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Answer: Methylisothiazolinone is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: wet wipes, shampoo, liquid soap.
TL;DR: Methylisothiazolinone is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (preservatives).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Methylisothiazolinone. CAS 2682-20-4.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | wet wipes, shampoo, liquid soap |
| CAS number | 2682-20-4 |
Methylisothiazolinone is a preservative (MIT) used in water-based products.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
A potent contact allergen behind an epidemic of skin allergies. The EU banned it in leave-on products and limits rinse-off use; US use is far less restricted.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Methylisothiazolinonewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Methylisothiazolinone is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Methylisothiazolinone can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Methylisothiazolinone automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Methylisothiazolinone.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Methylisothiazolinone or other ingredients banned overseas.
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