Science
Mechanism of Action
Triclocarban primarily inhibits bacterial growth, particularly gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, by destabilizing bacterial cell walls. It achieves this through unspecific adsorption to cell membranes, disrupting interstitial protein function, and causing a loss of membrane semi-permeability, leading to the discharge of vital ions and organic molecules. It may also interfere with fatty acid synthesis and cell membrane formation in microbes, and is noted as a potent inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH).
Research
Clinical Evidence
Low confidenceN/A
Key findings
- 01 In laboratory settings, triclocarban demonstrates antibacterial activity at very low concentrations, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) reported from 0.5 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600 to 16 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC 29213 and 6538P. It also showed effectiveness against various strains of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus bacteria at 0.5-8 mg/L.
- 02 However, a study evaluating antibacterial soap containing 0.3% Triclocarban found no significant difference in bacterial reduction compared to plain soap, except for Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 when tested at 40°C.
Transparency
Dusting Analysis
Triclocarban has been commonly incorporated into a wide array of consumer and building products. The U.S. FDA banned its use in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products in 2016 due to insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. The EU's SCCS has set limits for its use as a preservative in cosmetics, allowing up to 0.2% in dermally applied leave-on products and up to 1.5% in rinse-off products, but deeming it unsafe for certain oral hygiene products at 0.2%.
The Formula
Formulation
Stability
The ingredient is stable under recommended storage conditions. However, formulators should be aware of incompatibilities with strong oxidizing reagents and strong bases, as these could lead to safety concerns including explosion, toxicity, gas generation, and heat.
Conflicts
- strong oxidizing reagents
- strong bases
Safety
Safety Profile
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned triclocarban from over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products in September 2016 (effective September 2017) due to a lack of sufficient evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness compared to washing with plain soap and water. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union, as of December 2, 2022, considered its use as a preservative in dermally applied cosmetic products safe up to 0.2% for children (0.5-18 years) and adults. For rinse-off products, it is considered safe up to 1.5% for the same age groups. However, its use at 0.2% in mouthwash is deemed unsafe for adults and children, and its use in toothpaste is considered unsafe for children under six years old. Triclocarban is also classified as an endocrine disruptor, with potential to enhance the action of testosterone and other steroids.
Your Skin
Skin Compatibility
Our Assessment
Verdict
Given the U.S. FDA ban for consumer antiseptic washes due to insufficient efficacy and safety concerns, including its classification as an endocrine disruptor, Triclocarban is not aligned with Moumoujus's commitment to precision skincare and should be avoided.
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References
Sources