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Answer: Chlorhexidine is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: mouthwash, cleansers.
TL;DR: Chlorhexidine is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (preservatives).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Chlorhexidine Digluconate. CAS 18472-51-0.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | mouthwash, cleansers |
| CAS number | 18472-51-0 |
Chlorhexidine (Chlorhexidine Digluconate) is an antimicrobial preservative.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Concentration-restricted in the EU over sensitization.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Chlorhexidinewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Chlorhexidine is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Chlorhexidine can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Chlorhexidine automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Chlorhexidine.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Chlorhexidine or other ingredients banned overseas.
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