Methenamine is a specialty cosmetic ingredient used as a preservative in suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations. It is identified by the INCI name METHENAMINE, CAS Number 100-97-0, and EC Number 202-905-8. Methenamine is also known as Hexamethylenetetramine and has the chemical name 1,3,5,7-Tetraazatricyclo[3.3.1.1³,⁷]decane. Its molecular formula is C₆H₁₂N₄ and its molecular weight is 140.19 g/mol.
Methenamine is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative and is recognized in cosmetic ingredient databases for preservative and antimicrobial functionality. It can be relevant to formulations where microbial protection is required, although its use level must be evaluated according to the formulation and the regulations of the intended market. In the European Union, Methenamine is listed in Annex V as a preservative with a maximum concentration of 0.15% in finished cosmetic products.
For businesses looking for a Methenamine cosmetic ingredient manufacturer in India, important considerations include product identity, purity, physical characteristics, analytical specification, documentation and suitability for the intended cosmetic application.
Methenamine is a crystalline heterocyclic compound containing four nitrogen atoms in a cage-like molecular structure. It is commonly supplied as a white or almost-white crystalline powder or colourless crystals. Pharmacopoeial information describes Methenamine as freely soluble in water and soluble in ethanol, while commercial technical data report a melting point of approximately 280°C.
The USP-NF specification defines Methenamine, after drying, as containing 99.0% to 100.5% of C₆H₁₂N₄. The monograph also specifies loss on drying of not more than 2.0% and residue on ignition of not more than 0.1%.
These characteristics make Methenamine a well-defined specialty raw material for technical and cosmetic ingredient applications. For commercial procurement, the buyer should verify the actual grade, analytical method and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis rather than assuming that a pharmacopoeial reference automatically represents every supplier's specification.
Methenamine functions primarily as a preservative and antimicrobial cosmetic ingredient. Its preservation activity is associated with its ability to release formaldehyde under suitable conditions, helping limit microbial growth in susceptible formulations. Cosmetic ingredient references specifically identify METHENAMINE with a preservative function, while regulatory records classify it under permitted cosmetic preservatives.
The preservative should be considered as part of the complete formulation. Factors such as formulation pH, water content, packaging, processing conditions and compatibility with other ingredients can affect the overall preservation system.
For manufacturers, it is important to distinguish the raw-material assay from the finished-cosmetic concentration limit. The USP assay of 99.0–100.5% describes the quality of the Methenamine raw material, whereas the EU limit of 0.15% relates to the concentration permitted in the ready-to-use cosmetic product.
Methenamine can be considered for suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations where preservative functionality is appropriate. Cosmetic ingredient databases identify it as a preservative, and products containing METHENAMINE have been documented in cosmetic formulations.
Potential formulation applications can include selected creams, lotions, cleansing preparations and other water-containing personal-care products. The actual application should be determined according to the finished formulation, preservation strategy and destination-market requirements.
For buyers sourcing Methenamine cosmetic ingredient in India, the intended application should be clearly defined before procurement because regulatory requirements can differ between countries. In the EU, the permitted maximum is 0.15% in the finished cosmetic product, together with the applicable requirements for formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.
Methenamine is highly water-compatible, with pharmacopoeial references describing it as freely soluble in water. TCI reports a reference water solubility of approximately 448.6 g/L at 12°C and a melting point of 280°C.
Formulators should consider the ingredient's concentration, pH environment, processing conditions and compatibility with other preservatives and formulation components. Because Methenamine can contribute to formaldehyde release, the formaldehyde profile of the complete finished formulation should also be considered.
The applicable EU requirements state that finished cosmetic products containing Annex V formaldehyde-releasing substances must carry the prescribed “releases formaldehyde” warning where the total concentration of released formaldehyde exceeds 0.001% (10 ppm).
Quality control should use the actual approved product specification and validated analytical method. Since the USP assay for Methenamine is titrimetric rather than an HPLC assay, the Assay (HPLC) CMS field should remain N/A unless SDP actually uses and validates an HPLC method.
Businesses searching for a Methenamine cosmetic ingredient manufacturer in India can evaluate the material based on chemical identity, purity, appearance, moisture, residue, impurity controls, packaging and batch documentation. A Methenamine cosmetic ingredient supplier in India should be able to provide appropriate technical documentation for professional cosmetic manufacturing.
For Methenamine manufacturing in India, consistent quality characteristics are important when the raw material is used in controlled formulation processes. Bulk buyers may also require defined packaging, quantity, Certificate of Analysis, Safety Data Sheet and product-specific quality requirements.
Companies looking for a Methenamine bulk cosmetic ingredient supplier in India should evaluate the actual commercial material against their formulation requirements and destination-market regulations. Technical availability and regulatory permission for a finished cosmetic are separate considerations.
Swapnroop provides a B2B-oriented approach to Methenamine cosmetic ingredient supply, with emphasis on product-specific technical information and requirements relevant to cosmetic and personal-care manufacturers. Methenamine can be evaluated according to its identity, preservative functionality, physical characteristics, analytical specifications and intended formulation application.
For businesses seeking a Methenamine cosmetic ingredient manufacturer and supplier in India, the product can be assessed for bulk ingredient requirements, technical documentation and formulation suitability. The final product specification and regulatory suitability should always be confirmed against the actual commercial material and intended destination market.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |