Ingredient decoder

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde.

  • Hair conditioning
  • Preservative

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate in plain English

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is a preservative made from the amino acid glycine that works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde. Some people are allergic to formaldehyde, so ingredients that release it are among the more common causes of preservative allergies. It does not clog pores, but if you have reactive skin or a known formaldehyde allergy, it is worth avoiding.

Is sodium hydroxymethylglycinate bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is not a proven pore-clogger, but this preservative family is a well-known cause of skin allergies and irritation. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
  • Sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate
  • Sodium n-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate

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Frequently asked questions

Is sodium hydroxymethylglycinate comedogenic?

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does sodium hydroxymethylglycinate do in skincare?

In short: preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde. In formulas it is used for hair conditioning and preservative.

What else is sodium hydroxymethylglycinate called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate can also appear as Sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate or Sodium n-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate.

Sources