Imidazolidinyl Urea

Q: What does Imidazolidinyl Urea do in my formula?

It acts as a preservative to protect water-containing products from bacteria, yeast, and mold, helping keep your formula safe and stable over its shelf life.

Q: How much should I use?

Typical use level is 0.1–0.5%. Many formulators start around 0.2–0.3% and adjust based on challenge testing and product type.

Q: When do I add it?

Add it to the water phase. It dissolves at room temperature, and many formulators prefer adding it during cool-down (below about 40–45°C / 104–113°F) to limit unnecessary heat exposure.

Q: What does “formaldehyde donor” mean, and is it safe?

It means the preservative works by releasing very small, controlled amounts of formaldehyde in the formula to inhibit microbes. When used within regulatory limits and validated by preservative efficacy testing, it is a well-established preservation approach in cosmetics.

Q: Do I need another preservative with it?

Often yes. It is strong against bacteria, and pairing with a compatible fungistatic preservative (commonly parabens) helps ensure full protection against yeast and mold.

Q: Will it work in low- or high-pH formulas?

Yes. It remains effective across an approximate pH range of 3–9, providing flexibility for many product formats.

Q: Is it suitable for color cosmetics and surfactant systems?

Yes. It is widely used in liquid makeup, cleansers, and shampoos/conditioners, offering preservation without compromising texture, clarity, or foam.

Broad-Spectrum Preservative for Ultimate Product Protection

INCI Name: Imidazolidinyl Urea

Imidazolidinyl Urea is a reliable, water-soluble preservative that delivers strong antimicrobial protection at low use levels. Highly effective across a broad pH range (approx. 3–9), it excels at controlling bacteria and is frequently combined with complementary preservatives (such as parabens) to achieve robust protection against yeast and mold. Ideal for creams, lotions, cleansers, hair care, color cosmetics, and wet wipes.

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Creams & Lotions

Provides dependable preservation in oil-in-water emulsions, helping prevent spoilage and extending shelf life.
Shampoos & Conditioners

Protects high-water-content hair care systems from microbial growth without affecting foam or conditioning performance.
Liquid Foundations & Color Cosmetics

Maintains product integrity and safety in water-containing makeup, supporting clean wear and stable shelf life.
Wet Wipes & Towelettes

Preserves aqueous wipe solutions from production through end use, reducing the risk of microbial contamination.
Water-Based Serums

Delivers strong preservation in lightweight, active-rich formulas without impacting clarity or skin feel.
Body Washes & Facial Cleansers

Offers robust, cost-effective preservation in surfactant systems commonly exposed to humid environments.

How to Use Imidazolidinyl Urea in Your Formulations

Understanding Imidazolidinyl Urea

Preservatives are your formula’s security system. Any product containing water can support the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. Imidazolidinyl Urea is a proven, broad-spectrum preservative supplied as a fine white, water-soluble powder that helps keep your products safe, stable, and fresh over their intended shelf life.

Technically, Imidazolidinyl Urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative. It works by releasing very small, controlled amounts of formaldehyde in-situ, providing strong antibacterial efficacy and contributing to broad-spectrum protection. It’s highly effective over a wide pH range and is commonly paired with complementary preservatives (e.g., parabens) to enhance antifungal performance against yeast and mold. It dissolves readily in water and is compatible with most cosmetic ingredients across skin, hair, and body care formats.

Formulation Tips

Typical use level is 0.1–0.5% of the total formula. For most emulsions and surfactant systems, 0.2–0.3% is a strong starting point. Imidazolidinyl Urea dissolves in water at room temperature—add it to the water phase and mix until fully dissolved. To minimize unnecessary thermal exposure, many formulators add it during the cool-down phase (<40–45°C / 104–113°F). It remains effective across a wide formulation pH window (about pH 3–9), offering excellent flexibility for diverse product types. For complete broad-spectrum coverage, combine with a compatible fungistatic agent (commonly parabens) to boost yeast and mold protection.

Key Formulation Benefits

Broad-Spectrum Preservation: Effective protection against bacteria and, when paired appropriately, strong defense against yeast and mold.
Wide pH Flexibility: Performs across approximately pH 3–9 for use in many systems, from cleansers to creams.
Water-Soluble & Easy to Use: Dissolves readily in the water phase; can be added at room temperature.
High Compatibility: Works well in emulsions, surfactant systems, and color cosmetics without destabilizing textures.
Cost-Effective Efficacy: Low use levels deliver robust preservation and dependable product protection.
Synergistic Performance: Pairs effectively with parabens and other fungistatic preservatives for complete coverage.

Heading #1
Benefits	Formulation Versatility, Microbial Protection, Preservation & Stability, Shelf-Life Extension, Wide pH Range
INCI Name	Imidazolidinyl Urea
Usage Rate	0.1%-0.5%
Functional Type	Broad-Spectrum Preservatives, Formaldehyde Donors, Preservatives & Antimicrobials
Phase Compatibility	Cool-Down Phase, Water Phase
Application Area	Body, Face, Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability	Cleansers, Color Cosmetics, Conditioners, Creams & Lotions, Serums & Essences, Shampoos, Wet Wipes
Certifications	Cruelty-Free, Vegan
Physical Form	Powder

Frequently Asked Questions About Imidazolidinyl Urea

It acts as a preservative to protect water-containing products from bacteria, yeast, and mold, helping keep your formula safe and stable over its shelf life.

Typical use level is 0.1–0.5%. Many formulators start around 0.2–0.3% and adjust based on challenge testing and product type.

Add it to the water phase. It dissolves at room temperature, and many formulators prefer adding it during cool-down (below about 40–45°C / 104–113°F) to limit unnecessary heat exposure.

It means the preservative works by releasing very small, controlled amounts of formaldehyde in the formula to inhibit microbes. When used within regulatory limits and validated by preservative efficacy testing, it is a well-established preservation approach in cosmetics.

Often yes. It is strong against bacteria, and pairing with a compatible fungistatic preservative (commonly parabens) helps ensure full protection against yeast and mold.

Yes. It remains effective across an approximate pH range of 3–9, providing flexibility for many product formats.

Yes. It is widely used in liquid makeup, cleansers, and shampoos/conditioners, offering preservation without compromising texture, clarity, or foam.

Contact An Expert

Only 4 fields to get started. An expert will respond within 1 business day.

Your Samples Are Waiting

You've selected the following samples:

You haven't added any samples yet! Visit our product pages to select samples you'd like to request. Once you've added samples, return here to complete your request.

Ready to try them out?

Log In

Cookie Notice

The website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. View our Privacy Policy to learn more.