[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":217},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":176,"commonProducts":177,"description":182,"extension":183,"icon":184,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":185,"isCommonIrritant":186,"keyFacts":187,"localNames":197,"meta":198,"navigation":199,"path":200,"relatedArticles":201,"seo":205,"severity":206,"slug":207,"stem":208,"subtitle":209,"symptoms":210,"synonyms":214,"__hash__":216},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate.md","Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":166},"minimark",[9,14,25,28,31,35,38,41,63,67,87,91,104,107,126,130,133,136,140],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate","What is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate?",[15,16,17,20,21,24],"p",{},[18,19,5],"strong",{}," (INCI: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate; trade name: Suttocide A; abbreviation: SHG) is a preservative derived from glycine — the simplest amino acid — that has been hydroxymethylated to give it antimicrobial properties. The resulting compound belongs to the class of ",[18,22,23],{},"formaldehyde-releasing preservatives",": it does not contain free formaldehyde, but slowly releases it under the pH and temperature conditions present in skincare formulations.",[15,26,27],{},"Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is effective against bacteria and is sometimes used in \"natural\" or \"clean\" beauty formulations because of its amino acid derivation. Marketers occasionally describe it as \"naturally inspired\" or \"amino acid-based,\" which can create a misleading impression of safety for those with formaldehyde sensitivity. The reality is that from a contact allergy perspective, the source of the molecule matters less than the formaldehyde it releases.",[15,29,30],{},"It is typically used at 0.1–0.5% in water-based formulations including lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and some \"natural\" skincare products.",[10,32,34],{"id":33},"why-does-sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate-cause-reactions","Why does Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate cause reactions?",[15,36,37],{},"Like all formaldehyde releasers, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate causes contact allergy through the formaldehyde it generates. The released formaldehyde reacts with skin proteins to form haptenic conjugates, triggering Type IV delayed hypersensitivity in previously sensitized individuals.",[15,39,40],{},"The clinical significance:",[42,43,44,51,57],"ul",{},[45,46,47,50],"li",{},[18,48,49],{},"Cross-reactivity",": A reaction to SHG typically indicates broader formaldehyde sensitivity — patients who react may also react to diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and bronopol",[45,52,53,56],{},[18,54,55],{},"Deceptive \"natural\" labeling",": Consumers who specifically seek out \"natural\" or \"clean\" products may not expect to encounter a formaldehyde releaser — increasing unrecognized exposure risk",[45,58,59,62],{},[18,60,61],{},"Leave-on product risk",": As a leave-on cosmetic ingredient, SHG has more opportunity to sensitize than in rinse-off products",[10,64,66],{"id":65},"where-is-sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate-found-in-products","Where is Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate found in products?",[42,68,69,75,81],{},[45,70,71,74],{},[18,72,73],{},"Natural and \"clean\" beauty lotions and creams",": Sometimes used as the sole preservative in formulations marketed as natural",[45,76,77,80],{},[18,78,79],{},"Shampoos and conditioners",": Particularly those with natural or organic positioning",[45,82,83,86],{},[18,84,85],{},"Body washes",": Some natural personal care products",[10,88,90],{"id":89},"how-to-spot-sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate-on-labels","How to spot Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate on labels",[42,92,93,98],{},[45,94,95,97],{},[18,96,5],{}," — INCI name",[45,99,100,103],{},[18,101,102],{},"Suttocide A"," — trade name (may appear in ingredient databases but not on product labels)",[15,105,106],{},"If you are avoiding formaldehyde releasers, check for all members of the group:",[42,108,109,112,115,118,121,124],{},[45,110,111],{},"Diazolidinyl Urea",[45,113,114],{},"Imidazolidinyl Urea",[45,116,117],{},"DMDM Hydantoin",[45,119,120],{},"Quaternium-15",[45,122,123],{},"Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol)",[45,125,5],{},[10,127,129],{"id":128},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,131,132],{},"Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is found in some Indian natural and organic skincare products, particularly those that market themselves as \"free from harsh preservatives\" — a marketing position that can create false confidence in formaldehyde-sensitive consumers. Indian consumers purchasing from natural beauty brands should check ingredient lists rather than relying on \"natural\" claims.",[15,134,135],{},"If you have eczema and formaldehyde sensitivity confirmed by patch testing, inform your dermatologist about this ingredient by name, as it may not be on their standard avoidance list given its \"natural\" reputation.",[10,137,139],{"id":138},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[42,141,142,148,154,160],{},[45,143,144,147],{},[18,145,146],{},"Phenoxyethanol",": Non-formaldehyde-releasing; the most common cosmetic preservative replacement",[45,149,150,153],{},[18,151,152],{},"Ethylhexylglycerin",": Gentle preservative booster",[45,155,156,159],{},[18,157,158],{},"Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate",": A truly natural antimicrobial with no formaldehyde release",[45,161,162,165],{},[18,163,164],{},"Sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate",": Effective in appropriate pH ranges",{"title":167,"searchDepth":168,"depth":168,"links":169},"",2,[170,171,172,173,174,175],{"id":12,"depth":168,"text":13},{"id":33,"depth":168,"text":34},{"id":65,"depth":168,"text":66},{"id":89,"depth":168,"text":90},{"id":128,"depth":168,"text":129},{"id":138,"depth":168,"text":139},"preservative",[178,179,180,181],"Lotion","Shampoo","Conditioner","Natural skincare","A formaldehyde-releasing preservative sometimes marketed as naturally derived. Can cause contact dermatitis in formaldehyde-sensitive individuals despite its amino acid origin.","md","🧪",null,false,[188,191,194],{"label":189,"value":190},"Formaldehyde releaser","Releases formaldehyde slowly during product use — the actual antimicrobial agent",{"label":192,"value":193},"Misperception risk","Derived from glycine (an amino acid), so sometimes considered \"natural\" or gentle — but formaldehyde release means sensitization risk is real",{"label":195,"value":196},"ACDS listing","Included in ACDS patch test series as a formaldehyde-related preservative allergen",[],{},true,"/learn/ingredients/sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate",[202],{"slug":203,"title":204},"/learn/reading-cosmetic-labels","How to Read Cosmetic Labels",{"title":5,"description":182},"moderate","sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate","learn/ingredients/sodium-hydroxymethylglycinate","A formaldehyde-releasing preservative derived from glycine — often misidentified as natural-safe",[211,212,213],"Allergic contact dermatitis in formaldehyde-sensitive individuals","Redness and itching at application site","Eczema exacerbation",[215,102],"SHG","Qkwc37wCFtMql3grIa6SNklf65xnLUNA_Umb5LUdrOw",1778416676182]