In terms of products, as formaldehyde isn't listed as an ingredient, one solution is to contact the manufacturers direct. I've started compiling information on products that seem to be formaldehyde free. It means quite a bit of detective work, but it's worth it! Do you use any formaldehyde-free products which you can add to the lists below?
In many cases formaldehyde is used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi in the products. I did not test positive for the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives but I'm planning to avoid then anyway to be on the safe side. Look out for the following names on ingredients lists:
- Quaternium-15
- 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol
- imidazolidinyl urea
- diazolidinyl urea
Paper products - kitchen roll, loo roll, tissues.
Formaldehyde is added to household paper products, such as facial tissues, table napkins, kitchen roll and loo roll. It's added to improve to improve its tensile strength, water resistance, grease resistance and shrink resistance. I used to use a lot of tissues, including to dab my eyes, which is something I think brought on my eye eczema. I now use cotton handkerchieves and cotton table napkins, but I still need loo roll! I've found a number of paper products which the manufactures assure me are formaldehyde-free.
- Kitchen roll - Ecoleaf jumbo recycled kitchen roll (stockists include Ethical Superstore).
- Loo roll - Ecoleaf toilet tissue (stockists include Ethical Superstore).
- Sanitary ware - The Natracare range (Essentials London).
- Paper - as far as I can tell you can't buy writing paper that's formaldhyde-free. It's been a great excuse to buy a ipad - so I can read my newspaper from it, write notes, read books on it etc. But I love paper - I used to love making hand-made greeting cards - and I want to sit and read books to my daughter, do painting and such like. If you know of any formaldehyde-free paper or any that have low content do share the details.
Cosmetics and toiletries
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers can be found in many cosmetics and toiletries including fingernail polishers and hardeners, antiperspirants, makeup, bubble bath, bath oils, shampoos, creams, mouthwashes and deodorants.
Cosmetics. For me this has meant finding one or two brands that I find safe and then sticking to them. No trying exotic-looking bubble baths when staying in hotels! I've always used Clinique products as I've never had a reaction to their products (apart from some of their sun and self-tan range). I've contacted Clinique to ask for confirmation of whether any of their products contain formaldehyde, to be 100% sure, but am still waiting to hear back. This link to an advice sheet from a UK hospital lists a number of random, individual products, which they believe to be formaldedhye-free.
Shampoo. I used to find that some shampoos would exacerbate my hand eczema making it unbelievably itchy and sore, including on my palms. I've started used Liz Earle Botanical Shine shampoo and conditioner which doesn't leave my hair as bouncy as some products I used to use but which works well enough for me to recommend it (UK site, USA site). It's not cheap but when I find a product that doesn't make my skin flare up I tend to stick with it.
Nail Varnish. It's all about 3 Free and 5 Free. 3 free nail varnishes are free from Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, and Formaldehyde. 5 free are free from Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, and Camphor. Goddess Huntress is a great website which lists brands you can safely buy.
Clothes
Yep, formaldehyde is even put in clothes! Some fabrics are treated with formaldehyde resins and in which some free formaldehyde remains. Formaldehyde resins provide the unique qualities of the following fabrics:
- Permanent press
- Anti-cling, anti-static, anti-wrinkle and anti-shrink finishes
- Chlorine-resistant finishes
- Stiffening on lightweight nylon knits
- Waterproof finishes
- Perspiration proof finishes
- Moth proof and mildew resistant finishes
- Suede and chamois
We're advised to wear clothing made of 100% cotton, silk, polyester, nylon or acrylic; these fabrics generally contain less formaldehyde and are usually well tolerated by sensitive individuals. Avoid all clothing made with fabrics that have been treated with formaldehyde (see above). And no dry cleaning your clothes! We're advised to machine wash all new clothing and bedding in hot, soapy water several times before use. Yet it can take a longer: I bought a dressing gown from Marks & Spencer recently, which left me with eczema around my neck and wrists, even after I'd washed it half a dozen times; frustrating as while the formaldehyde levels are reducing so is it's fluffiness! In this vein, here's an interesting article with case studies on women with formaldehyde allergy and how they deal with new clothes; one women even gets second hand clothes from friends to ensure the formaldehyde levels are low.
Disclaimer: all products listed on this page are believed to be formaldehyde-free at time of posting. Product ingredients can change, always check.
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