It is used in many cosmetics, skin care products, shampoos and conditioners, as well as a wide range of products including bubble baths, baby wipes and household detergents. Diazolidinyl urea is found in the commercially available preservative Germaben.
Commercial diazolidinyl urea is a mixture of different formaldehyde addition products including polymers.[2]
Diazolidinyl urea was poorly characterized until recently and the single Chemical Abstracts Service structure assigned to it is probably not the major one in the commercial material. Instead, new data indicate that one of the hydroxymethylfunctional groups of the imidazolidine ring is attached to the carbon, rather than on the urea nitrogen atom:[2]
In addition to being an allergen, it is a formaldehyde releaser, since it generates formaldehyde slowly as it degrades. Although the formaldehyde acts as a bactericidal preservative, it is a known carcinogen.
^Zug, K. A.; Warshaw, E. M.; Fowler, J. F. Jr; Maibach, H. I.; Belsito, D. L.; Pratt, M. D.; Sasseville, D.; Storrs, F. J.; Taylor, J. S.; Mathias, C. G.; Deleo, V. A.; Rietschel, R. L.; Marks, J. (May–June 2009). "Patch-test results of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2005–2006". Dermatitis. 20 (3): 149–160.