So many everyday shampoos contain methylisothiazolinone, and possibly methylchlorisothiazolinone too, that the MI-sensitive consumer can struggle to find good, affordable shampoos — especially when first diagnosed, and additionally when requiring products free from other ingredients, such as fragrances.
Here is a modest selection. For more products, see also our Hair Directory.
The Body Shop Shampoo Range
The brand has a MI-free policy, so all shampoos (and other products, including their conditioners) are safe to use. The shampoos include Ginger Scalp Care, and very popular Banana Shampoo.
View the various international The Body Shop websites here — for the USA, for Canada, and for the UK.
Or browse their range at their The Body Shop Amazon Stores at the following links — in the USA, in Canada and in the UK.
Faith In Nature Fragrance Free Shampoo (400ml)
Faith in Nature are entirely MI-free, so all their shampoos (and conditioners) are safe, but for those with fragrance sensitivities, this particular product is ideal. It suits those who like a slightly soapy feel to their shampoo, and a foam, as this product has ALS (ammonium laureth sulphate) rather than SLS, but it is very unlikely to trigger any sensitivities at all as it has a very plain and simple formulation. You can find it at Amazon online, and in the UK in Holland and Barrett or direct from Faith in Nature.
Green People Neutral Scent Free Shampoo (200ml)
Another fragrance free option, and one which, like the Faith in Nature shampoo, uses a sulphate — although in this case it’s sodium coco sulphate, which has a better reputation among advocates of natural cosmetics than ALS. Again, the entire GP range is isothiazolinone-free, and this is ideal for those with sensitive skin and allergies — including food allergies, as only corn and coconut derivatives are used, alongside herbal botanicals. Learn more on the Green People site. Products are on Amazon; for other stockists in the UK contact GP directly. See also the Green People Australia store.
Hairprint (240ml)
Hairprint are an American brand of hair color restoring products, which are particularly innovative and wholly unique (for more, see our MI-free Hair Dye article). As well as this innovation, they also offer a set of four shampoos, which are also confirmed isothiazolinone-free. Their Bio-Active Kelp Shampoo (pictured right, along with matching conditioner), for instance, has the gentlest, most nourishing of ingredients — including aloe vera, coconut oil, coconut milk and vegetable glycerin — which is good for both dry scalps and hair that’s lost its usual bounce and edge. There’s also an Amla Butter Shampoo (for dandruff and scalp dryness).
JASON Aloe Vera Shampoo (473ml)
All of JASON shampoos (and conditioners) are safe, but if you’re looking for a particularly moisturising and gentle one, then the aloe vera option may be the one you lean towards. It is highly nourishing, with vitamins and minerals, and the plant-derived panthenols it boasts help with the all-important moisture retention. This is one of the most affordable brands out there. There are a dozen or so other shampoos in the JASON range — including a fragrance free version — and the brand is safely isothiazolinone-free. To buy, Walmart in the US sometimes have good deals or try Naturisimo in the UK.
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (300ml)
It won’t win any friends for its natural qualities, as it contains SLES and petrochemical derivatives and artificial fragrances / colorants, but it is MI free — as is their entire ‘baby’ range, as they confirm here. (This appears to be true of their brand across other nations, as their American Ingredients glossary does not list MI or MCI.) It’s also parabens free. Find it widely in high street stores.
Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoos (125ml)
This is a small collection of shampoos, including a fragrance free one for sensitive scalps. The ingredients for UK products can be seen here. They appear to be preserved with various non-isothiazolinone preservatives.
For the US versions, click here; they appear to use different preservatives to the UK products, such as TEA and DMDM hydantoin. They seem to be MI-free from the ingredients provided, but double check labels.
This all applies to the T/Gel products. Other Neutrogena shampoos should now be safe too, at least in the UK. There used to be an MI-containing Neutrogena shampoo called Triple Repair Fortifying Shampoo but this appears to have been discontinued (though old stock may still lurk on some shelves). The search function for the US website does not work for ingredients, but none that were checked contain isothiazolinones.
