Ingredient Dictionary

DIMETHYL UREA

N,N'-dimethylurea is a member of the class of ureas that is urea substituted by methyl groups at positions 1 and 3.

Definition

N,N'-dimethylurea is a member of the class of ureas that is urea substituted by methyl groups at positions 1 and 3.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII WAM6DR9I4X · registered name 1,3-Dimethylurea · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Cares for nailsNAIL CONDITIONING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ジメチル尿素: 本品は、次の化学式で表される化合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

DIMETHYL UREAINCI다이메틸우레아Korean label name (MFDS standard)Urea, N,N'-dimethyl-Synonymジメチル尿素Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 96-31-1
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-498-7
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5025156
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID605156

IUPAC: N,N'-Dimethylurea
Molecular formula: C3H8N2O
Molecular weight: 88.11 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: N,n'-dimethylurea appears as colorless crystals. (NTP, 1992) · Dry Powder
Boiling point: 514 to 518 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 268-270 °C
Melting point: 226 °F (NTP, 1992) · 108 °C
Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992) · VERY SOL IN WATER & ALCOHOL
Density: 1.142 (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.142
Melting/freezing point: 102~107 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 269 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.042 ㎜Hg (at 20 °C)
Water solubility: 0.765 g/㎖ (at 21.5 °C)
Relative density: 1.142
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.783 (at 25 °C)
Molecular weight: 88.13

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 2 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Softener and conditioner1
Intermediate1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

3 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low2

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 4 studies

Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) according to EU Method B.42 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) according to EPA OPPTS 870.2600 (Skin Sensitisation)
Not classified
Eye Irritation · Screening