Polyoxymethylene Urea
AKA “Urea Formaldehyde Resin, Urea Powder”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Polyoxymethylene urea
AKA: Urea Formaldehyde Resin, Urea Powder
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A natural bulking agent that helps create a smooth, even texture in formulas, giving your product the right consistency for easy application.
CAS #
68611-64-3, 9011-05-6
See origin →
Functions
Bulking
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Adds Body & Volume
Adds volume
Traditional Use
A synthetic polymer created in the 20th century from formaldehyde and urea. Developed as a functional ingredient to replace natural mineral powders and improve product texture.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Formaldehyde
EWG
4
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyoxymethylene Urea
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Polyoxymethylene Urea
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polyoxymethylene Urea
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR