Amended Safety Assessment of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone as Used in Cosmetics

Abstract

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reassessed the safety of the mixture Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/Methylisothiazolinone (MI), which functions as a preservative in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant animal and human data provided in this safety assessment, and data from the previously published safety assessment of this mixture, and concluded that MCI/MI is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be nonsensitizing, based on the results of a quantitative risk assessment or similar methodology; however, at no point should concentrations exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products or 15 ppm in rinse-off products.