INTRODUCTION

Imidazolidinyl urea is a widely used antimicrobial preservative in the cosmetic and personal care industry. It is a formaldehyde-releasing compound that effectively inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds, thereby extending the shelf life of formulations. Due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and cost-effectiveness, it is commonly used in rinse-off and leave-on products within regulated concentration limits.

MANUFACTURE

It is manufactured by controlled condensation of urea and allantoin with formaldehyde under regulated temperature and pH conditions. The reaction mass is then stabilized, purified, and dried to obtain a preservative with consistent quality and low free formaldehyde content.

Synonym(s)N,N”-Methylenebis-{N’-[3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolinyl]-urea}
CAS no.39236-46-9
EINECS no.254-372-6
Molecular formulaC11H16N8O8
Molecular weight388.29
Structure

APPLICATIONS

It is widely used as an effective antimicrobial preservative, mainly in cosmetic and personal care formulations. Its key applications include:

Skin care products:
Creams, lotions, moisturizers, sunscreens, serums, and hand creams to prevent microbial contamination.
Hair care products:
Shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and styling gels to ensure product stability during storage and use.
Chronic iron deficiency conditions:
Suitable for long-term iron supplementation in conditions requiring sustained iron replacement, including chronic blood loss or malabsorption.
Cleansing products:
Facial cleansers, makeup removers, and hand washes.
Baby care products:
Used in regulated concentrations in wipes and mild formulations (subject to regional regulations).
Cosmetic formulations:
Foundations, makeup bases, and other water-based cosmetics.
Imidazolidinyl urea is often combined with other preservatives (such as parabens) to achieve broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection, especially against bacteria, yeast, and molds.

SPECIFICATIONS

TestUnitSpecification
DescriptionWhite odourless, tasteless powder
SolubilitySoluble in wáter, glycerin
Sparingly soluble in propylene glicol Insoluble in most organic solvents
IdentificationThe infrared absorption spectrum of the sample should be concordant with the IR spectrum obtained from Imidurea WS/RS
Color & clarity of solutionThe solution is clear & colourless
pHBetween 6.0 and 7.5
Loss on drying%Not more than 3.0
Residue on ignition%Not mor than 3.0
Heavy metal%Not more than 0.001
Nitrogen content (on dried basis)%Between 26.0 and 28.0

PACKING
25 kg cardboard box.

STORAGE
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.

REACH status
Not registered.

ExSyn offers Imidazolidinyl urea on commercial scales and welcomes enquiries. Our exceptional quality and service will make ExSyn your supplier of choice! If you need any additional information or SDS, please contact us.

More Products
In focus: N,N-Dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG Na)
Products in focus · 17/03/2026

N,N-Dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG Na) is the sodium salt form of N,N-dimethylglycine, a tertiary amino acid derivative is white to off white crystalline solid, freely soluble in water.

READ MORE
In focus: Blown Castor Oil (15-17 Poise)
Products in focus · 10/03/2026

Blown Castor Oil (15-17 Poise) is a modified grade of Castor oil. The “15-17 Poise” specification refers to its viscosity range, indicating a medium-viscosity blown oil suitable for industrial applications requiring improved body, tackiness, and elasticity compared to regular castor oil.

READ MORE
In focus: Dimethyl Amino Ethanol (DMAE)
Products in focus · 03/03/2026

Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) is a is a tertiary amine that is ethanolamine having two N-methyl substituents. It is clear & colourless to pale yellow liquid with ammoniacal odor.  DMAE is stable at room temperature and is completely miscible with water as well as organic solvents such as alcohols and ethers. It decomposes at high temperatures. It is a versatile chemical intermediate primarily used as a curing agent for polyurethane foams and epoxy resins.

READ MORE
In focus: 1,4,7-Trimethyl-1,4,7-triazonane (Me₃TACN)
Products in focus · 24/02/2026

1,4,7-Trimethyl-1,4,7-triazonane (Me₃TACN) is a valuable macrocyclic tridentate ligand derived from 1,4,7-triazacyclononane. In Me₃TACN, each nitrogen atom is substituted with a methyl group, which significantly modifies its steric and electronic properties. Me₃TACN is widely used as a ligand in coordination chemistry due to its ability to form stable complexes with transition metals such as Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn.

READ MORE
In focus: Adenosine
Products in focus · 17/02/2026

Adenosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside composed of adenine and ribose, present in all living cells. It plays a vital role in biochemical processes such as energy transfer (ATP/ADP), signal transduction, and regulation of physiological functions, and is widely used in pharmaceutical applications.

READ MORE
In focus: Methyl-2- Methoxy-5-Sulfamoyl Benzoate
Products in focus · 10/02/2026

Methyl-2-Methoxy-5-Sulfamoyl Benzoate (MSMB) is a sulfur containing organic building block acting as a chemical intermediate. MSMB contains ester and sulfamoyl functional groups, which make it useful as a pharmaceutical and fine-chemical intermediate.

READ MORE
In focus: 2-Cyanoethyl tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite
Products in focus · 20/01/2026

Phosphorodiamidites are a unique class of phosphorus-based compounds characterized by one P–O bond and two P–N moieties. 2-Cyanoethyl tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite plays a crucial role in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Beyond their application as synthetic precursors for oligonucleotides, phosphorodiamidites have also been reported as valuable starting materials for the synthesis of industrially relevant polymers and flame-resistant materials, including adhesives, coatings, and laminates.

READ MORE
In focus: Ferric Maltol
Products in focus · 13/01/2026

Ferric maltol is an oral iron complex composed of ferric iron (Fe³⁺) chelated with maltol, designed to improve iron absorption while reducing common gastrointestinal side effects associated with traditional iron salts. It is primarily used in the management of iron deficiency with better tolerability.

READ MORE
In focus: Phosphatidylcholine 90% from Soya Lecithin
Products in focus · 09/12/2025

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is one of the most important phospholipids derived from soya lecithin and represents a key structural component of cell membranes. Phosphatidylcholine 90% refers to a highly purified grade where the PC content is enriched to around 90% through specialized extraction and purification steps.

READ MORE