Ingredients any harmful
methylchloroisothiazolinone methylisothiazolinone skin harmful face wash
| Ingredient | Concern Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) / Methylisothiazolinone (MI) | 🔴 HIGH | Most concerning ingredient. A preservative known to cause allergic contact dermatitis in many people. Triggered an "epidemic" of skin allergies (per DermNet NZ). Banned in leave-on products in Europe. In a rinse-off face wash it is permitted but still risky for sensitive skin. |
| Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) | 🟡 MODERATE | A foaming agent that can strip natural skin oils and irritate sensitive or dry skin. Generally considered safe but harsh for some people. |
| Triethanolamine | 🟡 MODERATE | pH adjuster; can cause skin irritation in some individuals. At high concentrations, long-term use raises some safety questions. |
| Propylene Glycol | 🟡 LOW-MODERATE | Humectant; safe at normal cosmetic concentrations but can cause irritation in people with sensitive skin. |
| Imidazolidinyl Urea | 🟡 MODERATE | A preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde as a byproduct, which can be an allergen/irritant for some people. |
| Dimethyl Dimethylol Hydantoin (DMDM Hydantoin) | 🟡 MODERATE | Another formaldehyde-releasing preservative - same concern as imidazolidinyl urea. Having both in one product increases exposure. |
| PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil / PEG-8 | 🟢 LOW | PEG compounds are generally safe in rinse-off products, but may be contaminated with trace impurities (ethylene oxide) during manufacturing. |
| Phenoxyethanol | 🟢 LOW | Widely used preservative, considered safe at ≤1%. Rarely causes irritation. |
| Disodium EDTA | 🟢 LOW | Chelating agent, generally well tolerated. |
| CI 42090 / CI 19140 | 🟢 LOW | Synthetic dyes (Blue 1, Yellow 5). Generally safe in rinse-off products. |