Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives in Personal Care Products

Every day, millions of people begin their morning rituals with a seemingly harmless lineup: shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, maybe a spritz of hairspray or a dab of moisturizer. These products promise cleanliness, confidence, and beauty. But what if the very items you rely on to care for yourself were quietly putting your health at risk?

Recent scientific research reveals an unsettling truth: many common personal care products—especially those frequently marketed to and used by Black and Latina women—contain chemicals that release formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. These ingredients, often hiding behind technical names and unfamiliar labels, may be exposing people to cancer risks and other serious health issues day after day.

If you or someone you love has used personal care products over a long period and developed a serious illness like breast cancer, uterine cancer, or other unexplained health problems, you’re not alone and you deserve answers.

Let’s break down what formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are, where they’re found, and what we currently know about their potential dangers—and how personal care products lawsuits are helping expose the truth.

What Are Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas often used in building materials and household products. It is a well-established carcinogen, which means it’s known to cause cancer in humans. Because of its potent ability to kill bacteria and fungi, formaldehyde is also used in small amounts in cosmetics and personal care products to preserve shelf life.

But here’s the catch: instead of adding formaldehyde directly, many companies use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs)—chemical compounds that slowly release formaldehyde over time. This makes the product last longer without obviously listing “formaldehyde” on the ingredient label.

These FRPs often appear under names that many consumers don’t recognize, such as:

• DMDM hydantoin
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Quaternium-15
• Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)

Because of their technical names, many people don’t realize they’re being exposed to formaldehyde at all.

Where Are These Chemicals Found?

According to a new peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives have been detected in a wide variety of personal care products (PCPs). This includes items most people use daily or multiple times per week, such as:

• Lotions
• Shampoos
• Conditioners
• Body soaps and shower gels
• Hair relaxers and styling gels
• Facial cleansers
• Cosmetics like eyelash glue and eyeliner

In a community-based study involving 70 Black and Latina women in South Los Angeles, more than half of participants (53%) used at least one product containing a formaldehyde-releasing chemical. Often, they were unaware of the presence of such ingredients.

This is particularly alarming given the frequency with which these products are applied—sometimes multiple times per day—and the fact that many are leave-on products, which sit on the skin and are absorbed over time.

The Disproportionate Impact on Women of Color

The concern around formaldehyde in personal care products is not just a matter of chemistry—it’s a matter of justice. Studies, including the Taking Stock Study by Silent Spring Institute and community partners, have documented that Black and Latina women are disproportionately exposed to these harmful ingredients.

Why? In part, it’s due to the societal pressures and racialized beauty standards that encourage the use of certain products, particularly hair straighteners, relaxers, and styling gels, which often contain high levels of toxic chemicals.

For many Black women, for instance, hair straightening is not simply about style—it’s historically been tied to social acceptance and professional advancement. Similarly, Latina women often use a variety of cosmetic products and skin-lightening treatments marketed specifically to them.

Unfortunately, these products are more likely to contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. In the Taking Stock Study, 47% of skincare products and 58% of hair products with FRPs contained DMDM hydantoin, the most common formaldehyde-releasing ingredient.

This pattern of exposure raises serious concerns about racial and ethnic health disparities. It’s not just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about who’s most at risk and why.

Health Risks of Formaldehyde Exposure

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classify formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure, even at low levels, can contribute to the development of various types of cancer, including:

• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Leukemia
• Sinonasal cancers
• Breast cancer
• Uterine cancer

Formaldehyde is also associated with skin irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, respiratory issues, and eye irritation. In some individuals, especially those with sensitive skin or existing allergies, these reactions can be severe.

What’s particularly troubling is that exposure doesn’t have to come from industrial settings or labs. Every day use of personal care products—especially when several items with FRPs are used together—can create cumulative, long-term exposure that may significantly increase health risks over time.

Why Is This Legal?

You might be wondering: If formaldehyde is so dangerous, why are these chemicals allowed in products at all?

It’s a fair question and one that many health experts, scientists, and advocacy groups are asking, too.

Unlike the European Union, which banned the use of formaldehyde in cosmetics in 2009 and requires warning labels on products containing formaldehyde releasers, the U.S. has much weaker regulations when it comes to ingredients in personal care products.

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has limited authority to require safety testing or approve cosmetic ingredients before they hit the market. Although the FDA proposed a rule in 2023 to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners, it has not yet been enacted.

Some states, including California and Washington, are moving ahead with their own bans on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, but these changes won’t take effect until 2025 or later, and enforcement remains to be seen.

For now, it’s largely up to consumers to protect themselves—a responsibility that many argue should rest with manufacturers and regulators instead.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

It’s not easy to decode long chemical names or avoid exposure when information is scarce or buried in fine print. But there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Read ingredient labels carefully: Watch for names like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, and imidazolidinyl urea.
• Use apps like Detox Me or Clearya: These tools can help you scan product ingredients and flag harmful chemicals.
• Look for “formaldehyde-free” labels, but be cautious—many products with FRPs still claim to be “natural” or “safe.”
• Avoid hair relaxers and treatments that list formaldehyde or methylene glycol, especially those used in Brazilian blowouts or similar services.
• Support legislation that bans toxic ingredients: Stay informed and use your voice to advocate for safer products.

Most importantly, listen to your body. If you’ve experienced unexplained symptoms, such as chronic skin irritation, hormonal imbalances, or a cancer diagnosis, and you believe personal care products could be a factor, seek medical advice and keep a record of your product use.

