

1,3-BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) -5,5-DIMETHYLIMIDAZOLIDINE-2,4-DIONE (+) ; 1,3-DIMETHYLOL-5,5-DIMETHYL HYDANTOIN; 2,4-IMIDAZOLIDINEDIONE, 1,3-BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) -5,5-DIMETHYL-; 1,3-BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) -5,5-DIMETHYL- 2,4-IMIDAZOLIDINEDIONE; 1,3-BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) -5,5-DIMETHYLIMIDAZOLIDINE-2,4-DIONE; 1,3-DIHYDROXYMETHYL-5,5 DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN; 2,4IMIDAZOLIDINEDIONE, 1,3BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) 5,5DIMETHYL; 1,3-BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) -5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN; 2,4-IMIDAZOLIDINEDIONE, 1,3-BIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) -5,5-DIMETHYL- (9CI) ; DANTOIN DMDMH 55; DIMETHYLOL-5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN


Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
![]() | Cancer |
![]() | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
![]() | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
![]() | Allergies/immunotoxicity |
![]() | Contamination concerns - FORMALDEHYDE |
![]() | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
![]() | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Data gaps |
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See products containing DMDM HYDANTOIN | |
About DMDM HYDANTOIN: DMDM Hydantoin is the organic compound. It should be noted that this material exists as an equilibrium mixture with MDM Hydantoin (q.v.).
DMDM HYDANTOIN has reported used in the following product types: shampoo (580); conditioner (480); body wash/cleanser (390); styling gel/lotion (345); moisturizer (329); facial moisturizer/treatment (237); facial cleanser (193); anti-aging (132); liquid hand soap (127); exfoliant/scrub (85)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Known human immune system toxicant | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use in products intended to be aerosolized, according to industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit) | Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics | Japan's Standards for Cosmetics |
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Human irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
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| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 1976 | |
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| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 11 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
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| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | DMDM HYDANTOIN | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product •Not safe for use in products intended to be aerosolized, according to industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Determined safe for use in cosmetics up to a specified concentration limit • •Sensitizer - can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin •Irritation (eyes, skin, or lungs) • |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | 2,4-IMIDAZOLIDINEDIONE, 1,3-BIS(HYDROXYMETHYL)-5,5-DIMETHYL- | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | 2,4-IMIDAZOLIDINEDIONE, 1,3-BIS(HYDROXYMETHYL)-5,5-DIMETHYL- | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | DMDM HYDANTOIN | •Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin or lungs: Yes; |
| Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | 1,3-DIMETHYLOL-5, 5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN | •Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit) |
| Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | 1,3-DIMETHYLOL-5, 5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN | •Japan - prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics |
| Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | 1,3-DIMETHYLOL-5, 5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN | •Japan - prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics |
| RTECS®- Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 1976 | DMDM HYDANTOIN | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LDLo) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1988 | DMDM HYDANTOIN | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1988 | DMDM HYDANTOIN | • kidney or renal system - Other changes (rat LD50) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) • gastrointestinal - Ulceration or bleeding from stomach (rat LD50) |
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25 |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 2006. Standards for Cosmetics. Evaluation and Licensing Division. Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau. |
| RTECS®- Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 1976 | RTECS®- Agricultural and Biological Chemistry. (Maruzen Co. Ltd., POB 5050, Tokyo International, Tokyo 100-31, Japan) V.25- 1961- 40,1705,1976 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1988 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 7(3),245,1988 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1988 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 7(3),245,1988 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
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