DMDM Hydantoin

Moderate hazard

Is DMDM Hydantoin safe in skincare?

Moderate hazardHazard 5/10

EU CosIng Annex V — approved up to a maximum %; the actual % in this product is unknown

Based on

Reference: European Union, 2026
Annex V · EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex V, entry 33: preservative permitted by the EU, within the limit below. Conditions: 0.6%
Reference: Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
Safe as used · CIR report 154 conclusion
Reference: Korea MFDS
MFDS Korea: restricted · MFDS Korea cosmetic restricted

Is DMDM Hydantoin classified as a carcinogen?

Only four bodies count here: IARC, EU CLP, US NTP and California Prop 65.

Classified as Impurity pathway (inhalation exposure basis).

Exposure route: formaldehyde this preservative releases, inhalation exposure

Based on

Reference: US National Toxicology Program (NTP)
Impurity pathway

How is DMDM Hydantoin regulated?

Cosmetic ingredient

Not found on any prescription-drug, professional-treatment, or US OTC monograph list, so it is treated as a cosmetic ingredient. This is a passive default ("not on any known restricted list"), not an individually verified positive finding.

Is DMDM Hydantoin safe during pregnancy?

Pregnant
Not enough data
Nursing
Not enough data
Planning
Not enough data

No pregnancy- or nursing-specific verdict found for DMDM hydantoin; the allergy and carcinogen axes already flag it (the carcinogen rating is for inhaled formaldehyde).

Products that list this ingredient

17 products in our catalog list this ingredient. Here are the 12 with the most reviews.

Sources (4)

Reference: European Union, 2026
Reference: Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
Reference: Korea MFDS
Reference: US National Toxicology Program (NTP)

Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.

Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.