murphyChloroacetamide
AKA: 2-Chloroacetamide, 79-07-2, CHLORACETAMIDE, Microcide, 2-Chloroethanamide, Mergal AF, Chloracetamid, Alpha-Chloroacetamide
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginChloroacetamide is synthesized from acetic acid and chlorine through chemical reactions in industrial processes. It is produced by the chlorination and amidation of acetic acid derivatives under controlled laboratory conditions.
2-chloroacetamide is a monocarboxylic acid amide that is acetamide substituted by a chloro group at position 2. It has a role as an antimicrobial cosmetic preservative, a fungicide, a herbicide and an antimicrobial agent. It is a primary carboxamide, a monocarboxylic acid amide, an organochlorine compound and a N-acylammonia.
Solubility In water, 90,000 mg/L at 25 °C
Formula
C2H4ClNO
Mol. Weight
93.51
CAS #
79-07-2
Form
Liquid
State
Colorless to pale yellow crystals; [HSDB]
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preserves Formula
Fights Bacteria
Reduces Inflammation
Prevents microbial growth
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
—
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 120)
Not a Skin Irritant
2 studies / 2 not irritating / plus 1 case report (CIR 120)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 irritating / 2 not irritating (CIR 120)
Mixed Sensitization Results
7 studies / 4 sensitizing / 3 not sensitizing / plus 8 case reports (CIR 120)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.3%
EU regulatory limit: 0.3%. Contains chloroacetamide Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 41.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR