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Answer: Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: paints-adjacent cosmetics, cleansers.
TL;DR: Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (formaldehyde releasers).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Benzylhemiformal. CAS 14548-60-8.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | paints-adjacent cosmetics, cleansers |
| CAS number | 14548-60-8 |
Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal (Benzylhemiformal) is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen; EU rinse-off use only.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformalwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformal or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.