Formaldehyde in Keratin and Smoothing Treatments: Where the FDA Ban Stands and What to Ask Your Stylist

Quick answer (as of September 17, 2026)

  • There is no federal U.S. ban yet. The FDA first put a proposed ban on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in hair smoothing/straightening products on its regulatory agenda in 2023, but it has never published the proposal in the Federal Register. Target dates have slipped at least six times.
  • Some states already restrict it. California and Maryland ban intentionally added formaldehyde and methylene glycol in cosmetics since January 1, 2025; Washington does too, and adds a broader list of formaldehyde releasers from January 1, 2027.
  • "Formaldehyde-free" labels have been wrong before. Federal testing found about 11% formaldehyde in a product marketed that way.
  • Heat is the problem. Methylene glycol (formaldehyde in water) releases formaldehyde gas when a flat iron is used.
  • Ask before you book: the exact product, its Safety Data Sheet, how the salon ventilates, and what the "formaldehyde-free" claim is based on.

This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. If you have symptoms after a treatment, contact a doctor.

What formaldehyde has to do with smoothing treatments

Many "keratin," "Brazilian," or "smoothing" treatments work by coating the hair and then sealing it with a flat iron at high heat. Some formulas rely on formaldehyde or chemicals that release it to lock hair into a straighter shape.

The FDA explains that formaldehyde can appear on labels under other names, including formalin and methylene glycol, and that products containing them release formaldehyde gas when heated (FDA, updated Oct. 15, 2024). OSHA describes methylene glycol as "the liquid form of formaldehyde, which releases formaldehyde when hair treated with the product is heated" (OSHA).

Other chemicals called formaldehyde releasers break down over time to give off small amounts of formaldehyde. Washington's regulator lists examples such as DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, bronopol and bronidox (Washington Department of Ecology).

Why it matters for clients and stylists

According to the FDA, formaldehyde exposure can cause watery eyes, burning in the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, headaches, dizziness, nausea and rash, and repeated contact can cause skin sensitization. It is also classified as a human carcinogen at high or prolonged exposure (FDA).

Stylists who perform these services repeatedly face more exposure than a client who gets one or two treatments a year. That is why OSHA, not the FDA, sets the workplace air limits (the federal formaldehyde standard, 29 CFR 1910.1048).

Where the FDA ban stands (September 2026)

Here is the short version of a long delay:

When What happened
Spring 2023 FDA lists a proposed rule (RIN 0910-AI83) to ban formaldehyde and related chemicals in hair smoothing/straightening products on the federal regulatory agenda, initially targeting April 2024.
2023–2025 Target dates pass: reported deadlines include October 2023, April 2024, November 2024, March 2025, July 2025 and December 2025 (Powers Health / HealthDay, Jan. 8, 2026).
April 9, 2025 Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Shontel Brown and Ayanna Pressley write to the FDA Commissioner asking why the rule has stalled (letter).
January 2026 After the December 2025 target passes, FDA says the proposal "continues to remain a priority" and it "may adjust the anticipated publication date" (Powers Health / HealthDay).
Mid-2026 A compliance-industry summary of the latest federal agenda reports a new target of November 2026 for the proposal (Certified Cosmetics, July 31, 2026). We could not confirm this date directly on Reginfo.gov.
August 25, 2026 A law-firm tracker reports that a Federal Register search still returned no FDA rule on hair smoothing products (Marin Murphy Law).

What this means in practice: A proposed rule would still need a public comment period and a final rule before anything becomes enforceable, and final rules usually include a compliance date. So even if a proposal appears in late 2026, a nationwide ban would not take effect immediately. Agenda target dates are not legal deadlines, and the FDA has missed every one so far.

State laws that already apply

While the federal rule waits, several states have acted through "toxic-free cosmetics" laws:

  • California (AB 2762): Since January 1, 2025, cosmetics sold in the state may not contain intentionally added formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, methylene glycol or quaternium-15, among other substances (California DTSC; Keller and Heckman). A follow-up law, AB 496, adds more chemicals from January 1, 2027.
  • Maryland: Its law bans the same four formaldehyde-related ingredients, effective January 1, 2025, with an exception for technically unavoidable trace amounts (Md. Health-Gen. § 21-259.2 via Justia).
  • Washington (Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act): Formaldehyde and methylene glycol have been restricted since January 1, 2025. A 2025 rule restricts a list of 25 additional formaldehyde releasers starting January 1, 2027, with a retail sell-through period to December 31, 2027 (Washington Department of Ecology, Aug. 28, 2025).

