However, methylisothiazolinone has become very common in hygiene and beauty products.
Why ? Simply because it is the conservative fashionable, the one who officially replaced the parabens. The concern is that it is not really better.
In fact, it may be even worse … I suggest you take stock to avoid using this ingredient.
Methylisothiazolinone, commonly called “MIT”, has earned a strange reputation.
In 2013 already, French dermatologists have publicly decried this ingredient as one of the most likely to cause skin irritation.
Not only he and his peers (the ingredients that end up “isothiazolinone”) are very irritating, but some studies even attribute neurotoxic effects to them.
Scientists have conducted laboratory research on rat brains. They found that brief exposure to methylisothiazolinone caused damage to both nerve cells and vision [1].
Despite these phenomena that should alert us, methylisothiazolinone is present in a quantity of so-called “rinsed” products, such as shampoos, shower gels and washing gels.
What exactly is MIT?
In the family of preservatives, methylisothiazolinone is a potent biocidal agent. It is able to kill harmful microorganisms in a product, or to limit its proliferation.
Contrary to what one might believe, it does not date from yesterday.
It just came back when the manufacturers looked for alternatives to parabens, too easily identifiable on the labels by consumers concerned about their health.
Why is MIT used?
Cosmetics manufacturers will tell you: “Do not panic, we are dosing very little methylisothiazolinone. What is also expressly recommended by the authorities, as this conservative has an irritating potential.
And to add “it is used in products to rinse … You will agree that it is necessary to find a mode of conservation for the cosmetics which contain a lot of water. Since parabens are no longer welcome, MIT is needed. It is not too expensive and very effective. “
However, my question has been the same for several years: why not use other conservatives softer and less polemical?
Because they exist: they have been used for several years by certified organic or natural brands.
But they are more expensive and a little more complex to formulate.

Better consumption in 4 steps:
1-Before buying a cosmetic product, always read the list of INCI ingredients. It must appear on the packaging of the product, even if it is sometimes a little hidden.
2-Read the complicated words and especially try to avoid the following, which designate polemical conservatives. Attention, there are many: BHT, BHA, EDTA, triclosan, phenoxyethanol, benzophenone, -paraben-, … and methyl / or other / -isothiazolinone!
3-If the exercise is too difficult, trust a recognized organic label
4-Not convinced? Just try to wash your body and hair with the least processed products possible: rhassoul type clay, eggs, slightly vinegar water, floral water, or of course the real handmade cold soap.

Source
Manon Lambesc