Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile

Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile Description

Methyldibromo glutaronitrile is an ingredient used in skin care due to its preservative properties. Preservatives help keep skin care and cosmetic products free of bacteria, fungi and yeast so these products are safe for the face and body.

Introduced as a preservative in the 1980s, it was originally approved for usage in concentrations up to 0.1%. However, after two decades of widespread use, it was revealed methyldibromo glutaronitrile caused skin sensitization, particularly to those with eczema-prone skin. These reactions included: redness or temporary skin darkening (depending on skin tone), itching, a burning sensation, hives and blisters.

After research verified increasing claims of skin sensitization, the European Union banned usage of this preservative in leave-on products (like serums, moisturizers, etc.) in 2005 and rinse-off products (like cleansers) in 2007.

Elsewhere, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel states usage of methyldibromo glutaronitrile in rinse-off products is safe at current usage percentages (about 0.04%) and recommends its usage in leave-on products at 0.025% or less.

Methyldibromo glutaronitrile forms when reacting the liquid-to-vapor chemical element bromine with 2-methyleneglutaronitrile. Some cosmetic ingredient suppliers produce this ingredient as part of a blend with phenoxyethanol.

Overall, there are many safer preservative options for skin care and cosmetic products, including the unjustly maligned parabens.