Formaldehyde-Releasers in Cosmeti…he USA and in Europe

🔬 Peer-reviewed

Formaldehyde-Releasers in Cosmetics in the USA and in Europe

de Groot AC, Veenstra M

Contact Dermatitis · 2010

Findings

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives remain widely used in US cosmetics and are a leading cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis

Design

Review

Evidence

Moderate

Journal

Contact Dermatitis

Ingredients studied

Formaldehyde →

Methodology

This review examined the prevalence and allergenic potential of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) in cosmetic products in the US and Europe. FRPs including DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15 release free formaldehyde over time at levels sufficient to cause contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. The review found these ingredients more prevalent in US products than European ones. The authors concluded that FRP-related contact allergy is underreported, as patch testing for individual FRPs is not routine.

Funded By

Not specified

🧂Conflict of interest.