Common Name(s): Mit,kathon,neolone
CAS Number: 2682-20-4
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides highly potent broad-spectrum preservation at very low concentrations in rinse-off formulations.
Why It's Used: Most potent cosmetic preservative โ mit provides effective preservation at concentrations 10-100ร lower than most other preservatives, enabling clean-label preservation at minimal ingredient load.
How It Works: Electrophilic isothiazolinone ring reacts with bacterial thiol enzymes (glutathione, coa-dependent enzymes) via michael addition for rapid kill. very potent โ mic vs e. coli 0.06ฮผg/ml (vs phenoxyethanol mic ~400ฮผg/ml โ 6000ร more potent). rapidly biodegradable.
Typically Found In: Rinse-off shampoos,body washes,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ isothiazolinone preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.0015%โ0.0015% (max 15ppm eu rinse-off)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu regulation 2014/1298: mit banned from leave-on products. max 15ppm in rinse-off only. contact sensitiser โ causes occupational dermatitis epidemic in hairdressers and consumers. sccs noted no safe level for leave-on. 2016 eu restriction driven by major sensitisation epidemic.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Mit's sensitisation epidemic (2010-2015) is one of the most significant cosmetic safety events in modern dermatology: a dramatic increase in contact allergy patch test positive rates from <1% (2005) to 7% (2015) in the eu was directly traceable to the widespread introduction of mit in leave-on products. this epidemic prompted the fastest eu cosmetic regulatory action in history and demonstrates the critical importance of patch test surveillance in monitoring emerging cosmetic allergens.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,eu regulation 2014/1298,yazar et al. mit sensitisation epidemic study