Odylique’s Gentle Herb Shampoo (20 / 200 / 500ml)
This product can divide opinion — a few people don’t seem to like it, but the many who do swear by it and are very faithful to it, as testified by the product being named best shampoo for sensitive scalps in the prestigious Guide des Meilleurs Cosmetiques 2015-16. It has also received a gold medal in the ‘Free From’ Skincare Awards Hair Care category. It’s a simple formula, with aloe vera, coconut and corn cleansers, plus herbs, and contains no fragrance allergens or other undesirable ingredients. It does not contain any sulphates, and uses gentle detergent coco glucoside instead. Free from food allergens such as wheat and nuts too. It’s a UK-based brand, so check out the product on their Suvarna website here (use ALLERGY15 for 15% discount across the whole site, which is MI/MCI-free). A 20ml tester sample is available for a small fee. You can also get it through Amazon in various countries.
QV Shampoos (200g)
These Australian shampoos — and conditioners — use parabens as preservatives and are safely MI free. Again, quite straightforward formulations, not particularly natural, but probably good for most with any kind of allergy or sensitivity. See the QV Skincare (Australia) site for more information.
Salcura Shampoos (200ml)
Two therapeutic shampoos especially formulated for problem scalps. One is the Omega Rich Shampoo for itchy scalps and psoriasis relief — which contains a variety of omega oils, has some excellent anecdotal reports of effectiveness, and is one of Salcura’s signature products. The other is a child’s shampoo, the Bioskin Junior Shampoo, which is for younger scalps prone to eczema and dryness. They use phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin preservatives, in place of the dreaded isothiazolinones, and have an MI-free policy across all their products, which include conditioners.
Caution!
Everyday high-street brands often contain MI, so take extreme care when shopping in regular supermarkets, stores and pharmacies.
TRESemmé is reported as being MI Free on some sites, but at least some of their products contain MI, both in UK and US.
The same goes for Garnier Fructis. In the US, these products contain it.
Further, at least some shampoos by Herbal Essences, John Frieda, Charles Worthington, Pantene and Head & Shoulders contain both MI and MCI.
This is a super helpful post – thank you.
Great to hear that I can safely shop in body shop too :0)
Thanks Fiona. Yes – they’re one of the few companies to make a MI statement on their site – https://help.thebodyshop.co.uk/help/products-and-services/Methylisothiazolinone – and wish more would follow suit – not only about MI / MCI, but about other allergens and ingredients too. Would be a great help!
I have many allergies and so does my son – he also has coeliac disease and currently uses Neutrogena T Gel for Sensitive Scalp – but has really bad dandruff – he has been to the doctors and got a stronger shampoo with no effect – any ideas what he could use (must not contain gluten or MI)
I am going to try Salcura Shampoo to see if that makes a difference
we have tried from really expensive ranges right through with no success
he is 14 and also has aspergers so is really conscious of his hair
Hi Monica,
Funnily enough coeliac is my other specialist subject! 🙂
Faith in Nature have an anti-dandruff mint shampoo that looks to be GF.
There’s this herbal and natural anti-dandruff shampoo from Handmade Naturals: http://www.handmadenaturals.co.uk/111/natural-herbal-anti-dandruff-shampoo
There’s also this more medicinal looking product called Nizoral, which I’d not come across before, but which appears to be both MI and gluten free. Though NB, it isn’t vegetarian: http://amzn.to/265xwth
Any good?
All the best,
Alex
I’ve been looking and still haven’t found a volumising shampoo and conditioner yet on the uk!
Hi Sylvia,
Not easy is it …
All I’ve managed to find is Silk Oil of Morocco Argan Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner:
https://www.silkoilofmorocco.co.uk/shop/argan-volumizing-shampoo/
and
https://www.silkoilofmorocco.co.uk/shop/argan-volumizing-conditioner/
They seem to use phenoxyethanol and other preservatives instead, such as ethylhexylglycerin in the shampoo. Look OK to me.
Anyone else got any more?
All the best,
Alex.
Thank you, I’ll give it a go
Hi. I’ve just been diagnosed as MI (and nickel) intolerant through hospital testing after many years. I’ve heard that DR Organics shampoos and conditioners are MI free – including a volumising rose scented version (smells like Turkish delight!). Hope I’m right with this? Spookily enough I’m also wheat and gluten intolerant having been diagnosed some 20 years ago – is there a connection?
