DMDM Hydantoin: The Hair Care Ingredient to Avoid

There was recently a lawsuit against Unilever, the makers of TRESemmé, claiming their products cause hair loss and irritation. This has brought the culprit of the issue, DMDM Hydantoin, to the forefront of many consumers’ minds. Several Tiktoks have also gone viral in conjunction with this lawsuit containing lists of other brands that, like TRESemmé, use DMDM Hydantoin in their hair care products. 

So what exactly is DMDM Hydantoin, and why should you avoid it? It is an ingredient used as a preservative in many beauty products. However, it is also a formaldehyde releaser. When DMDM Hydantoin comes in contact with water, it slowly leeches formaldehyde. “Formaldehyde is a well-known human carcinogen that can cause cancer and other harmful reactions when absorbed into skin.” Some consumers have noted that they experienced several different side effects such as skin irritation, hair loss, and other allergic reactions from using products that contain this ingredient. This makes sense, as formaldehyde is a skin irritant/toxin and a known human allergen. 

After hearing about this, I immediately had to look up my shampoo and conditioner to see if it contained DMDM Hydantoin. I quickly discovered that the products I had been using for several years were right at the top of the list. (you can check this link to find out if your products contain DMDM Hydantoin as well). Knowing this, I then decided I needed to do some research to find alternatives that were better for my hair.

Here are some of the best brands I found that are DMDM Hydantoin free:

Image Courtesy: Pinterest

Garnier Fructis ($)

Herbal Essences ($)

Aubrey ($)

Acure ($)

Maui Moisture ($)

Avalon Organics ($)

Shea Moisture ($-$$)

Aveda ($$)

Olaplex ($$)

Redken ($$)

Biolage Matrix ($$)

Function of Beauty ($$) 

Kérastase ($$-$$$) 

There are many other hidden toxins and ingredients in many products that are important to look out for (fragrance is a big red flag, as brands often use it to sneak in other irritants). This is a great source to see the full list of different ingredients in your products and the certain side effects they can cause. Remember to pay attention to the ingredients in your beauty products. Making these small switches can make all the difference in your health.

Strike Out,

Becca Morency

Nashville