Ingredient · dataset v56
DMDM Hydantoin and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A formaldehyde-donor preservative used at trace levels; no lipid substrate. Its preservative-level antimicrobial action is not Malassezia-treatment evidence, and the formaldehyde-release controversy is a sensitivity question, not our axis.
Trace preservative; judged for our axis only.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Preservative
Checked products with this ingredient (1)
Product types: Moisturizers
Moisturizers (1)
Related preservative
- Anisic Acid — No known trigger
- Benzisothiazolinone — No known trigger
- Benzyl Alcohol — No known trigger
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene — No known trigger
- Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate — No known trigger
- Butylparaben — No known trigger
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid — No known trigger
- Chlorhexidine Digluconate — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does DMDM Hydantoin trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A formaldehyde-donor preservative used at trace levels; no lipid substrate. Its preservative-level antimicrobial action is not Malassezia-treatment evidence, and the formaldehyde-release controversy is a sensitivity question, not our axis.
Does DMDM Hydantoin feed Malassezia?
No known link: DMDM Hydantoin is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing DMDM Hydantoin →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.