[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":296},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-diazolidinyl-urea":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":251,"commonProducts":252,"description":258,"extension":259,"icon":260,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":261,"isCommonIrritant":262,"keyFacts":263,"localNames":272,"meta":273,"navigation":262,"path":274,"relatedArticles":275,"seo":282,"severity":283,"slug":284,"stem":285,"subtitle":286,"symptoms":287,"synonyms":293,"__hash__":295},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/diazolidinyl-urea.md","Diazolidinyl Urea",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":241},"minimark",[9,14,25,28,31,35,42,45,95,99,102,134,141,145,148,168,171,188,192,195,198,205,209],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-diazolidinyl-urea","What is Diazolidinyl Urea?",[15,16,17,20,21,24],"p",{},[18,19,5],"strong",{}," (trade name: Germall II; INCI: Diazolidinyl Urea) is a synthetic preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. It belongs to a class of preservatives known as ",[18,22,23],{},"formaldehyde releasers"," — compounds that do not contain free formaldehyde themselves, but slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde as they break down in the product over time. This released formaldehyde is the actual antimicrobial agent.",[15,26,27],{},"Diazolidinyl urea is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and some yeasts, making it popular in water-based formulations like lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. It is typically used at concentrations of 0.1–0.5% and is often combined with other preservatives (such as parabens or methylisothiazolinone) for broader coverage.",[15,29,30],{},"Despite its widespread use, diazolidinyl urea is one of the most clinically significant preservative allergens in cosmetics. It appears consistently in the top 10–15 allergens identified in contact dermatitis patch test series conducted by dermatologists worldwide, including in India.",[10,32,34],{"id":33},"why-does-diazolidinyl-urea-cause-reactions","Why does Diazolidinyl Urea cause reactions?",[15,36,37,38,41],{},"The mechanism of sensitization is directly related to the formaldehyde it releases. Formaldehyde is a ",[18,39,40],{},"potent contact allergen"," — it reacts with amino acids in skin proteins to form haptens (modified proteins) that the immune system can recognize as foreign. Once sensitization occurs, even trace amounts of formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives can trigger a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction.",[15,43,44],{},"Key aspects of diazolidinyl urea allergy:",[46,47,48,55,77,83,89],"ul",{},[49,50,51,54],"li",{},[18,52,53],{},"Delayed reaction",": Like most contact allergens, reactions typically appear 24–72 hours after exposure — making it difficult for users to connect the reaction to the specific product",[49,56,57,60,61,64,65,68,69,72,73,76],{},[18,58,59],{},"Cross-reactivity",": Sensitization to diazolidinyl urea often predicts sensitivity to ",[18,62,63],{},"imidazolidinyl urea"," (Germall 115), ",[18,66,67],{},"DMDM hydantoin",", ",[18,70,71],{},"quaternium-15",", and ",[18,74,75],{},"bronopol"," — all of which release formaldehyde",[49,78,79,82],{},[18,80,81],{},"Leave-on vs. rinse-off",": Leave-on products (lotions, creams, baby products) cause more reactions than rinse-off products (shampoos, cleansers) because of prolonged skin contact",[49,84,85,88],{},[18,86,87],{},"Eyelid dermatitis",": Eyelid skin is extremely thin and permeable; facial moisturizers and eye creams containing diazolidinyl urea frequently cause eyelid contact dermatitis, which is often misdiagnosed as eczema or periorbital allergies",[49,90,91,94],{},[18,92,93],{},"Eczema barrier vulnerability",": Compromised eczema skin absorbs preservatives more readily, increasing sensitization risk",[10,96,98],{"id":97},"where-is-diazolidinyl-urea-found-in-products","Where is Diazolidinyl Urea found in products?",[15,100,101],{},"Diazolidinyl urea is used across a wide range of cosmetic and personal care categories:",[46,103,104,110,116,122,128],{},[49,105,106,109],{},[18,107,108],{},"Moisturizers and body lotions",": Particularly common in affordable, water-based formulations",[49,111,112,115],{},[18,113,114],{},"Shampoos and conditioners",": Often in combination with other preservatives",[49,117,118,121],{},[18,119,120],{},"Baby products",": Some baby wipes, lotions, and shampoos historically contained it (increasingly being reformulated out)",[49,123,124,127],{},[18,125,126],{},"Liquid soaps and hand washes",": A frequent preservative choice for its water-soluble nature",[49,129,130,133],{},[18,131,132],{},"Makeup products",": Some liquid foundations and concealers",[15,135,136,137,140],{},"Permitted concentrations are up to ",[18,138,139],{},"0.5% in the EU"," and similar limits in India. The actual concentration in most products is 