Chlorophene
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: 2-Benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 120-32-1, Clorophene, Santophen 1, Phenol, 4-Chloro-2-benzylphenol, Neosabenyl, Septiphene, 5-Chloro-2-hydroxydiphenylmethane
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
Phenol, 4-chloro-2-(phenylmethyl)-
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 61 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C13H11ClO
Mol. Weight
218.68
CAS #
120-32-1
Form
Powder
State
Ortho-benzyl-para-chlorophenol appears as white to light tan or pink flakes or white crystals. Insoluble in water. Slight phenolic odor. (NTP, 1992)
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.
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
Traditional Use
A synthetic antimicrobial agent developed in the mid-20th century. Introduced to cosmetics and personal care products as a preservative and antibacterial ingredient.
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-5
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Potential Sensitizer
Concentration Guide
0.2%
0%0%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.2%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 40.
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR