Characteristics
- INCI
- Chlorphenesin
- CAS
-
104-29-0
This is the substance number in the Chemical Abstracts Service registry. The CAS number uniquely identifies a substance regardless of language, trade name, or synonyms.
- EC
-
203-192-6
This is the substance number in the European chemical identification system (EC number), used in European regulatory databases including ECHA/CosIng.
- Functions
- antimicrobial, preservative
Who it's for
Description
Chlorphenesin is a small helper ingredient used mainly as a preservative in skincare and haircare. Its job is to keep formulas fresh by helping stop the growth of bacteria and some yeasts and fungi. You’ll often see it paired with other preservatives, especially phenoxyethanol, because preservative systems usually work best as a team.
For your skin or hair, chlorphenesin doesn’t act like an active treatment ingredient; it’s there to protect the product itself so it stays stable and safe to use over time. That makes it useful in a wide range of products, from lotions and serums to shampoos and conditioners. People who like lightweight formulas often encounter it because it can be used at low levels and doesn’t usually change the feel of a product much.
Caveat: as with many preservatives, very sensitive skin may occasionally find it irritating, especially in leave-on products. If you know your skin reacts easily, it’s worth checking the full ingredient list and patch testing new products when possible.
Products with Chlorphenesin (10 300 total)
Most often found in Neutrogena products (181 items)
