preservative
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Generally safe·Moderate evidence
A preservative that protects cosmetics from microbial growth. It is permitted in the EU and US and is graded as having low concern in published assessments. It is less widely known than parabens but carries a similar safety profile in use.
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.