Other states have considered or passed similar bills; check your state's current law before relying on this list.

"Formaldehyde-free" does not always mean free of formaldehyde

OSHA's salon guidance documents that federal NIOSH testing found about 11% formaldehyde in a smoothing solution marketed as formaldehyde-free, and Oregon testing found about 8.5% in another sample (OSHA). Those findings are more than a decade old, but they are why regulators tell stylists to check Safety Data Sheets and ingredient lists rather than front-label claims.

The newer concern: glyoxylic acid

Many "formaldehyde-free" smoothing products switched to glyoxylic acid and related ingredients. In January 2025, France's health agency ANSES confirmed an alert that glyoxylic acid in hair-straightening products was "very likely responsible" for cases of acute kidney failure, and urged EU restriction or a ban (ANSES, Jan. 23, 2025). The European Commission has asked its scientific committee (SCCS) to assess whether glyoxylic acid is safe at up to 16% in straighteners, with a data call running to May 2027 (COSlaw.eu, May 4, 2026). No EU decision has been made yet.

The lesson: "formaldehyde-free" is not the same as "risk-free." Ask what replaced it.

What to ask your stylist before a smoothing treatment

Use this checklist at your consultation:

  1. What is the exact product and brand? Look it up yourself.
  2. Can I see the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? Professional products should have one. Look for formaldehyde, formalin, methylene glycol or releasers in the hazard section.
  3. What is the "formaldehyde-free" claim based on? Does it replace formaldehyde with glyoxylic acid or another active?
  4. How is the room ventilated? Local exhaust near the chair is better than an open door.
  5. How hot is the flat iron, and how many passes? Heat drives release.
  6. Is the product compliant in this state? Especially relevant in California, Maryland and Washington.
  7. Has anyone had a reaction to it here? And what is the salon's plan if you feel unwell during the service?

For stylists and salon owners

  • Keep SDSs for every smoothing product on file and available to staff.
  • OSHA's guidance tells salons using formaldehyde-releasing products to follow the federal formaldehyde standard, which can include air monitoring, ventilation controls, gloves and, where needed, respirators (OSHA).
  • Check state compliance lists for your stock, especially ahead of Washington's January 1, 2027 releaser deadline. Do not pour non-compliant products down the drain; Washington tells cosmetologists to dispose of them properly (Washington Ecology).
  • Report serious reactions: the product's maker must report serious adverse events to the FDA under the 2022 MoCRA law, and you or your client can report directly through FDA MedWatch.

Signs to stop and get help

Stop the service and move to fresh air if a client or stylist has burning eyes, trouble breathing, wheezing, or dizziness. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty. After a "formaldehyde-free" treatment, ANSES advises seeking medical attention for symptoms such as lower back or abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting (ANSES).

What we don't know yet

  • Whether and when the FDA will publish the proposal. Mid-2026 reporting points to November 2026, but the FDA has missed every earlier target.
  • What a final rule would cover, such as exact chemical lists, trace limits, or salon-use provisions.
  • How widespread glyoxylic-acid kidney injury is. Documented cases are few, and the EU review is ongoing.
  • Real-world salon air levels today. Much of the U.S. testing data dates from 2010–2011.

FAQ

Is formaldehyde banned in hair products in the U.S.? Not federally, as of September 2026. The FDA's proposed ban has not been published. California, Maryland and Washington restrict intentionally added formaldehyde and methylene glycol in cosmetics.

Is methylene glycol the same as formaldehyde? For practical purposes, yes. The FDA lists methylene glycol as another name for formaldehyde in hair smoothing products, and it releases formaldehyde gas when heated.

Are "formaldehyde-free" keratin treatments safe? Not automatically. Some past products labeled that way contained formaldehyde, and a common substitute, glyoxylic acid, is under EU review after kidney injury reports.

Can I get a keratin treatment while pregnant? Ask your doctor or midwife before booking. We did not find FDA guidance specific to pregnancy for these treatments, so a personal medical conversation is the right step.

Who regulates salon air quality? OSHA sets workplace exposure limits for formaldehyde. The FDA regulates the cosmetic products themselves.

Sources