HEXACHLOROPHENE is graded F (Banned) by Expert·ING, based on FDA regulatory data. It is restricted under EU COSING — AnnexII.
HEXACHLOROPHENE
Safety grade: F
Hexachlorophene is a synthetic antimicrobial agent that was commonly used in personal care products to kill bacteria and prevent infections. It has largely been phased out due to safety concerns.
This ingredient is used to prevent bacterial growth and reduce microbes on the skin, helping to keep products and skin protected from contamination.
Graded using: FDA.
- EU COSING — Prohibited
- Health Canada — Prohibited
Last verified: June 7, 2026
Safer alternatives to HEXACHLOROPHENE
- CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE — Grade B. Antimicrobial preservative with similar broad-spectrum bacterial control properties.
- CHLORHEXIDINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE — Grade B**. Antimicrobial preservative with similar broad-spectrum bacterial control properties.
- BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE — Grade C. Antimicrobial preservative surfactant that prevents bacterial growth in formulations.
Other Pharmaceutical Drug ingredients
- PHYTONADIONE — Grade F
- 6-AMINOCAPROIC ACID — Grade F
- RETINOIC ACID — Grade F
- DEANOL ACEGLUMATE (INN) — Grade F
- SPIRONOLACTONE — Grade F
- [4-(4-HYDROXY-3-IODOPHENOXY)-3,5-DIIODOPHENYL]ACETIC ACID (TIRATRICOL (INN)) AND ITS SALTS — Grade F
Other Antimicrobial ingredients
- ALCOHOL — Grade A**
- C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE — Grade A
- BENZYL BENZOATE — Grade C
- CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE — Grade A
- CHLORPHENESIN — Grade B
- CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT — Grade A
- HYDROGEN PEROXIDE — Grade C**
- CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE — Grade A