Formaldehyde is used as a cheap preservative. It has been around since 1889 and has been used for many things including preserving dead bodies!

Today (thankfully), its use is in decline, although it can still be found in some shampoos, hair products and nail hardeners

It should also be noted that a number of other preservatives while not actually formaldehyde do still release formaldehyde chemical

Among the better known formaldehyde releasers are:

Quaternium 15
Diazolidinyl urea
DMDM hydantoin
Imidazolindinyl
Bronopol

Check the label of any of your existing products to see if they contain formaldehyde or a formaldehyde releasing ingredient

Why exederm does NOT contain formaldehyde or its releasers

We believe that formaldehyde is an unsuitable ingredient for use in any skin product or shampoo – period. Formaldehdye releasers in our view are also unnecessary given the availability of better less irritant ingredients

Skin hypersensitivity – What the experts say:

“In animal and human testing, fomaldehyde has been found to be a strong allergen“
Fransway AS, American Journal of Contact Dermatitis 1991

“... an irritant, sensitizer and potential carcinogen. In Sweden and Japan,
it is now prohibited in cosmetics”
(De Groot AC “Practical Dermatitis“ 1995).

[Allergic contact dermatitis
caused by formaldehyde]
Dermatologic Therapy 2004)