Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
A preservative marketed as gentle and natural, but in fact a formaldehyde releaser: it slowly splits off trace formaldehyde for antimicrobial protection. Not suitable for people allergic to formaldehyde.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Moderate
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Suitable for
- Normal, Oily, Combination
- Use with caution
- Sensitive
Releases formaldehyde
This is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative: it slowly gives off small amounts of formaldehyde in the water phase. If you are allergic to formaldehyde or have very sensitive skin, choose a product without it. At permitted levels the risk for everyone else is low. When several such preservatives are combined, their formaldehyde adds up – that matters more than any single one.
About this ingredient
This is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative: in the water phase it slowly gives off small amounts of free formaldehyde. If you are allergic to formaldehyde or have very sensitive skin, choose a product without it – at permitted levels the risk for everyone else is low. When several such preservatives are combined, their formaldehyde adds up, and in the EU a total above 0.001% requires a "releases formaldehyde" label.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate safe during pregnancy?
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate should be used with caution during pregnancy. Consulting a dermatologist or OB-GYN is advisable.
What skin types is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate for?
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate suits: normal, oily, combination. Use with caution in: sensitive.
What is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate and what does it do in cosmetics?
A preservative marketed as gentle and natural, but in fact a formaldehyde releaser: it slowly splits off trace formaldehyde for antimicrobial protection.
What's the INCI name for Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate?
The INCI name is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.
See Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Allyl Stearate/VA Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Lactoperoxidase, Poloxamer 182
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