0.1–0.3%.",[10,142,144],{"id":143},"how-to-spot-diazolidinyl-urea-on-labels","How to spot Diazolidinyl Urea on labels",[15,146,147],{},"Look for these names on product ingredient lists:",[46,149,150,155,161],{},[49,151,152,154],{},[18,153,5],{}," — the standard INCI name used globally",[49,156,157,160],{},[18,158,159],{},"Germall II"," — the trade name",[49,162,163,164,167],{},"Sometimes listed alongside ",[18,165,166],{},"Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate"," or parabens as a preservative blend",[15,169,170],{},"If you are sensitive to diazolidinyl urea, also check for these related formaldehyde releasers:",[46,172,173,176,179,182,185],{},[49,174,175],{},"DMDM Hydantoin",[49,177,178],{},"Imidazolidinyl Urea (Germall 115)",[49,180,181],{},"Quaternium-15",[49,183,184],{},"Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol)",[49,186,187],{},"Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate",[10,189,191],{"id":190},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,193,194],{},"Diazolidinyl urea is commonly found in mid-range and budget personal care products sold in India. Many local and national brands use it in moisturizers, body lotions, and hair care products as an affordable, effective preservative. Products from larger Indian FMCG brands may include it in body lotion ranges, and some international brands sold in India retain it in their formulations.",[15,196,197],{},"Indian consumers who have eczema or have tested positive for formaldehyde allergy should specifically check labels of all leave-on skincare products. The INCI name \"Diazolidinyl Urea\" must appear on all cosmetics sold in India under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 (amended), so identification is straightforward once you know what to look for.",[15,199,200,201,204],{},"A practical tip for Indian users: if you experience repeated unexplained rashes from lotions or conditioners, ask a dermatologist for a ",[18,202,203],{},"patch test panel"," that includes diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and DMDM hydantoin — these are available in standard Indian patch test series.",[10,206,208],{"id":207},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[46,210,211,217,223,229,235],{},[49,212,213,216],{},[18,214,215],{},"Phenoxyethanol",": Broadly used, non-formaldehyde-releasing preservative; generally better tolerated by formaldehyde-sensitive individuals",[49,218,219,222],{},[18,220,221],{},"Ethylhexylglycerin",": Often combined with phenoxyethanol for a gentle, effective preservative system",[49,224,225,228],{},[18,226,227],{},"Sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate",": Common in natural formulations; effective in acidic products",[49,230,231,234],{},[18,232,233],{},"Caprylyl glycol",": A multifunctional humectant with mild antimicrobial properties",[49,236,237,240],{},[18,238,239],{},"Products labeled \"formaldehyde-free\" or \"preservative-sensitive\" formulas",": Brands like Vanicream, Cetaphil, and La Roche-Posay specifically formulate for contact-sensitized skin",{"title":242,"searchDepth":243,"depth":243,"links":244},"",2,[245,246,247,248,249,250],{"id":12,"depth":243,"text":13},{"id":33,"depth":243,"text":34},{"id":97,"depth":243,"text":98},{"id":143,"depth":243,"text":144},{"id":190,"depth":243,"text":191},{"id":207,"depth":243,"text":208},"preservative",[253,254,255,256,257],"Lotion","Shampoo","Conditioner","Liquid soap","Baby wipes","A widely used formaldehyde-releasing preservative that can trigger contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to formaldehyde. Listed by both the NEA and ACDS as a problematic ingredient for eczema-prone skin.","md","🧪",null,true,[264,267,269],{"label":265,"value":266},"Formaldehyde releaser","Diazolidinyl urea works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde — the actual antimicrobial agent — over time",{"label":59,"value":268},"Positive patch test to diazolidinyl urea often predicts sensitivity to other formaldehyde releasers: DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15",{"label":270,"value":271},"Regulatory status","Permitted in EU up to 0.5%; permitted in India under Schedule S of Cosmetics Rules; banned in some baby products in certain countries",[],{},"/learn/ingredients/diazolidinyl-urea",[276,279],{"slug":277,"title":278},"/learn/reading-cosmetic-labels","How to Read Cosmetic Labels",{"slug":280,"title":281},"/learn/patch-test-results-now-what","Patch Test Results: Now What?",{"title":5,"description":258},"moderate","diazolidinyl-urea","learn/ingredients/diazolidinyl-urea","A formaldehyde-releasing preservative — a known sensitizer for eczema-prone skin",[288,289,290,291,292],"Allergic contact dermatitis","Redness, itching, and blistering at application site","Eczema flares in formaldehyde-sensitive individuals","Eyelid dermatitis from facial products","Scalp irritation from shampoos",[159,294],"N-(1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)-N,N-bis(hydroxymethyl)urea","AoYz8mHDZbBqVop4otBVGMgGrz_HbTu6dOYw2RE5M2I",1778416676050]