DMDM Hydantoin
DMDM Hydantoin
Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
October 18th, 2021
October 18th, 2021
Consumers are searching for shampoo and conditioners that do not contain DMDM Hydantoin, a popular preservative. At the beginning of 2021 there was a trend on social media linking this ingredient with hair loss. People are being advised to check not only their drugstore hair products, but also ones from high end salons, to ensure it's not on the ingredient list.
One of the largest headline stories involving DMDM Hydantoin involves CPG conglomerate Unilever. The company's TRESemmé keratin shampoo and conditioner is thought to be causing scalp burns and hair loss, leading to several class action lawsuits in Illinois Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as outside the U.S. in Canada. In March of 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) issued an update to its notice on hair smoothing products that release formaldehyde when heated titled "Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know", which may have been a response in light these disputes. However, their update was specific to chemical hair straightening services (versus shampoo and conditioners), which they recommend be done by a licensed professional at the salon.
What Is DMDM Hydantoin?
Simply put, it is preservative commonly found in topical products. According to chemicalsafetyfacts.org, DMDM is an “odorless white, crystalline substance that works as an antimicrobial agent and preservative in cosmetics and personal care products". This antimicrobial agent is known as a “formaldehyde donor”, meaning its purpose is to release formaldehyde in small amounts over time to prevent various molds and bacterias from growing in personal care products.
Is DMDM Hydantoin good for you?
Formaldehydes have been used for many years in various aspects of our lives. It's common to see it included anywhere from beauty products to the materials used to build our homes. Contradicting its frequent use, the American Cancer Society suggests we limit formaldehyde exposure whenever possible. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has also released a cautionary position on formaldehyde, citing it as a "known human carcinogen". The NTP was formed out of several notable government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On a global scale, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), lists identifying causes of cancer as one of its major goals. The IARC concluded 17 years ago, in 2004, that formaldehyde is "carcinogenic to humans" based on higher risks of nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.
Specific to personal care products (lotions, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and some fingernail polishes), the American Cancer Society believes that the use of products containing formaldehyde may increase its concentration "in the air inside the room for a short time, but the levels reached are far below what is considered to be hazardous". The NTP released a report on formaldehyde in August of 2020 titled "Final Scope of the Risk Evaluation for Formaldehyde" where it recommended that people follow the safety guidelines outlined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as it relates to its use in "personal care products, cosmetics, hair treatments, mouthwash, nail treatment, shaving cream, soap, shampoo, and deodorants".
What are other names for DMDM Hydantoin?
Source: medscape.com
Besides shampoo and conditioner, what other products could contain DMDM Hydantoin?
What are alternatives to DMDM Hydantoin?
(1) Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
(2) Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
(3) Organic acids
(4) Sodium Benzoate
(5) Potassium Sorbate
(6) Essential Oils
(7) Antioxidants
(8) Phenoxyethanol
Source: beautifulwithbrains.com
Can I avoid preservatives in shampoos and conditioners all together?
Yes, waterless options skip the need for preservatives. If there is no water in a product there is no need to add preservatives. Powdered shampoos, as well as shampoo and conditioner bars, are activated by adding water when used, as opposed to during the manufacturing process. Opt for these to avoid preservatives all together.
One of the largest headline stories involving DMDM Hydantoin involves CPG conglomerate Unilever. The company's TRESemmé keratin shampoo and conditioner is thought to be causing scalp burns and hair loss, leading to several class action lawsuits in Illinois Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as outside the U.S. in Canada. In March of 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) issued an update to its notice on hair smoothing products that release formaldehyde when heated titled "Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know", which may have been a response in light these disputes. However, their update was specific to chemical hair straightening services (versus shampoo and conditioners), which they recommend be done by a licensed professional at the salon.
What Is DMDM Hydantoin?
Simply put, it is preservative commonly found in topical products. According to chemicalsafetyfacts.org, DMDM is an “odorless white, crystalline substance that works as an antimicrobial agent and preservative in cosmetics and personal care products". This antimicrobial agent is known as a “formaldehyde donor”, meaning its purpose is to release formaldehyde in small amounts over time to prevent various molds and bacterias from growing in personal care products.
Is DMDM Hydantoin good for you?
Formaldehydes have been used for many years in various aspects of our lives. It's common to see it included anywhere from beauty products to the materials used to build our homes. Contradicting its frequent use, the American Cancer Society suggests we limit formaldehyde exposure whenever possible. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has also released a cautionary position on formaldehyde, citing it as a "known human carcinogen". The NTP was formed out of several notable government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On a global scale, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), lists identifying causes of cancer as one of its major goals. The IARC concluded 17 years ago, in 2004, that formaldehyde is "carcinogenic to humans" based on higher risks of nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.
Specific to personal care products (lotions, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and some fingernail polishes), the American Cancer Society believes that the use of products containing formaldehyde may increase its concentration "in the air inside the room for a short time, but the levels reached are far below what is considered to be hazardous". The NTP released a report on formaldehyde in August of 2020 titled "Final Scope of the Risk Evaluation for Formaldehyde" where it recommended that people follow the safety guidelines outlined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as it relates to its use in "personal care products, cosmetics, hair treatments, mouthwash, nail treatment, shaving cream, soap, shampoo, and deodorants".
What are other names for DMDM Hydantoin?
- 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin
- Dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin
- Dantoin DMDMH
- DMDMH
- Glydant
- Mackstat DM
- Nipaguard DMDMH
- Paragon (mixture)
Source: medscape.com
Besides shampoo and conditioner, what other products could contain DMDM Hydantoin?
- Liquid soaps
- Body washes
- Cosmetics
- Moisturizers
- Sunscreens
- Any topical products with water in them
What are alternatives to DMDM Hydantoin?
(1) Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Pros: as effective as DMDM Hydantoin in destroying bacteria, fungi or yeast in products over time
- Cons: can be more irritating than DMDM Hydantoin
(2) Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
- Pros: MIT is a biocide that can kill microbes, fungi and bacteria, MCI has antifungal and antibacterial properties too
- Cons: both frequently cause allergies and irritation
(3) Organic acids
- Pros: include naturally derived ingredients, such as salicylic acid, benzoic acid and sorbic acid
- Cons: only kill fungi, not bacteria, so must be used with other bacteria-killing preservatives
(4) Sodium Benzoate
- Pros: very effective against fungi and yeast
- Cons: cannot kill bacteria
(5) Potassium Sorbate
- Pros: derived from synthetically altered rowan berries
- Cons: kills fungi but not bacteria, so must be used with other bacteria-killing preservatives
(6) Essential Oils
- Pros: effective on fungi and bacteria
- Cons: needs to be used at high concentrations that can cause irritation
(7) Antioxidants
- Pros: helps products last by preventing oils and fats (common in lotions) from oxidizing
- Cons: unable to kill bacteria or fungi
(8) Phenoxyethanol
- Pros: kills Gram-negative bacteria, is also one of the gentlest preservatives available
- Cons: protects against bacteria but not fungi and yeast
Source: beautifulwithbrains.com
Can I avoid preservatives in shampoos and conditioners all together?
Yes, waterless options skip the need for preservatives. If there is no water in a product there is no need to add preservatives. Powdered shampoos, as well as shampoo and conditioner bars, are activated by adding water when used, as opposed to during the manufacturing process. Opt for these to avoid preservatives all together.