Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

Also known as: MIT, MI, methylisothiazolinone

Varies by useunder our published method

Varies by use. The concern our method flags differs by product type and market — see the per-use verdicts below.

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Methylisothiazolinone is a preservative used in some rinse-off personal-care and household-style products.

Why people ask

People ask because EU rules distinguish leave-on and rinse-off cosmetic uses rather than giving MIT one global chip.

What our method flags — by use

Cosmetic · EU leave-on cosmetics

For EU leave-on cosmetics, our method rates MIT as higher-concern because the EU rule removes leave-on use from the permitted preservative scope.

The EU restricted by Regulation (EU) 2016/1198 methylisothiazolinone use in cosmetics, removing leave-on uses from the permitted preservative scope.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
European Union / EUR-Lex	The EU restricted by Regulation (EU) 2016/1198 methylisothiazolinone use in cosmetics, removing leave-on uses from the permitted preservative scope.	authority_regulatory	2016-07-22	source
European Union / EUR-Lex	The EU restricted by Regulation (EU) 2016/1198 methylisothiazolinone in cosmetics by separating permitted rinse-off use from leave-on products.	authority_regulatory / --	2016-07-22	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Fair (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

Cosmetic · EU rinse-off cosmetics

For EU rinse-off cosmetics, our method rates MIT as moderate-concern: permitted, but the EU tightened the maximum concentration to 0,0015 % (15 ppm) in 2017.

The EU listed by Regulation (EU) 2016/1198 methylisothiazolinone in a restricted rinse-off cosmetic preservative scope.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
European Union / EUR-Lex	The EU listed by Regulation (EU) 2016/1198 methylisothiazolinone in a restricted rinse-off cosmetic preservative scope.	authority_regulatory	2016-07-22	source
European Union / EUR-Lex	The EU restricted by Regulation (EU) 2017/1224 methylisothiazolinone in rinse-off cosmetics to a maximum of 0,0015 % (15 ppm), based on the SCCS contact-allergy opinion.	authority_regulatory / --	2017-07-06	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Fair (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, MIT varies by use: leave-on cosmetics and rinse-off cosmetics render separate concern bands.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

Common questions

Why not use one MIT verdict?: The EU rule is product-type-specific, so the page keeps leave-on and rinse-off scopes separate.

This is what Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.