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Answer: Yes — Tetramethylol glycoluril 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: Tetramethylol glycoluril is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (formaldehyde releasers).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Tetramethylol Glycoluril. CAS 5395-50-6.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | cosmetics |
| CAS number | 5395-50-6 |
Tetramethylol glycoluril 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 Tetramethylol glycolurilwith 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.
Tetramethylol glycoluril is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Tetramethylol glycoluril 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 Tetramethylol glycoluril automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Tetramethylol glycoluril.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Tetramethylol glycoluril or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.