Ingredient decoder

Benzisothiazolinone: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Benzisothiazolinone

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Preservative in the same family as common contact allergens.

  • Antimicrobial

Benzisothiazolinone in plain English

Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative from the same family as methylisothiazolinone, more common in household products than skincare. It can cause contact allergy in some people, especially those already sensitive to related preservatives. It does not clog pores, but it is worth avoiding if your skin reacts easily.

Is benzisothiazolinone bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Benzisothiazolinone is not a proven pore-clogger, but this preservative family is a well-known cause of skin allergies and irritation. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Benzisothiazolinone
  • BIT
  • 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one
  • 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2h)-one

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Frequently asked questions

Is benzisothiazolinone comedogenic?

Benzisothiazolinone has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does benzisothiazolinone do in skincare?

In short: preservative in the same family as common contact allergens. In formulas it is used for antimicrobial.

What else is benzisothiazolinone called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, benzisothiazolinone can also appear as BIT, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one or 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2h)-one.

Sources