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.
Topical application
CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus.
Works as a preservative, but through formaldehyde release. Marketing it as a natural, safe ingredient is misleading. Contraindicated for those allergic to formaldehyde.
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.
Irritation potential
LowAllergen risk
ModeratePregnancy
CautionReleases 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.
Suitable for
Use with caution
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.
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate should be used with caution during pregnancy. Consulting a dermatologist or OB-GYN is advisable.
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate suits: normal, oily, combination. Use with caution in: sensitive.
A preservative marketed as gentle and natural, but in fact a formaldehyde releaser: it slowly splits off trace formaldehyde for antimicrobial protection.
The INCI name is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate. It may also appear as: Натрия гидроксиметилглицинат.
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