Every Wednesday we'll bring you "What's In It Wednesday". A blog about what's in typical bath and beauty products, including the good, the bad and the ugly. We want you to know what we use or don't use in our products and why!

Today's ingredient is:  DMDM hydratoin.  I found this in the ingredient list on that same bottle of generic hand soap that's under my kitchen sink.  I'm not sure why they need so many chemicals, but the list keeps going.  DMDM hydratoin is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative. Yes, that's right; it's a preservative that releases formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen.  It's also a strong skin, eye, and lung irritant. It can cause burning, itching, and scaling of skin.  

DMDM hydratoin is often used in shampoo, facial lotion, sunscreen, bodywash, and baby wipes. Yes, baby wipes. It's used by many name brands that advertise that they are gentle.  I'm not sure why when there are natural preservatives that don't contain trace carcinogens.