Chloroacetamide
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: 2-Chloroacetamide, 79-07-2, CHLORACETAMIDE, Microcide, 2-Chloroethanamide, Mergal AF, Chloracetamid, Alpha-Chloroacetamide
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
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]
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
Traditional Use
A synthetic halogenated compound developed in the 20th century as a preservative and antimicrobial agent. Used in cosmetics to prevent microbial contamination and extend product shelf life.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
—
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.3%
0%0%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.3%. Contains chloroacetamide Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 41.
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR