A preservative derived from glycine, listed in Annex V and linked to an Annex II entry.
What it is
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is the sodium salt of N-(hydroxymethyl)glycine, a substituted amino acid; it is one of the preservatives that release formaldehyde. CosIng lists it as a hair-conditioning agent and preservative. In the EU it is listed in Annex V (allowed preservatives), and the EU data also link it to an entry in Annex II (prohibited substances).
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits of the Annex V entry and for what the Annex II entry covers.
Functions
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Preservative
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
EU regulation
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2021/1902
- Maximum concentration
- 0.5%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2021/1902