Rate My SPF

Imidazolidinyl Urea

What Imidazolidinyl Urea is & what it does

A formaldehyde-releasing preservative that protects against bacteria and fungi. It is effective but a possible sensitizer for formaldehyde-allergic skin.

What does Imidazolidinyl Urea do in skincare?

Imidazolidinyl Urea is a preservative used to protect cosmetic and sunscreen formulas from microbial growth. It works in part as a formaldehyde-releasing preservative, helping keep products safe and stable over their shelf life. It is often combined with other preservatives for broader coverage.

Is Imidazolidinyl Urea safe?

Imidazolidinyl Urea is an approved cosmetic preservative used within established concentration limits. Because it can release small amounts of formaldehyde, some people who are sensitive to formaldehyde may prefer to avoid it. If you have a known formaldehyde sensitivity, a dermatologist can help you choose suitable products.

Is Imidazolidinyl Urea natural or synthetic?

Imidazolidinyl Urea is synthetic, produced industrially rather than extracted from a natural source. Despite the name, it is not the same as the urea used as a humectant. Being synthetic, it generally contains no animal-derived material and is often suitable for vegan formulas.

Sunscreens with Imidazolidinyl Urea

We rate 47 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

← All ingredients