Shampoos Safe for Methylisothiazolinone (MI) Allergy

Extended Series6.3% of population affectedUpdated March 2026

Methylisothiazolinone (MI) allergy can be diagnosed with a Extended Patch Test Series at your dermatologist.

Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a preservative that became widely used in rinse-off products like cleansers and shampoos before being recognized as a significant contact sensitizer. The EU banned MI from leave-on cosmetics in 2014 and restricted concentrations in rinse-off products in 2017. Despite this, MI remains present in many products sold in North America. Every product listed here has been verified free from both methylisothiazolinone and its closely related compound methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).

Note

MI and MCI are different chemical compounds but are patch-tested and avoided together. We exclude both from all results on this page. If your patch test report lists "MCI/MI" or "Kathon CG," you are sensitive to both.

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824 shampoos safe for Methylisothiazolinone (MI) allergy

How we check for Methylisothiazolinone (MI)

We exclude any product whose INCI ingredient list contains methylisothiazolinone (MI) or methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI/CMIT). These two preservatives are closely related and frequently co-occur in formulations — sensitivity to one strongly predicts sensitivity to the other. Source: NACDG Standard Series and EU Cosmetics Regulation.

People with Methylisothiazolinone (MI) allergy often also avoid:

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Methylisothiazolinone (MI)-safe products in other categories:

Moisturizers783Cleansers842Sunscreens299Foundations107Concealers107Serums42Deodorants707Eye Products25