Take care, Rx
Hello! Dr Organics that’s sold in Holland and Barrett? Yes, they are MI-free – across the board, I believe, but I can’t find the specific product you’re referring to. Do you have a link – and I can check it out to be sure?
I don’t think there’s any specific connection between dairy / gluten sensitivity and MI / nickel sensitivity, but they are all immune / allergy-related conditions, and there is some evidence that if you suffer from one immune condition you’re slightly more likely to suffer from others. I write and blog on food allergy and intolerance a lot, on my other blog – http://foodallergyandintolerance.blogspot.co.uk – which you might find of interest.
Thanks for stopping by!
All the best, Alex
Thanks Alex
Yes the ones sold by H&B. I’m referring to the Rose range of products. The Dr Organics website shows the full range but doesn’t appear to give details of ingredients…
http://www.drorganic.co.uk
I actually buy through Holland Barrett who do list the ingredients on their website. I also use the Moroccan Argan Oil, Pomegranate and Virgin Olive Oil versions of shampoo and conditioners on my long dark hair with oily roots and dry end.
Interestingly I took a look at the Body Shop yesterday and asked the assistants about MI – they didn’t have a clue what I was on about. Its a shame that they don’t educate their staff to help customers as it means they are losing out on business for something they positively do!
Thanks for the blog, I’ll take a look.
Take care. Rx
Hi Roen,
That doesn’t surprise me about Body Shop. High street and popular brands of cosmetics and the big beauty houses are just not very well tuned in to the needs of those with sensitivities, allergies or other concerns about ingredients. They’re all about the ‘beauty’ – rather than the ‘health’. The natural brands – those which are organic, or Soil Association registered, or ECOcert registered, or just use natural plant oils and extracts as much as possible – are far more aware of these issues.
In their (Body Shop’s) defence, as they don’t use MI, it’s possible that they assistants simply would never have encountered it. Boots and Superdrug – who sell methylisothiazolinone-containing products – and the big beauty houses who use MI and MCI, should really be expected to know about it, though, I’d hope!
All the best, Alex.
TRESemme is a definite no no for me…I suffer everytime I use any of their shampoos or conditioners.
Also tried Lidl range of shampoos and conditioners but they are very bad for me.
If you react to a lot of different shampoos / products, then it’s possible you have allergies or sensitivities to other ingredients – possibly preservatives, possibly fragrances …. You can only really find out through patch testing or allergy testing.
I’ve never looked at Lidl’s skincare products, but will do ….
I have found some Aveeno shampoos and conditioners are free from MI too.
Is methylparabens the same as mi and mci?
Hi Amy – no, absolutely not. See this article on the site: https://mi-free.com/articles/other-names-for-mi/
EcoStore products – available in New Zealand and Australia – beauty and household products – all MI free – see no nasty chemicals.org. Can recommend them – I suffer from MI allergies, diagnosed by patch testing.
Thanks Fran. I’ll look into them and add them to the directories on the site. It’s difficult for me (UK based) to get info from Aus / NZ, but very useful to have it.
beautyCounter (USA) products work and are MI free. but not voluminizing!
Thanks Annie – yes, Beauty Counter are an MI-free brand. I did a piece on volumizing conditioners – https://mi-free.com/volumising-conditioners/ – but may follow up with a piece on volumizing shampoos soon.
I have been using Pantene products for two years. I have had severe pain from
neuropathy since then and outbreaks of rosacea and adult acne. I will change my shampoo and conditioner to MIT free. Charlotte
I’m not sure your symptoms necessarily correspond to MI exposure. I really would strongly advise seeing a doctor about your symptoms, which may have nothing to do with cosmetics at all. Hope things work out.
Aren’t there at least a couple of MI-free shampoos that I can pick up at my local grocery or drug store in the U.S, and that are sold at a reasonable cost? I can’t afford expensive shampoos and conditioners, nor can I afford to pay for shipping. Could you please point me to products I can pick up at my local store that I can actually afford.
I’m not US-based, but I’ll flag up your request on social media, so hopefully someone can offer some suggestions!
Posted here, Karen – some suggestions starting to come in: https://www.facebook.com/mifree/posts/1948184405457844
Garnier:Fructis Sleek and Shine fortifying Shampoo is MI free
Thanks!
