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The Daily Insight

What is Mi free

Author

Sophia Dalton

Updated on April 13, 2026

Welcome to MI Free. MI Free is dedicated to allergy to the preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI) and its relatives, such as methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), which are found widely in cosmetics, toiletries, household cleaning products and other products such as paints.

Is Methylisothiazolinone harmful?

Methylisothiazolinone is moderately to highly acutely toxic in oral, dermal, eye irritation, dermal irritation, and inhalation acute toxicity studies. The use of methylisothiazolinone in the manufacture of paper, paperboard, and adhesives which may contact food is regulated by FDA.

What is MI in skincare?

Rising rates of allergy have been noted due to the preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI). This preservative is commonly found in skin and hair care products, especially wipes.

What products have no Methylisothiazolinone?

  • AspenClean (Canada / US)
  • Bio-D (US)
  • Biofactor (Canada)
  • Charlie’s Soap (US)
  • Earthview (US)
  • Eco Nuts Soap.
  • Fit Organic (US)
  • Greenshield Organic (US)

Is Methylisothiazolinone bad for hair?

Methylisothiazolinone. A common preservative in hair products, linked to lung toxicity, allergic reactions, and possible neurotoxicity.

What is Mi allergy?

What is MI? Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a preservative used in baby wipes and other personal products, which is currently causing an appreciable number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy skin rash. Preservatives like MI are needed in moist wipes to prevent bacterial contamination.

Is Methylisothiazolinone bad for your skin?

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), especially when paired with methylisothiazolinone (MI), is an effective preservative. In high concentrations it can be a skin irritant and even cause chemical burns.

Does Cetaphil contain methylisothiazolinone?

SkinSAFE has reviewed the ingredients of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, 16 oz and found it to be hypoallergenic and free of Fragrance, Gluten, Nickel, Top Common Allergy Causing Preservatives, Lanolin, MCI/MI, Topical Antibiotic, Soy, Oil, Irritant/Acid, and Dye. Product is Lip Safe.

Does CeraVe contain methylisothiazolinone?

Importantly, many Neutrogena (eg, Ultra Sheer Body Mist and Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 30, 45, and 55) and CeraVe sunscreens (eg, Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45 and Sunscreen Stick SPF 50) do not contain isothiazolinones.

Do baby wipes contain methylisothiazolinone?

Some baby wipes contain a preservative ingredient called methylisothiazolinone (MI), which can cause an allergic reaction if left on your baby’s skin, Sabina Wizemann, Senior Chemist in the Health, Beauty and Environmental Sciences Lab explains. … Children can have significant reactions to methylisothiazolinone.

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What products contain MI?

  • Body Washes/Hand Soaps/Moisturizers.
  • Cleaners.
  • Hair Products. • Hair Dyes. • Shampoos. • Conditioners.
  • Paint.
  • Pet Care.
  • Yard Care Products.

Is methylchloroisothiazolinone a paraben?

As a consequence, parabens were present in nearly 70% of cosmetic products, until they were questioned recently. … Now, Methylisothiazolinone is one of the most frequently used preservatives in various paraben free toiletries (cleaning wipes, soaps, shampoos), but also in several household and industrial products.

Where does contact dermatitis start?

Contact dermatitis usually occurs on areas of your body that have been directly exposed to the reaction-causing substance — for example, along a calf that brushed against poison ivy or under a watchband. The rash usually develops within minutes to hours of exposure and can last two to four weeks.

Does head and shoulders have mi?

Note that many (but not all) varieties of perhaps the most famous anti-dandruff haircare products — Head & Shoulders — do contain MI / MCI. … I think it’s worth avoiding even the MI-free ones to eliminate any risk of confusion between products.

What ingredient is bad for hair?

Though several hair care brands promise beautiful, shiny, lustrous locks, their products are often loaded with toxic ingredients such as Sulfates, Triclosan, Silicones, Parabens and many more. These chemicals take away your hair’s natural oils, cause severe damage to your hair shaft and can be carcinogenic!

What brands are bad for your hair?

  • Pantene.
  • Head & Shoulders.
  • TRESemmé
  • Aussie.
  • Mane ‘n Tail.
  • Dove.
  • Garnier Fructis.
  • Suave.

Does nail polish contain methylisothiazolinone?

We exclude the 10 toxic chemicals that are typically found in nail polishes: Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP), Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and Parabens.

What is methylisothiazolinone in skin care?

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a preservative that is found in a wide array of liquid cosmetics, personal care products and cleaning products on the market today. Its function is to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Where is methylisothiazolinone banned?

Methylisothiazolinone will be banned in body lotions, deodorants, and other leave-on cosmetics sold in the European Union later this year. The European Commission’s Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products voted in favor of the preservative’s ban earlier this month.

Is Benzisothiazolinone safe?

We use benzisothiazolinone in several of our products as a biodegradable preservative that is a better alternative to formaldehyde, methylisothiazolinone, and medium-chain triglycerides. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considers the ingredient safe when used as a preservative up to 0.01% in cosmetics.

Is contact dermatitis an inflammatory skin disease?

Contact dermatitis (CD) is an inflammatory skin disease caused by chemicals or metal ions that exert irritant (toxic) effects, or by small reactive chemicals (contact allergens) that modify proteins and induce immune responses (predominantly by T-cell response) (1).

What products contain MCI MI?

CosmeticsPharmaceutical/self-hygiene productsHousehold/industrial productsBronzers/self-tannersShampoo/conditionersFabric softeners/ washing detergentsEye shadowsBubble bathsPolishesMascarasSoaps/hand washes/body washesPesticidesMake-up removersBaby wet wipesPaints

Why is CeraVe bad?

Overall Rating: Bad Several CeraVe products contain potentially-harmful ingredients like parabens and chemical sunscreens, although the brand makes no claims about being clean.

Did CeraVe remove parabens?

Cerave confirmed on their US website that they have changed the formula & removed parabens. They are currently updating the labels.

Does Dove bar soap contain methylisothiazolinone?

NOT SAFE – USA 2016 – All of the Dove body washes contain MI, even the “Sensitive” version. Their solid soap bars are ok though.

Is Cetaphil MI free?

Recommended by dermatologists for over 65 years. It is oil-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

Does Dulux paint contain methylisothiazolinone?

: Contains 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, methylisothiazolinone, C(M)IT/MIT(3:1) and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyldec-5-yne-4,7-diol.

Does TRESemme have Methylisothiazolinone?

TRESemme is reported as being MI Free on some sites, but at least some of their products contain MI, both in UK and US. The same goes for Garnier Fructis. In the US, these products contain it.

Do Pampers Sensitive wipes contain methylisothiazolinone?

Do Pampers baby wipes or diapers contain the ingredients methylisothiazolinone or methylchloroisothiazolinone (also known as Neolone, Kathon, MI, MCI)? We do not use methylisothiazolinone or methylchloroisothiazolinone in our diapers and wipes.

Do Huggies wipes contain methylisothiazolinone?

Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes contain parabens and methylisothiazolinone. This is a particularly egregious use of the word “natural.” Update: In 2014, the ingredients of Huggies Natural Care were updated, and they ditched the parabens and methylisothiazolionone.

Why you should not use baby wipes?

They can irritate the skin by causing friction, especially if the child already has a condition such as diarrhoea or an allergic rash. The other way wipes can cause irritation is from certain ingredients in the wipes, including preservatives.