You Deserve the Truth—and Accountability

When you do your best to care for yourself and your family, you shouldn’t have to worry that the products you trust might be harming your health. And yet, for many people—especially women of color—that’s precisely what’s happening.

The research is still emerging, but the message is already clear: formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are a hidden danger in everyday products. The public deserves better.

A Broken System: How Dangerous Chemicals End Up in Consumer Products

Many people assume that the personal care products sold in stores must be safe—that if something was dangerous, it simply wouldn’t be allowed. But the truth is, the personal care industry in the U.S. is woefully under-regulated.

Unlike food or drugs, cosmetics and personal care products do not need to be approved by the FDA before they are sold to consumers. Manufacturers are not required to prove their products are safe, nor are they obligated to list every ingredient if it falls under certain vague terms like “fragrance” or “preservative.”

This means that:

• Dangerous chemicals can be added to products without any pre-market safety testing.
• Companies can use formaldehyde releasers without clearly identifying them as such on labels.
• Consumers are left to navigate this landscape on their own, often without the knowledge or tools to protect themselves.

And when problems arise—whether it’s a spike in cancer cases, allergic reactions, or chronic skin conditions—there is no formal recall process or automatic investigation. The burden falls on individuals, their doctors, and researchers to piece together the truth.

Industry Influence and Racial Disparities

The lack of regulation in this space is not accidental. The beauty and personal care industry is a multibillion-dollar enterprise with a powerful lobby. Historically, efforts to increase oversight have been met with strong resistance from manufacturers who claim that stricter rules would hurt innovation or profits.

Meanwhile, marketing practices have heavily targeted communities of color, often promoting products designed to “correct” natural features like curly hair or dark skin. These products—more likely to contain high levels of toxic ingredients—are presented as necessary tools for assimilation and success.

The result? Black and Latina women are exposed to more harmful chemicals, more often, and for longer durations. And because these communities are also more likely to experience healthcare disparities and environmental injustice, the cumulative impact is both devastating and unjust.

This is not just a public health issue—it is a matter of environmental justice.

The Push for Reform

Thankfully, advocacy and awareness are beginning to make a difference. In recent years, several key developments have helped shine a light on the issue:

• California and Washington have passed legislation banning formaldehyde and certain formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in personal care products starting in 2025.
• In 2023, the FDA proposed a national ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners—a long-overdue move that has yet to be finalized.
• Scientific organizations like Silent Spring Institute and advocacy groups such as Black Women for Wellness have conducted groundbreaking research and pushed for safer alternatives.
• Digital tools like Clearya and Detox Me are empowering consumers to identify harmful ingredients and choose safer products.

Still, these efforts are just the beginning. For real change to happen, we need systemic reform—clear labeling, stronger federal oversight, and accountability for manufacturers who prioritize profits over people’s health.

What If You’ve Already Been Exposed?

If you’re reading this and realizing that you’ve used products with FRPs—especially over many years—you may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed. That’s completely understandable.

First, it’s important to remember: exposure does not always lead to illness, and many factors influence health outcomes, including genetics, lifestyle, and cumulative exposures. However, if you or a loved one has developed serious health issues like breast cancer, uterine cancer, respiratory problems, or chronic skin conditions, and you’ve used products now known to contain FRPs, you may want to:

1. Talk to Your Doctor

Discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider. Share the names of the products you’ve used, any symptoms you’ve experienced, and your exposure history. They can help you determine whether further testing or monitoring is appropriate.

2. Document Your Product Use

If possible, keep a written or photographic record of the products you’ve used—particularly those with ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, or imidazolidinyl urea. This documentation may be helpful if you decide to pursue further action or need it for medical evaluations.

3. Consider a Legal Consultation

While there is not yet a formal mass tort or class action lawsuit specific to FRPs in personal care products, legal professionals are paying close attention to this emerging issue. If you believe your health has been harmed by long-term exposure to these chemicals, a knowledgeable attorney can review your case and help determine whether legal action may be appropriate.

You Deserve Answers—and You’re Not Alone

The story of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: you should not have to risk your health just to take care of yourself. Personal care should mean just that: care, safety, and trust.

Instead, far too many people have been unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals under the guise of beauty and hygiene. It’s time to change that.

If you or someone you love has developed cancer or another serious illness after long-term use of personal care products, we encourage you to speak with a trusted attorney who understands the science and is committed to seeking justice.

How We Can Help

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we understand how confusing and frustrating it can be to realize that everyday products may have contributed to your illness. You trusted these items to help you look and feel your best, not to harm your health.

Our legal team is currently evaluating cases involving individuals who have been exposed to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and developed serious medical conditions. While there is no established mass tort litigation for this issue yet, we are listening and are here to help.

We offer:

• Free, confidential case evaluations
• Compassionate, one-on-one legal support
• Thorough investigation into your exposure history and medical records
• Collaboration with medical and scientific experts
• Clear explanations of your legal rights and options

We are committed to fighting for accountability, transparency, and safer products for everyone. You don’t have to go through this alone.

The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State’s ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.

Discuss Your Concerns About Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives with Our Trusted Lawyers

Your story matters. Your health matters. And you have the right to demand answers.

If you’ve used personal care products that contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and have developed cancer or another serious illness, reach out to us today to speak with a member of our compassionate legal team. Together, we can explore your legal options and begin the path toward healing and justice.

Contact Dolman Law Group today at 866-416-1344 or through our online form for a free consultation. We’re here when you’re ready.