In January 2019 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to determine the presence of formaldehyde in samples of US personal care products. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers can be used as preservatives in personal care products and studies from Europe and Israel have already indicated that personal care products with undeclared formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers on product labels may have detectable levels of formaldehyde. Fifty-four baby and adult products were assessed. Results showed that the 8 products declaring formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers indicated a strong presence of these compounds, Of the remaining 46 products with undeclared formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, 4 were found to contain some formaldehyde.
Nikle A et al. Formaldehyde Release From Personal Care Products: Chromotropic Acid Method Analysis. Dermatitis. 2019 Jan/Feb;30(1):67-73