At a glance
| Chemical family | Phthalate ester — lowest-molecular-weight phthalate (dimethyl ester of phthalic acid) |
| CAS number | 131-11-3 |
| Classification | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity, Monographs Vol. 73, 1999). Readily absorbed through skin. Not classified as a reproductive toxicant by the EU. Used as a fragrance fixative rather than a PVC plasticizer |
| Where you encounter it | Fragrance fixative in personal care products (perfumes, hair spray, moisturisers); insect repellent (historical use); plasticizer for cellulose acetate; transfers from skin to bedding |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Transfers from personal care products to pillowcases and sheets during sleep. Readily absorbed through skin. Part of the total phthalate exposure from cosmetics |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | REACH registered. Not classified as a reproductive toxicant under CLP. Not on the SVHC candidate list. EU Cosmetics Regulation does not restrict DMP in cosmetics. Regulatory |
| United States | No FDA restriction on DMP in cosmetics. Not subject to CPSIA phthalate restrictions (which target DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DnOP). EPA TSCA listed. Regulatory |
| Canada | Not restricted in cosmetics or consumer products. Under assessment as part of the phthalate group. Regulatory |
| International | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable, Monographs Vol. 73, 1999). Not classified as a reproductive toxicant. Lower concern than DEHP/DBP/BBP among the phthalate family. Regulatory |
What it is
DMP is the dimethyl ester of phthalic acid — the simplest phthalate ester. Unlike DEHP and DINP (which are PVC plasticizers), DMP is used primarily in personal care products as a fragrance fixative — it slows the evaporation of fragrances, making them last longer. DMP was also historically used as an insect repellent, though DEET has largely replaced it for that application. IARC evaluated DMP in Monographs Vol. 73 (1999) and classified it as Group 3 — inadequate evidence for carcinogenicity in both humans and animals. DMP is not classified as a reproductive toxicant by the EU. Its primary characteristic is high dermal absorption — as the smallest phthalate, it penetrates skin more readily than larger phthalates. Biomonitoring studies detect DMP metabolites (mono-methyl phthalate) in urine, with levels correlating to personal care product use.
Where it shows up in bedding
DMP is not a bedding ingredient. It enters the bedroom through transfer from personal care products applied to skin — perfumes, body sprays, moisturisers, and hair products that contain DMP as a fragrance fixative transfer residues to pillowcases and sheets during sleep. Because DMP has high dermal absorption, a significant fraction of what is applied to skin is absorbed before it can transfer to bedding, but residual amounts do reach fabric surfaces. The primary exposure pathway is dermal absorption from the product itself rather than from bedding residues. Using fragrance-free personal care products eliminates DMP exposure from this source.
Citations
- IARC (1999). Some Chemicals That Cause Tumours of the Kidney or Urinary Bladder in Rodents and Some Other Substances. IARC Monographs Vol. 73. Source Peer-reviewed
- Hauser, R. and Calafat, A.M. (2005). Phthalates and Human Health. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 62(11): 806-818. Source Peer-reviewed
- ECHA. Dimethyl phthalate — Substance Information. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Is DMP in my perfume?
Possibly. DMP is used as a fragrance fixative in some perfumes and personal care products. However, US labelling regulations do not require individual fragrance ingredients to be listed — they are combined under the term 'fragrance' or 'parfum'. In the EU, 26 specific fragrance allergens must be listed, but DMP is not one of them. If you want to avoid DMP, choose products labelled 'phthalate-free' or 'fragrance-free'.
How is DMP different from DEHP?
DMP and DEHP are both phthalate esters, but they differ in molecular weight, use, and toxicity. DEHP is a large-molecule PVC plasticizer classified as a reproductive toxicant (EU Repr. 1B). DMP is the smallest phthalate, used as a fragrance fixative and not classified as a reproductive toxicant. DMP is more readily absorbed through skin than DEHP. They represent different ends of the phthalate spectrum in both chemistry and hazard.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08. If you find a factual error, contact us.