Quick answer: Both score equally on our risk model. Diazolidinyl urea is banned in the EU and allowed in the US; Glyoxylic acid is banned in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Diazolidinyl urea | Glyoxylic acid |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Banned | Banned |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | high | high |
| Banned in | European Union | European Union |
| Restricted in | — | — |
| Category | formaldehyde releaser | formaldehyde releaser |
| Where it hides | lotion, makeup, sunscreen | keratin straightening treatment |
Diazolidinyl urea is a preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde to kill bacteria in water-based personal-care products.
Glyoxylic acid is a preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde to kill bacteria in water-based personal-care products.
Diazolidinyl urea: 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.
Glyoxylic acid: 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.
Scan a barcode and we'll flag both Diazolidinyl urea and Glyoxylic acid (plus 140+ other ingredients banned overseas).
Scan free →