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CAS 6440-58-0
SINOBIO
2933210000
Dimethyloldimethyl hydantoin (DMDMH, CAS 6440-58-0) is an antimicrobial preservative widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Its core advantage lies in its highly effective antibacterial properties through the sustained release of formaldehyde. It also exhibits strong stability and good water solubility. However, concerns remain regarding safety concerns arising from its formaldehyde-releasing properties.
1. Chemical Structure
DMDMH belongs to the hydantoin family of compounds, chemically known as 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione. Its molecular structure consists of two hydroxymethyl groups (-CH₂OH) and a hydantoin ring, which enables it to slowly release formaldehyde (HCHO), thereby exerting its antimicrobial activity.
2. Physical Properties
*Appearance: White to off-white solid powder.
*Solubility: Freely soluble in water (140 g/L at 20°C) and soluble in organic solvents such as methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). *Stability: Stable in a dry environment, but may decompose in DMSO solution; has a wide pH range and can remain active under acidic to neutral conditions.
In cosmetic and personal care formulations, DMDMH is a cost-effective preservative with potent antimicrobial properties. Its outstanding value for money has made it a common ingredient in many daily chemical products. Its broad antimicrobial spectrum effectively inhibits not only Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but also yeast and mold growth. This fundamentally prevents product deterioration, odor, and loss of efficacy due to microbial contamination, providing a critical guarantee for product safety throughout its shelf life.
Compared to traditional preservatives, DMDMH offers a significant advantage in being effective at low concentrations—only a small amount is required to achieve optimal antimicrobial efficacy. This characteristic makes it highly compatible in formulations. DMDMH is stable and coexists with cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants, as well as various emulsifiers and protein-based active ingredients. Interactions between ingredients do not affect product stability or user experience, significantly reducing compatibility risks during formulation development.
DMDMH has demonstrated excellent stability in complex environments through rigorous laboratory validation. It not only maintains chemical stability over extended storage periods, resisting decomposition and degradation, but also withstands a wide range of pH values (from acidic to slightly alkaline) and temperature fluctuations (such as those encountered during heating during production and changes in ambient temperature during transportation and storage). It can meet the production and storage requirements of diverse products without the need for additional stabilizers.
Furthermore, DMDMH is highly water-soluble, dissolving rapidly and dispersing evenly in aqueous solutions. This eliminates the need for organic solvents, simplifying production processes such as stirring and mixing, while reducing the risk of skin irritation from residual solvents. Its colorless and odorless nature is a further advantage—it does not interfere with the color (e.g., clear serums, white lotions) or fragrance (e.g., floral-scented face creams, fruity shower gels), making it ideally suited to diverse formulation requirements and ensuring a consistent sensory experience.
Items | Standard |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
Assay | 55±2% |
Formaldehyde | ≥17.0% |
Free Formaldehyde | ≤1.0% |
Water | 45±2% |
*Mechanism of Action: DMDMH slowly releases formaldehyde to destroy the protein structure of microorganisms, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast, thereby extending product shelf life.
*Applications: Widely used in rinse-off and leave-on products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and skincare to prevent spoilage caused by microbial contamination.
*Compared to other preservatives (such as parabens), DMDMH achieves antibacterial effects at lower concentrations (typically 0.05%-0.2%), minimizing its impact on product formulations.
*Stable to light, heat, and pH fluctuations, DMDMH is compatible with most cosmetic ingredients without affecting product texture, scent, or color.
*High water solubility allows for easy, even dispersion in formulations, making it particularly suitable for preservatives in water-based products (such as toners and lotions).
200KG/Drum or IBC Drum, We provide customized package for different quantity.

Dimethyloldimethyl hydantoin (DMDMH, CAS 6440-58-0) is an antimicrobial preservative widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Its core advantage lies in its highly effective antibacterial properties through the sustained release of formaldehyde. It also exhibits strong stability and good water solubility. However, concerns remain regarding safety concerns arising from its formaldehyde-releasing properties.
1. Chemical Structure
DMDMH belongs to the hydantoin family of compounds, chemically known as 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione. Its molecular structure consists of two hydroxymethyl groups (-CH₂OH) and a hydantoin ring, which enables it to slowly release formaldehyde (HCHO), thereby exerting its antimicrobial activity.
2. Physical Properties
*Appearance: White to off-white solid powder.
*Solubility: Freely soluble in water (140 g/L at 20°C) and soluble in organic solvents such as methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). *Stability: Stable in a dry environment, but may decompose in DMSO solution; has a wide pH range and can remain active under acidic to neutral conditions.
In cosmetic and personal care formulations, DMDMH is a cost-effective preservative with potent antimicrobial properties. Its outstanding value for money has made it a common ingredient in many daily chemical products. Its broad antimicrobial spectrum effectively inhibits not only Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but also yeast and mold growth. This fundamentally prevents product deterioration, odor, and loss of efficacy due to microbial contamination, providing a critical guarantee for product safety throughout its shelf life.
Compared to traditional preservatives, DMDMH offers a significant advantage in being effective at low concentrations—only a small amount is required to achieve optimal antimicrobial efficacy. This characteristic makes it highly compatible in formulations. DMDMH is stable and coexists with cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants, as well as various emulsifiers and protein-based active ingredients. Interactions between ingredients do not affect product stability or user experience, significantly reducing compatibility risks during formulation development.
DMDMH has demonstrated excellent stability in complex environments through rigorous laboratory validation. It not only maintains chemical stability over extended storage periods, resisting decomposition and degradation, but also withstands a wide range of pH values (from acidic to slightly alkaline) and temperature fluctuations (such as those encountered during heating during production and changes in ambient temperature during transportation and storage). It can meet the production and storage requirements of diverse products without the need for additional stabilizers.
Furthermore, DMDMH is highly water-soluble, dissolving rapidly and dispersing evenly in aqueous solutions. This eliminates the need for organic solvents, simplifying production processes such as stirring and mixing, while reducing the risk of skin irritation from residual solvents. Its colorless and odorless nature is a further advantage—it does not interfere with the color (e.g., clear serums, white lotions) or fragrance (e.g., floral-scented face creams, fruity shower gels), making it ideally suited to diverse formulation requirements and ensuring a consistent sensory experience.
Items | Standard |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
Assay | 55±2% |
Formaldehyde | ≥17.0% |
Free Formaldehyde | ≤1.0% |
Water | 45±2% |
*Mechanism of Action: DMDMH slowly releases formaldehyde to destroy the protein structure of microorganisms, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast, thereby extending product shelf life.
*Applications: Widely used in rinse-off and leave-on products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and skincare to prevent spoilage caused by microbial contamination.
*Compared to other preservatives (such as parabens), DMDMH achieves antibacterial effects at lower concentrations (typically 0.05%-0.2%), minimizing its impact on product formulations.
*Stable to light, heat, and pH fluctuations, DMDMH is compatible with most cosmetic ingredients without affecting product texture, scent, or color.
*High water solubility allows for easy, even dispersion in formulations, making it particularly suitable for preservatives in water-based products (such as toners and lotions).
200KG/Drum or IBC Drum, We provide customized package for different quantity.
