Are You Exposed To Formaldehyde Daily Through Your Skincare Or Household Products?

Formaldehyde is commonly known as a tissue preservative in medical laboratories and as an embalming fluid in mortuaries. However, do you know it is also used as a preservative in some foods and as an antibacterial ingredient in cosmetics, household antiseptics, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, carpet cleaners? Other sources of formaldehyde are paints, paper coatings, or some foam insulation materials. 

Exposure to formaldehyde is a significant health concern. In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen." The truth is that most leading brands of cosmetics, including their baby skincare series, may contain small amounts of harmful or downright toxic ingredients.

Just like 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde isn’t listed as an ingredient in skincare or household products. Instead, formaldehyde is released into the product over time by the preservatives used to prevent the growth of microbial. These preservatives are called formaldehyde releasers. Here are some examples: DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Diazolidinyl Urea, and Imidazolidinyl Urea.

By one industry estimate, close to 80% of a person's exposure to formaldehyde comes from skincare, cosmetic, and household products.

For eczema sufferers and those with sensitive skin, it's particularly important to know that repeated exposure to formaldehyde and the formaldehyde releasers (even at low levels) will often lead to contact allergies, which could eventually turn into chronic contact dermatitis.

Micha's Advice: Check the ingredient lists on your skincare/cosmetic/household products and make sure they do not contain any formaldehyde-releasing agents!

To learn what other materials to be wary of, please check our ingredients-to-avoid list.