Get a Free 5ml Mini Now Free 5ml Mini With Every Order of The Mantle
Moumoujus

HYDROXYDICHLORODIPHENYL ETHER.

Avoid CAS 3380-30-1 / ANTIMICROBIAL

HYDROXYDICHLORODIPHENYL ETHER, commonly known as Triclosan, is an antimicrobial agent primarily functioning as a preservative and deodorant. It targets bacterial cellular processes, offering a lasting antibacterial effect against pathogenic and malodor-producing microorganisms.

Summary

Deodorant Preservative Antibacterial

Science

Mechanism of Action

This ingredient operates by selectively binding to the bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) enzyme, encoded by the fabI gene. This binding increases the enzyme's affinity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), resulting in a stable ternary complex that inhibits fatty acid synthesis. As fatty acids are essential for bacterial cell membranes, their inhibition leads to bacterial demise. Vertebrates lack this specific enzyme, rendering them unaffected by this mechanism.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Medium confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Key findings

  1. 01 A 0.3% concentration of this ingredient did not induce skin irritation when applied as a single patch application in 10 human subjects.
  2. 02 Studies indicated no skin irritation with concentrations below 5%, though 1-6% solutions exhibited severe or potent skin irritancy in a 14-day repeated-dose study on rats and mice.
  3. 03 No toxicity was observed in a 90-day bathing test involving neonatal Rhesus monkeys exposed to a soap solution containing 0.1% of the ingredient.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Commonly dusted
Min. effective
The FDA's 2016 ban on this ingredient in consumer antiseptic wash products, due to insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy compared to plain soap and water, signifies a critical threshold where its widespread use became unsupported.%
Red flag below
Concentrations ranging from 1% to 6% have been identified as severe or potent skin irritants in repeated-dose animal studies. Furthermore, any concentration exceeding the stringent, product-specific maximums set by the SCCS (which vary between 0.03% and 0.3%) represents a significant red flag for safety and regulatory compliance.%

HYDROXYDICHLORODIPHENYL ETHER is widely recognized as a commonly dusted ingredient, highlighted by its 'worst' rating from INCIDecoder. Despite earlier assessments, it faces considerable regulatory scrutiny, including an FDA ban for certain consumer products. This is primarily driven by concerns regarding its safety, efficacy compared to simpler alternatives, potential environmental impact (e.g., dioxin formation), and high irritancy risk, especially at elevated concentrations or with repeated exposure.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Oil
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

This ingredient demonstrates chemical stability across a wide pH range and under recommended storage conditions. It possesses a pKa of 8.1; the neutral phenolic form predominates below pH 7.9, while the phenolate form is prevalent above pH 8.1. However, it is susceptible to environmental degradation via photodegradation, specifically forming dioxins when concurrently exposed to UV light and chlorine, such as that found in tap water.

Conflicts

  • Heavy metals (may cause discoloration)
  • Chlorine (in tap water, promotes dioxin degradation with UV light)
  • UV light (promotes dioxin degradation with chlorine)

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
0.3%
Sensitization risk High

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded in 2010 that Triclosan was safe as a cosmetic ingredient up to 0.3%. However, the FDA subsequently banned it from consumer antiseptic wash products in 2016 due to insufficient evidence of its safety and efficacy compared to plain soap and water. The SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) provides highly specific maximum concentrations for cosmetic use: 0.03% in shower gel, hand soap, and body lotion; 0.2% in mouthwash (for adults only, not for children/adolescents, and not in combination with other substances); and 0.3% in toothpaste (for adults and children 0.5-18 years, not in combinations for children below 3), deodorant stick, face powder, and blemish concealer. It is not considered safe at 0.3% in body lotion.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

No Normal
No Dry
No Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy High
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Avoid

Given its 'worst' rating from INCIDecoder, documented high irritancy risk, extensive regulatory restrictions including FDA bans, and environmental concerns regarding dioxin formation, HYDROXYDICHLORODIPHENYL ETHER is generally not recommended for precision skincare formulations.

Related

Similar Ingredients

Finding similar ingredients…