murphyChlorhexidine Digluconate
AKA: Hibiclens, Chlorhexidine gluconate, 18472-51-0, Dyna-hex, Bioscrub, Hibistat, Microderm, Periochip, Periogard
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginSynthesized from hexamethylene bis(5-methylisoxazolium) chloride and gluconic acid chemical precursors. Produced through multi-step organic synthesis involving condensation reactions and salt formation processes.
D-Gluconic acid, compound with N,N''-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine (2:1)
Formula
C34H54Cl2N10O14
Mol. Weight
897.80
CAS #
18472-51-0
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Oral Care
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Reviewed by CIR
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Skin Irritant
2 studies / 2 not irritating (CIR 92)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
4 studies / 3 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal (CIR 92)
Mixed Sensitization Results
3 studies / 1 mixed / 2 not sensitizing / plus 6 case reports (CIR 92 and 369)
Phototoxic in Testing
Human test with a phototoxic or photosensitizing result in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 92)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.3%
EU regulatory limit: 0.3%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 42.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR