Name
DMDM hydantoin
Description
DMDM Hydantoin is a preservative used in a wide range of personal care products, cosmetics, and household items to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and mold. It helps extend the shelf life of products and ensures they remain safe to use over time. As a preservative, it is particularly effective in water-based formulations, which are more prone to microbial contamination.
Benefits
Keeps bacteria, mold, and other pathogens from growing in water-based products.
Considerations
• Formaldehyde
DMDM hydantoin works by slowly releasing formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen.
• Acute Toxicity
Harmful if swallowed.
• Skin Irritation
Potential skin irritant or allergen.
• Eye Irritation
Can cause eye irritation in higher concentrations.
• Respiratory Toxin
Can cause asthma or respiratory distress when inhaled (at higher concentrations.)
Synonyms
1,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione
DMDM Hydantoin
Dimethyloldimethyl hydantoin
1,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
1,3-Dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
Dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
2,4-Imidazolidinedione, 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-
dimethyloldimethylhydantoin
1,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione
1,3-Di(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
1,3-DIMETHYLOL-5,5-DIMETHYL-HYDANTOIN
Hydantoin, 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-
Dantoguard
1,3-DIHYDROXYMETHYL-5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN
Dantion DMDMH 55
DMDM HYDANTION
1,3-Dihydroxylmethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
n,n'-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
1,3-DIMETHYLOL-5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN [HSDB]
1,3-Bis (hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione
1,3 BIS(HYDROXYMETHYL)-5,5- DIMETHYLHYDANTOINDIMETHYLHYDANTOIN
1,3 BIS(HYDROXYMETHYL)-5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOINDIMETHYLHYDANTOIN
1 pound not3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5 pound not5-dimethylimidazolidine-2 pound not4-dione
Research Sources
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/22947
Summary
Works as a preservative by releasing formaldehyde.
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