Ingredient decoder

Imidazolidinyl urea: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Imidazolidinyl Urea

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde.

  • Preservative

Imidazolidinyl urea in plain English

Imidazolidinyl urea is a preservative that slowly releases tiny amounts of formaldehyde to keep bacteria from growing. Some people are allergic to formaldehyde, so ingredients that release it are among the more common causes of preservative allergies. It does not clog pores, but if you have reactive skin or a known formaldehyde allergy, it is worth avoiding.

Is imidazolidinyl urea bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Imidazolidinyl urea is not a proven pore-clogger, but this preservative family is a well-known cause of skin allergies and irritation. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Imidazolidinyl Urea
  • Imidurea
  • Germall 115 urea
  • Imidazolidinylurea

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Frequently asked questions

Is imidazolidinyl urea comedogenic?

Imidazolidinyl urea has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does imidazolidinyl urea do in skincare?

In short: preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde. In formulas it is used for preservative.

What else is imidazolidinyl urea called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, imidazolidinyl urea can also appear as Imidurea, Germall 115 urea or Imidazolidinylurea.

Sources