Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
4 study endpoints found for Chlorhexidine. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOEL | 360 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | code:3484 | dermal | REACH |
| LOAEL | 8.88 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
| LOAEL | 50 other | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
| NOAEL | 0.5 other | other | dog | oral | REACH |
Expert Verdict
Avoid for routine intimate deodorizing. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity eliminates protective Lactobacillus populations, disrupting vaginal microbiome community state types and increasing susceptibility to BV, Candida, and UTIs. Contact sensitization risk is documented, including anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals, and is amplified by intimate skin characteristics. Appropriate only for clinical/surgical antisepsis, not for intimate hygiene products.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chlorhexidine safe in cosmetics?
Avoid for routine intimate deodorizing. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity eliminates protective Lactobacillus populations, disrupting vaginal microbiome community state types and increasing susceptibility to BV, Candida, and UTIs. Contact sensitization risk is documented, including anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals, and is amplified by intimate skin characteristics. Appropriate only for clinical/surgical antisepsis, not for intimate hygiene products. The EU classifies Chlorhexidine as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE. 4 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Chlorhexidine allowed in the EU?
Chlorhexidine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Chlorhexidine do in cosmetics?
Chlorhexidine functions as: Preservative. It is classified as a Preservative in our database. CAS number: 55-56-1.
What is the Margin of Safety for Chlorhexidine?
adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
What is the NOAEL for Chlorhexidine?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Chlorhexidine is 360 mg/kg bw/day based on a dermal study via dermal route in code:3484. A total of 4 study endpoints are available. Source: REACH.
Compliance Tools
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Related Ingredients
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