DMDM HYDANTOIN

Name / description

DMDM Hydantoin; Dimethyloldimethylhydantoin, 1,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

FRAGRANCE FUNCTIONAL

Functional ingredient (excipient) of perfume oils and / or flavours

PRESERVATIVE

Protects cosmetic products from microbial spoilage

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Origin

synthetic

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Occurrence in cosmetics

Various preserved cosmetics

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Background information on use in cosmetics

DMDM Hydantoin is a so-called formaldehyde releaser. Preservatives protect cosmetic products against microbial spoilage and hence make a major contribution to consumer health. Preservatives are particularly required in cosmetic formulations containing water, because microorganisms can colonise and reproduce in an aqueous (water-containing) environment. Cosmetics often contain more than one preservative substances and these preservative systems act simultaneously against different bacteria, yeasts or moulds. Each of these substances has been comprehensively tested and assessed for safety (individually and in combination). Manufacturers always use only the lowest possible effective concentration in a product so that an optimum shelf life and safe application are ensured. Formaldehyde releasers continuously release a low amount of formaldehyde in the finished cosmetic product and deploy their preservative effect in this way. Fragrances or mixtures of fragrances are often referred to in the cosmetics area as "perfuming agents" or "perfume oils" or "parfum oils". On the cosmetic products they are declared with the INCI name "PARFUM". These are undiluted individual substances or their mixtures which originate from natural raw materials or can be produced (semi-) synthetically. They are starting materials for the production of perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and other perfumed cosmetic products. The average content of fragrances amounts in perfume to 15-30 %, in eau de parfum to 10-14 %, in eau de toilette to 6-9 %, in eau de cologne to 3-5 % as well as in skin creams, shampoos, hair and deodorant sprays to approximately 0.2-1 % and approximately 1-3 in deodorant sticks. The perfume oils include essential oils, resinoids and absolutes. The sources are, amongst others, flowers, leaves and stems, fruits and fruit peels or roots of plants; woods, grasses or herbs, needles, resins and balsams. Moreover, only compounds isolated from natural products such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols etc. are used (geraniol, citronellal, citral, eugenol, menthol) as well as semi-synthetic (citronellol, geranyl acetate, jonone) and synthetic scents (eg phenylethyl alcohol and linalool) are used. Scents of animal origin such as musk and ambra are only rarely used.

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Information on safe use

In accordance with the EC Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009), which applies to the entire EU market, preservatives means substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of microorganisms in the cosmetic product. Annex V of the Regulation defines the substances which may be used as preservatives in cosmetic products. In this so-called positive list of preservatives, maximum concentrations are defined for the use of these substances in cosmetic products as well as the permissible uses. Preservatives are examined in respect of their toxicological safety prior to their approval in Annex V and undergo extensive tests. Manufacturers must prove the health safety in extensive scientific studies.

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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. (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

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Further information

For the clarification of a suspicion of a contact allergy this substance can be routinely tested in the epicutaneous test at the dermatologist.

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

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