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Answer: Yes — Dimethylol glycol is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: cosmetics.
TL;DR: Dimethylol glycol is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (formaldehyde releasers).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Dimethylol Ethylene Urea. CAS 136-84-5.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | cosmetics |
| CAS number | 136-84-5 |
Dimethylol glycol is a preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde to kill bacteria in water-based personal-care products.
It extends shelf life cheaply by releasing low levels of formaldehyde over time.
Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and a common skin sensitizer. The EU restricts formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and requires warning labels; Washington State is phasing them out, while they remain unrestricted federally in the US.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Dimethylol glycolwith 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 'formaldehyde-free' products and EU-compliant brands; look for preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate. BannedPantry flags formaldehyde releasers on the INCI list.
Dimethylol glycol is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Dimethylol glycol 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 Dimethylol glycol automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Dimethylol glycol.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Dimethylol glycol or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.