Formaldehyde releasers in cosmetics: why it's flagged
Short answer
Formaldehyde releasers is flagged by Olive Detective as a high concern in cosmetics. Slowly release formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen and allergen. The flag is class-level and precautionary, based on IARC Group 1; EU CosIng restrictions — it describes the ingredient class, not the safety of any particular product.
What the concern is
- Carcinogenicity concern — flagged by IARC or an equivalent body for review.
- Allergen — a recognised contact-allergy or sensitisation risk.
How it appears on an INCI list
Cosmetic labels use INCI names, which are standardised worldwide, so the same wording appears on a product bought anywhere. This class is matched on dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium 15, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, bronopol.
Pregnancy
This ingredient carries a avoid flag in the app’s pregnancy-safe mode. With that mode on, a product containing it shows a warning banner and its personalised score is hard-capped. This is precautionary guidance drawn from regulatory positions, not medical advice — a midwife or doctor is the right person to ask about your own routine.
How it affects the score
Cosmetic scoring follows the Yuka method: a product with only green and yellow ingredients has its score floored at 50, any orange ingredient caps it below 50, and any red caps it below 25. This ingredient is red, so it caps a product's score below 25 on its own.
Source: IARC Group 1; EU CosIng restrictions
Other cosmetic ingredients we flag
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