DM Hydantoin
AKA “Dimethylhydantoin, 4-Imidazolidinedione, Dantoin DMH, 4-imidazolidinedione, Dantoin 736, Hydantoin, 5-Dimethyl hydantoin”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Dm hydantoin
AKA: Dimethylhydantoin, 4-Imidazolidinedione, Dantoin DMH, 4-imidazolidinedione, Dantoin 736, 5-Dimethyl hydantoin
Synthetic · Humectant · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Synthetic
Clean
Helps condition and soften hair while thickening the product formula for better texture and application.
Solubility Very soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone, benzene, chloroform; soluble in DMSO
Formula
C5H8N2O2
Mol. Weight
128.13
CAS #
77-71-4
Form
Powder
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Viscosity Controlling
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Moisturising
Conditions Hair
Controls Viscosity
Softens and detangles hair
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
A synthetic preservative compound developed in the 20th century for cosmetic antimicrobial purposes. Formulated to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products as an alternative to traditional preservation methods.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of DMDM Hydantoin
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Report Terminated: DM Hydantoin (not used in cosmetics and personal care products)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
DM Hydantoin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
DMDM Hydantoin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Patch test reactivity to DMDM hydantoin. Relationship to formaldehyde allergy.
de Groot AC, van Joost T, Bos JD, van der Meeren HL, Weyland JW
Contact dermatitis, 1988
DM Hydantoin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
DMDM Hydantoin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
5- (α, β-Dibromophenethyl)-5-methylhydantoin
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR