How does Kathon CG in cosmetics work?
Kathon CG preservative, also known as Isothiazolinone, was first developed by the American company Rohm and Haas in 1972. It is an internationally recognized safe, efficient, broad-spectrum new preservative and fungicide on the premise of compliance. It is widely used in daily chemicals, coatings and other fields, and of course also includes the cosmetics field.
Kathon CG in cosmetics is one of the most common additives. It has been used in cosmetics for decades since its invention in the 1970s. This article will tell readers how does Kathon CG in cosmetics work through a comprehensive introduction.
Kathon CG is a highly effective bactericide and preservative, a brown transparent liquid that can be used to preserve cosmetic formulas or raw materials. The chemical formula is C₈H₉ClN₂O₂S₂, which is mainly composed of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.
The active ingredients in KATHON CG Preservative are isothiazolinones identified by the INCI names Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. KATHON CG Preservative is a precise formulation of active ingredients and inert salts in an aqueous solution.
Kathon CG works by breaking the protein bonds of bacteria and algae. After Kathon CG comes into contact with microorganisms, it can quickly and irreversibly inhibit their growth, leading to the death of microbial cells. Therefore, it has a strong inhibitory and killing effect on common bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., and can effectively against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast and mold.
Common Kathon CG fungicides include: 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-One, 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazoline-3-one, 2-Octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, their common characteristics are strong antibacterial ability, small application dosage, good compatibility, low toxicity, etc., and they have strong resistance to a variety of bacteria and fungi, high efficiency, good compatibility, wide pH range and can be naturally biodegraded.
Kathon CG is widely used in daily chemicals, steel smelting, oil field water injection, refineries, thermal power plants, large fertilizer plants, paper mills, light textiles, water-based coatings, industrial cleaning and other fields.
Application of Kathon CG in daily chemical products
Kathon CG inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi during the production and storage process of cosmetics, personal care products, lotions, emulsions and other aqueous systems and other water-containing organic products. It is suitable for shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, shower gel and other skin care products. It can also be used in all-purpose cleaners, floor and furniture polishes and waxes, car washes, polishes and waxes, air fresheners, wet sponges and towels.Kathon CG is effective at low concentrations and over a wide pH range and is compatible with a variety of surfactants and emulsifiers. It is approved for use worldwide.
Kathon CG in cosmetics does not impart color or odor and has no bioaccumulate and biodegrades rapidly. However, it should be noted that the maximum allowable concentration of Kathon CG when used in cosmetics is 0.0015%, and is calculated as a 3:1 mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone.
Kathon CG in cosmetics has the disadvantage that it has a higher allergy rate than other preservatives and is not very friendly to people with skin inflammation. So its use is restricted in some countries due to its potential to cause allergic reactions, but it is considered acceptable and safe at low concentrations in rinse-off products such as detergents.
Through this article, readers have learned about the chemical properties, chemical action principles, characteristics, applications, etc. of Kathon CG. The most important thing is to learn more about how does Kathon CG in cosmetics work through the above information.Kathon CG in cosmetics helps inhibit bacterial growth and ensures that many daily chemical products, including cosmetics, are fresh and non-perishable. At the same time, when purchasing cosmetics, users can check whether the added amount of Kathon CG complies with regulations through the ingredient list to ensure it is harmless to the skin.
2026-10-24
Trade Alert
Delivering the latest product trends and industry news straight to your inbox.
(We'll never share your email address with a third-party.)
Related News
-
Major Fire Hits China-Russia Joint 2.7 Million T/Y Polyolefins Project, Killing 6 Chinese Nationals and Injuring 152 People
-
Wanhua's BorsodChem Restarts 650,000 T/Y of MDI and TDI Capacity in Europe
-
Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Perm Refinery Again, Forcing Crude Unit Offline at 260,000-BPD Facility
-
European Diesel Crack Spread Hits Record $74.66 per Barrel as Global Refinery Outages Mount
-
Global Chemical Giants Accelerate Plant Closures and Layoffs as Industry Enters Structural Capacity Rationalization
-
Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Ryazan Refinery Again, Setting 17-Million-Tonne Facility Ablaze
-
Wanhua Chemical Raises Southeast Asia MDI and TDI Offers by $200 per Tonne
-
$530 Million Lawsuit Unheard, $76 Million Counterclaim Filed: Is Qicai Chemical’s ‘Reputation Defense’ a Desperate Last Stand or a Calculated PR Gambit?
-
Alipay, Baidu, and iFlytek Win Big—As the Government Spends $1.1 Billion on AI Healthcare, Is This a Lifeline or a Feeding Frenzy for Tech Giants?
-
Arkema Triples Transparent Polyamide Capacity in Singapore: a Bet on Virtual Reality Growth or a Move to Strengthen Supply Resilience?
Recommend Reading
-
Chemours Sells Its Former Titanium Dioxide Site in Taiwan: Turning a “White Powder” Factory into “Wind Power Real Estate” for $360 Million—Buying Not Cash, But Breathing Room
-
The “Counter-Wind Ledger” of CHF 11.2 Billion: Sika Barely Grew in 2025—Yet Kept Taking Market Share
-
Celanese Raises Acetyl Chain Prices Globally, VAM Up $150/MT in Latin America
-
U.S. 10% Temporary Tariff Expires, New Section 301 Tariffs Not Yet Implemented
-
Middle East Conflict Pushes Up Oil Prices as More Than 100 Chemical Raw Materials Rise in Concentration
-
Crude Oil + Maintenance Boosts PTA Prices to Rise Amidst Volatility in July
-
U.S. Imposes 12.5% Additional Tariff! Nutritional Ingredients Including Creatine, Taurine, and Glucosamine Included in New Section 301 Tariff List
-
Premium Global Chemical Sourcing Requests (23-26Apr, 2026)
-
Premium Global Chemical Sourcing Requests (27-29July, 2026)
-
In July, the Chinese anhydrous hydrogen fluoride market showed an upward trend