Methylchloroisothiazolinone

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Methylchloroisothiazolinone?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Methylchloroisothiazolinone use with caution for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults and teens: this preservative can cause skin allergies in some people. It is allowed in some products but is restricted or banned for leave-on use in several countries. Rinse-off products (like shampoos or body washes) usually carry less risk than leave-on products.

What to Do

If you have sensitive skin or a known preservative allergy, avoid products that list Methylchloroisothiazolinone (also seen as MI/CMI or Kathon). For new products, try a small patch on your inner arm and wait 24–48 hours before regular use. Prefer rinse-off formulations if you choose a product containing it. Stop use right away if you get redness, itching, or a rash.

⚠️Warnings

Do not use products with this ingredient on irritated or broken skin. Regulators and safety review panels (for example Health Canada and cosmetic safety reviews) have restricted or banned its use in some products because of allergic reactions. Watch for signs of an allergic reaction—redness, itching, blistering, or swelling—and seek medical advice if these occur. Published case reports, including reactions from wet wipes, show that contact allergy can happen after repeated or prolonged exposure.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Immune system: There is moderate to strong evidence this chemical can trigger immune reactions in the skin. Human reviews and safety assessments report it as a skin allergen, and case reports include children with allergic contact dermatitis after exposure.
Eczema: Documented cases show this ingredient caused allergic contact dermatitis in babies (for example, reactions linked to baby wipes), and industry safety reviews list strong evidence of skin allergy risk—so it can trigger or worsen eczema in sensitive children.
Irritant: Reports and workplace health evaluations describe it as a possible skin, eye, or lung irritant and skin sensitizer, so it can cause redness, itching, or rashes on sensitive baby skin.
Banned: Several government reviews and safety opinions restrict or prohibit its use in some cosmetics (for example, actions and limits noted by national health authorities and regulatory safety panels), so it is banned or tightly limited in some countries or product types.
Absorbed: Safety notes flag enhanced skin absorption for this ingredient, which means it can get through the skin more readily and reach the body after topical use.
Builds Up: While some regulatory assessments report low persistence, other reviews raise moderate concern about persistence and accumulation; because of mixed findings, there is a real chance it could build up with repeated exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Methylchloroisothiazolinone

This ingredient may also be listed as:

methylchloroisothiazolinoneUNII-15O9QS218W COMPONENT DHNRXBZYEKSXIM-UHFFFAOYSA-NQ204121Q-92565-CHLORO-2-METHYL-4-ISOTHIAZOLIN-3-ONE (ACTIVE INGREDIENT >14%, CMI/MI 2.5 - 4.0)X59285-CHLORO-2-METHYL-2,3-DIHYDRO-1,2-THIAZOL-3-ONEDB-007017SR-01000944864W-107193SR-01000944864-1METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Methylchloroisothiazolinone

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Methylchloroisothiazolinone or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Methylchloroisothiazolinone safety and effects.

Common Questions About Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Is this safe for adults to use Methylchloroisothiazolinone?

Use caution with Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the immune system risks of Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults?

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the eczema risks of Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions.

What are the irritant risks of Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the banned risks of Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the absorbed risks of Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream.

What are the builds up risks of Methylchloroisothiazolinone for adults?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use.

What products contain Methylchloroisothiazolinone?

Methylchloroisothiazolinone is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can adults using products with Methylchloroisothiazolinone?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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