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Ingredients › DMDM hydantoin and formaldehyde releasers

Baby skincare · 0–36 months

Is DMDM hydantoin safe for babies?

DMDM hydantoin and other formaldehyde releasers

Some preservatives work by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde into the product. DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea and bronopol are the common ones. Formaldehyde itself is banned in EU skincare. Pikabee flags formaldehyde and every releaser on a baby skincare label.

What Pikabee flags, by age

0–6 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged: formaldehyde and every releaser on the list.

6–12 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged: formaldehyde and every releaser on the list, as at 0–6 months.

12–36 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged: formaldehyde and every releaser on the list, as at 0–6 months.

What it is

Formaldehyde kills microbes, but it is a known skin sensitiser and WHO's cancer agency classifies it as a human carcinogen. Releasers are used instead because they let out formaldehyde gradually, at low levels, while the product sits on the shelf.

They turn up in baby shampoos, body washes and bubble baths. The label names the releaser, never the formaldehyde it produces.

Names it goes by on labels

Why Pikabee flags it

The EU moved formaldehyde to its list of substances banned in skincare in 2019 (Regulation 2019/831). Releasers are still permitted, but since Regulation 2022/1181 any product releasing more than 0.001% formaldehyde must say “releases formaldehyde”. WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde in Group 1. Pikabee flags formaldehyde and its releasers on any baby product.

How often parents find it

3 of 31

different baby skincare labels parents have scanned with Pikabee had a formaldehyde releaser, as of 4 November 2026.

Questions parents ask

Is DMDM hydantoin safe for a baby under 6 months?

Flagged: formaldehyde and every releaser on the list. The EU moved formaldehyde to its list of substances banned in skincare in 2019 (Regulation 2019/831).

Is DMDM hydantoin safe for a 6 to 12 month old baby?

Flagged: formaldehyde and every releaser on the list, as at 0–6 months. The EU moved formaldehyde to its list of substances banned in skincare in 2019 (Regulation 2019/831).

Is DMDM hydantoin safe for a 1 to 3 year old?

Flagged: formaldehyde and every releaser on the list, as at 0–6 months. The EU moved formaldehyde to its list of substances banned in skincare in 2019 (Regulation 2019/831).

Does DMDM hydantoin contain formaldehyde?

It releases formaldehyde slowly into the product. Pikabee flags it, along with every other formaldehyde releaser, on baby skincare.

Why is it still allowed in shampoo?

The EU allows releasers within limits but requires a “releases formaldehyde” warning above 0.001%. Pikabee flags them on baby products regardless of the amount.

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Sources

  1. Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/831 (formaldehyde moved to Annex II, prohibited in skincare).
  2. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1181 (“releases formaldehyde” warning above 0.001%).
  3. International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO). List of classifications: formaldehyde, Group 1.
  4. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products (EU Cosmetics Regulation).

Last reviewed 6 November 2026.

Related ingredients

Talk to your pediatrician about anything concerning.