Ingredient

SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE

Name / description

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate; N-(Hydroxymethyl)glycine, Sodium Salt

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

PRESERVATIVE

Protects cosmetic products from microbial spoilage

Origin

animal/synthetic

Occurrence in cosmetics

Use of this ingredient in cosmetics has been prohibited due to restrictions imposed by EU chemicals legislation, REACH.

Background information on use in cosmetics

The sodium salt of N-(hydroxymethyl) glycine is a so-called formaldehyde releaser. Formaldehyde releasers continuously release a low amount of formaldehyde in the finished cosmetic product and deploy their preservative effect in this way.

Why are we talking about it?

These substances release formaldehyde which is classified as a carcinogen. Formaldehyde is also known to induce/elicit allergies (sensitisation). The facts: The use of Formaldehyde as such in cosmetic products has been banned. It is known to be a sensitiser (contact eczema) and is classified as a carcinogen. However, use of Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives is continued to be explicitly permitted. The latter are strictly regulated, like all preservatives, and the permitted maximum concentrations of releasers ensure that the content of free Formaldehyde in cosmetic products is limited to a very low level. This resulting free Formaldehyde level is considered safe by several expert committees (European, Danish, American) (1, 2, 3) especially as percutaneous penetration of Formaldehyde is insignificant. Key points to take away: In view of the severe restrictions imposed on the use of formaldehyde releasing preservatives in cosmetic products, the resulting concentrations of free formaldehyde in the final products are controlled to remain very low. These preservatives are therefore considered safe by the experts. As an additional legal restriction, all cosmetic products containing free Formaldehyde from formaldehyde releasers above a defined low threshold must be labelled "Releases formaldehyde". Thus, people who are allergic to Formaldehyde are advised to avoid exposure towards their allergen (1) by carefully reading the product labels. Sources: (1) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: Advice SCCS/1632/21 (2) Survey and health and environmental assessment of preservatives in cosmetic products - The Danish Environmental Protection Agency, 2015 Survey of chemical substances in consumer products No. 138, 2015: https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2015/05/978-87-93352-19-3.pdf (3) CIR - Amended Safety Assessment of Formaldehyde and Methylene Glycol as Used in Cosmetics - Ivan J et al. - International Journal of Toxicology 32(Suppl. 4):5-32, 2013

Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

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