Aveeno has some that are MI free , gotta read the label though.
It’s so sad that people have to worry and double check every product they buy for safety. It should be a basic human right to be able to purchase food or hygiene products without worrying about unnecessary toxic chemicals and additives. It’s even worse in the US. The UK and EU has banned a lot of toxic products that the US still allows. Everyone at our FDA should be fired and tried for treason. Companies are killing us.
Chemicals are of course necessary to keep us safe. Toxicity is dose dependent, and varies between individual. They got it wrong in terms of concentration with regard to the isothiazolinones. Had they been used in far more diluted quantities, these epidemics wouldn’t have happened.
Any recommended all-in-one shampoo and conditioner in US?
That’s a good question … I’ll perhaps do a subsequent post on this. Meanwhile, I’ll ask via social media and point readers here to help you.
I just did a patch test and found out I have contact allergies to nickel, fragrance mix and MI/MCL. What purists to do recommend that encompasses all of this?
There are two usual patch tests for fragrance mix (I and II) – are you allergic to both? The frustrating thing about fragrance mix testing is that you may be allergic to just one or two in the mixes, not all, but you don’t know which without trial and error.
There are some fragrance free shampoos here, and I doubt any contain nickel traces. Nickel exposure usually due to metals / jewellery etc. https://mi-free.com/fragrance-free-shampoos/
Hello, I am new to dealing with this allergy but my hair line is particularly irritated.
Being very blonde I have swapped to Original and Mineral Conquer Blonde shampoo which doesn’t seem to have MI or MCI but I’m trying to work out what is still irritating me? Here is the ingredients, does Methyl Glucose Dioleate live in the same world? Thanks!
Aqua, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Disetearate & Laureth-4, Polyquarternium-7, Dicocoyl Pentaerytl Distearyl Citrate, Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Aloe Vera Gel*, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polyquarternium-10, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Mica, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Parfum, Citric Acid, FD&C Blue 1 & Red 40.
Methyl-other are not methylisothiazolinone, and are unrelated. This article explains more: https://mi-free.com/articles/other-names-for-mi/
Is this a European label or a non-European? I would be inclined to guess that perhaps the parfum is ‘hiding’ some fragrance which you react to, but also the ‘cinnamate’ is quite a reactive group of ingredients, related to cinnamon and balsam of peru allergy, I believe. Finally if you have nut allergies, there’s macadamia here. They would be my first guess, but even the gentle detergents (such as decal glucoside) could cause reactions. It’s very difficult to know. Also the colours or the citric acid.
Sorry … not much help. Did you have extensive patch testing? Did it only identify MI / MCI?
What a great website! Wow, thank you for all these infos! I was wondering if you have ever checked on the brand AMIKA?
Its a professional haircare brand and they say they have no MIT – Methylisothiazolinone neither MCI – Methylchloroisothiazolinone. On top, no sulfate, no phtalate , no artificial color, vegan AND cruelty free…. Almost the perfection!! Let me know if you ever manage to find out on your side 🙂
Thanks for the tip, Marie. I will check them out.
I can use most L’Oreal Elvive shampoos and conditioners ~ they use a different preservative, so if you only have a problem with MI/MCI, they are good. I used to be able to use Tesco’s ‘Pure’ fabric softener, but they have recently changed to MI as the preservative; however if you check old stock some of that is still available. (In my local store it is the two and a half litre size.) Any recommendations for a biological washing liquid? Again, my chosen brand has changed its preservative to MI this year.
Out of curiosity which is that brand which has changed? For laundry detergents, I have a listing here, but I think most supermarket brands are unsafe (or at least were last time I checked). https://mi-free.com/household/laundry/
in the US try Gain too. I had to switch when I found out that All free and Clear isn’t exactly free and clear it has MI in it
Ariel ~ to be fair I think it was my error. The Ariel Actilift Gel is still listed as not using MI/MCI, so I think I probably bought that for a long time and at some stage I probably swapped to Ariel Gel without realising until I began to react to the chemical. Off to the local supermarket to check them all again! I checked the shampoo last week, so that should still be OK.
Apologies ~ in the 4th March comment, where I said I could use most L’Oreal shampoos, I should have said most L’Oreal Elvive shampoos.
