murphyChlorophene
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
OriginChlorophene is derived from chlorinated phenolic compounds, a synthetic antimicrobial chemical family. It is synthesized through chlorination of phenol or related phenolic precursors under controlled conditions.
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)
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.
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-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
5
CIR
Insufficient data
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Eye Irritant in Testing
4 studies / 4 irritating / reactions moderate to corrosive (CIR 284)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
7 studies / 4 irritating / 1 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions slight to corrosive (CIR 284)
Mixed Sensitization Results
3 studies / 1 sensitizing / 1 mixed / 1 not sensitizing / reactions mild / plus 2 case reports (CIR 284)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.2%
EU regulatory limit: 0.2%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 40.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR