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Answer: Yes — Polyoxymethylene urea 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: makeup, skincare.
TL;DR: Polyoxymethylene urea is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (formaldehyde releasers).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Polyoxymethylene Urea. CAS 9011-05-6.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | makeup, skincare |
| CAS number | 9011-05-6 |
Polyoxymethylene urea 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 Polyoxymethylene ureawith 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.
Polyoxymethylene urea is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Polyoxymethylene urea 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 Polyoxymethylene urea automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Polyoxymethylene urea.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Polyoxymethylene urea or other ingredients banned overseas.
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