Imidurea
Also known as: Imidazolidinyl urea
INCI name: Imidurea
What it does
A preservative that works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde to keep bacteria and mould out of a water-based product.
Benefits
Cheap, effective and broad-spectrum — it keeps a shampoo safe to use for the life of the bottle.
Concerns & Risks
A formaldehyde releaser, and formaldehyde is a recognised contact allergen and a classified human carcinogen by inhalation. Levels in a rinse-off shampoo are very low and regarded as safe by regulators, but anyone with a formaldehyde sensitivity should avoid it, and many brands have moved to alternatives.
Comedogenic rating
Non-comedogenic (0)
Suitable for
People without a formaldehyde sensitivity
Avoid if
You have a formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releaser allergy, or you avoid them on principle
Typical concentration
0.1–0.5%
Products containing Imidurea
1 product in our database