Ingredient glossary
Chlorphenesin
On your shelf ✓What Chlorphenesin does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Chlorphenesin
In short: Chlorphenesin delivers preservation, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong.
- What it does
- Preservation
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
Quiet, essential, and nothing to fear.
Chlorphenesin keeps a product safe to use from the first pump to the last, at tiny amounts. Not something you pay a premium for.
— Maya
What it does
- preservation
strong evidenceThe CIR panel concluded chlorphenesin is safe as used at up to 0.3 percent in leave-on products and EU Annex V sets the same maximum; tested levels showed minimal irritation.
On a label: usually effective at 0.1-0.3%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
Approach with care
- rare allergy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Chlorphenesin, answered
Is Chlorphenesin safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Chlorphenesin is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Chlorphenesin?
Approach Chlorphenesin with care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
What concentration of Chlorphenesin actually works?
Chlorphenesin tends to do its job in the 0.1 to 0.3% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Sources & how we reviewed this
- PMID 24861369abstract only, the full text is paywalled
- EU Regulation 1223/2009-AnnexV-chlorphenesinsummary page only, the document itself was not read