Thanks Jayne – I edited it to add the Elvive.
Hi I have discovered through patch tests that I am allergic to Methylisothiazolinone and Linalool. I am finding it almost impossible to find shampoos, conditioners, bathing products and skincare product that don’t have one or both these ingredients in them. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
All products listed in the Cosmetics drop-down are MI free, but not all will be linalool-free. Try fragrance-free options, as linalool is a component of lots of fragrances. The blogger Sugarpuffish (www.sugarpuffish.uk) is allergic to MI and linalool so you may find some good recommendations on her site too.
I found some of the Aveeno shampoos and conditioners are made without MI. The Garnier Pure line is also missing MI. The tough thing to find is sunscreen made without it.
Here are some sunscreen suggestions: https://mi-free.com/mi-free-sunscreen-and-sun-cream/
I found Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry touch 55 SPF without MI
Kelly, I have the same problem with Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone. The product line of Defy Damage by Joico is WONDERFUL!!! I use the shampoo, hair mask AND protective shield and my hair has never been better. I don’t like the conditioner so I’m back to trying to find a decent one that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t have these two ingredients. The Joico line can be found at Ulta as well as ordered online from them. Ulta often has deals and discounts for this line, but I promise you that you will not be disappointed. I’m not sure if it’s Linalool-free tho….I know for a fact it’s Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone free. Good luck….
I have purchased Joico defy damage from your advice a have found it does have Methlisothiazolinone in it as listed on the ingredients whether this has changed since you first posted I don’t know just wouldn’t want anyone else to waste their money 🙂
Thank you so much for putting this site together and providing this service!
You’re welcome, Noreen – thanks for taking the time to comment! It helps keep me going 🙂
Best wishes – Alex.
Hi,
I have silvery grey hair which is quite dry and dull. I’m allergic to M1 and MC1 having tried Pantene, Herbal Essences, Timotei and had itching scalp. Can you recommend an affordable shampoo and conditioner for my type of hair which also won’t load it with lots of chemicals which I think also make it look dull?
Hi Andrea. There are lots of lists of various types here: https://mi-free.com/cosmetics/hair-products/
Finding an MI-free shampoo 8 years ago was so difficult, but when I did it changed my life! What’s more, the one I settled on has been fabulous for my previously dry hair. I have NO split ends; none, zip. It’s very expensive, but I use it so sparingly that I can make the tiny bottle last for about 9 months (washing my longish hair daily). It’s not on your lists as far as I could see, so I thought I’d add the brand in here in case it helped someone else too: RAHUA. All their products are safe and lovely.
Thanks Robyn.
Please with sensitivities to hair products (like me) should stay away from DMDM HYDANTOIN….this is formaldehyde and can cause hair loss and other problems. Neutrogena T/Gel shampoo listed here has that product. I only use Neutrogena Clear a few times a month to remove product build-up. Stay away from both Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone ingredients…these also cause hair loss. I’m still searching for a good quality conditioner (I already found a good shampoo, but didn’t like the lines conditioner). I appreciate this site for helping to guide us to the right products.
Hi Babs. I’m not sure there is any research to suggest these preservatives cause hair loss, though feel free to direct me to published and peer-reviewed papers. The EWG (in case you sourced your information from them) is not a source I fully trust. There are several articles on conditioners here on the site, which you can click through to from this post: https://mi-free.com/cosmetics/hair-products/
Best wishes, Alex.
In UK I’ve been using Superdrug shampoos, MI free for years since having a bad reaction to Garnier face cream. Also use Epaderm as a moisturiser for face and body with children’s suncream for face in sunnier months. I was able to advise a relative who had terrible face redness who used Garnier and was prescribed antibiotics and some kind of cream with no success. Using Epaderm, she was cured and told her doctor as much
Inecto Coconut Shampoo contains NO MI, MCI, Alpha-isomethyl Ionone, Linaloon or Geraniol.
The same is true for the matching conditioner, and at £1.49 for 500 ml it is a bargain. Available at Savers UK, and I think it is in Home Bargains as well.
That’s a bargain all right! Thanks Noel for sharing.
In Iceland
Tresemmé shampoo and conditioner has mi in it 🙁
Also the brand MilkShake has mi also in it.
Thanks for this information, Edda.