Found in cosmetics including concealer, eyeliner, lash and brow pens, and mascara. Also found in hair care and hair styling products, moisturisers and scrubs, and face wash.
Uses
Used as a preservative in cosmetics, shampoos, deodorants, body lotions, and in some therapeutic topical ointments and creams.
Benefits
• Broad spectrum preservative
• Effectively forms formaldehyde in formulations
• High water solubility
• Very active against gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria
Usage Rate
Use in concentrations of <0.5%.
Strengths
One of the most common antimicrobial agents used in cosmetics.
Caution
Imidazolidinyl Urea (Imid Urea) is an antimicrobial preservative that acts as a formaldehyde releaser. It is used in a wide variety of products including cosmetics and toiletries. Imidazolidinyl Urea is more active against bacteria than fungi and is often combined with parabens to provide a broad spectrum preservative system. It is one of the most widely used preservative systems in the world.
Due to its high water solubility, Imidazolidinyl Urea may be blended into almost all water-based cosmetics, toiletries, and cold-mix formulations.