DMDM Hydantoin is a preservative that is used in the cosmetics industry and can be found in shampoos, conditioners, gel, and other skin care products.  DMDM Hydantoin is an “antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative” as described on the Environmental Working Group’s website.

 The function of DMDM Hydantoin is to release small amounts of formaldehyde over the shelf life of a product. The formaldehyde that is released into the environment of the product becomes unstable to the organisms living in it.   This makes it hard for the product to become infected with bacteria, mold and other microorganisms.  However, formaldehyde is not healthy for humans.  It has been known to cause irritation of the eyes, skin, and even lungs as the formaldehyde is released into the air.  DMDM Hydantoin has also set off allergic responses in some people that have caused burning, itching, blistering and even scaling of the skin. In some countries like Japan, DMDM Hydantoin is prohibited to be used in certain cosmetics.  In the US, DMDM Hydantoin is only allowed to be used in a 0.2% concentration in cosmetics due to sensitivities to the chemical.  The claim is that at a concentration this low, it would be equivalent to the amount natural occurring formaldehyde given off by an apple. My question though is……how can we be sure that the amount used within the products we buy have those low amounts? An apple gives off natural occurring formaldehyde which is much different than the formaldehyde released from a synthetic man made chemical. To me they are not equal.

I don’t know about you but I certainly do not want to use any product that contains formaldehyde.  Formaldehyde has its own purpose but being in my cosmetics is not one of them.

For more information on DMDM Hydantoin and a list of products please visit:
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/702196-dmdm-hydantoin-formaldehyde-releaser/

Phenoxyethanol is one of those chemicals that when you look up the information about it, it makes you scratch your head and wonder why its even put into our products.  Phenoxyethanol can also be known as 

ETHANOL, 2-PHENOXY-; ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOPHENYL ETHER; 2-HYDROXYETHYL PHENYL ETHER; 2-PHENOXYETHANOL; 2-PHENOXYETHYL ALCOHOL; PHENOXYTOL; 2-PHENOXY- ETHANOL; ETHANOL, 2PHENOXY; 1-HYDROXY-2-PHENOXYETHANE; 2-FENOXYETHANOL (CZECH) ; 2-PHENOXYETHANOL

It is turning up in everything, from cosmetics to baby products to insect repellents and even a lot of cosmetics that are considered a “greener” alternative.  This is partly due to the fact that as companies are moving away from the preservative parabens, they are turning to Phenoxyethanol. 

So what exactly is Phenoxyethanol?  Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether or a solvent.  It can be found in just about everything….dyes, inks, perfumes, skin care, paint, lacquer, baby wipes and can also be used as an insect repellent.  Phenoxyethanol is a preservative and is a better alternative to the formaldehyde releasing preservatives that have been used in the past, however it is still harmful to us.

The MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet for Phenoxyethanol is quite scary.  It is a skin and eye irritant and can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled.  It also states that it can cause reproductive damage.  Of course this is what the chemical can do at 100% concentration but even at smaller dosages it has been known to cause harm. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data sheet shows that Phenoxyethanol can cause genetic mutation, chromosomal changes, and reproductive interference in test rodents. It has also been linked to kidney and bladder damage. Japan has put a restriction on what concentrations of this chemical is used in their products.  The European Union has also classified this as a skin irritant.  Even the FDA has issued warnings about this chemical in the past.  I don’t know if any of you remember in 2008 the cream Mommy Bliss?  It was a cream that nursing mothers were using.  The FDA went so far as to warn that Phenoxyethanol can cause  vomiting, contact dermatitis, and even shut down of the central nervous system.

I have been finding this ingredient a lot so please be sure to read the labels. I myself return the product back to the shelf even if all the other ingredients are stellar and on point. Which can be disappointing if you find something you really want to try.  Just because it is a replacement for parabens or past preservatives, doesn’t mean its any safer. 

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/704811-phenoxyethanol/

Ingredients are very important when it comes to the products we use. What a product is made up of can seriously effect our health and the health of others in many ways.  I am listing here the ingredients that are used in many products that are hazardous to us.  Please feel free to print this out to use as a handy tool when you go shopping.

Because this list is long, I have decided to choose an ingredient each week to go more in depth on. Please join me as we take a journey into Ingredients 101!

• Parabens includes Methyl-, Ethyl-, Propyl-, Butyl-, Isobutyl-
• Triethanolamine or TEA
• Ceteareth
• PEG’s includes Polyethylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Idopropynyl Butylcarbamate
• 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol or Bronopol
• DMDM Hydantoin
• BHA
• Oxybenzone
• Triclosan
• Boric Acid and Sodium Borate
• Phtalates
• Toulene
• 1,4-Dioxane
• Formaldehyde
• P-Phenylenediamine
• Diethanolamine or DEA
• Hydroquinone
• Imidazolidinyl Urea
• Diazolidinyl Urea
• Phenoxyethanol
• DBP
• Mineral Oils such as Paraffin oil, Paraffin wax, Liquid Paraffin, Petrolatum
• Nitosamines such as Cocamide DEH, Lauramide DEA, Cocamide MEA, TEA, DEA
• Sodiul Maureth Sulfate or SLS
• Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate or SLES
• Bismuth Oxychloride
• Nano Particles
• Animal Fats such as Mink oil, Emu oil
• BHT or Butylated Hydroxytoluene
• Coal Tar
• Placenta
• Propylene Glycol
• Methacrylate Monomers
• Ethyl Acetate
• Lead
• Mercury
• Synthetic Fragrance

Note This list is forever changing and will be added to in the future.  Please check back periodically for updates.