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InventoryRef 3265710/08/2020

CHLORHEXIDINE

2,4,11,13-Tetraazatetradecanediimidamide, N,N''-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-; Biguanide, 1,1'-hexamethylenebis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)-

CHLORHEXIDINE is linked to 1 EU annex record on this page. Inventory note: V/42.

Regulatory evidence by market

This matrix separates verified ingredient rules from sources that are mapped but not yet imported. No imported rule does not mean the ingredient is permitted.

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MarketEvidence statusRecordsSource language
European UnionEvidence linked
Positive-list entry with conditions
Open this evidence
1English and EU languages
Great BritainEvidence linked
Permitted list with conditions
Open this evidence
1English
CanadaEvidence linked
Restricted
Open this evidence
1English and French
New ZealandEvidence linked
Permitted list with conditions
Open this evidence
1English
ASEANEvidence linked
Permitted list with conditions
Open this evidence
1English and national languages
ChinaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Chinese with selected English material
JapanEvidence linked
Restricted
Open this evidence
1Japanese; official English translation available
South KoreaEvidence linked
Restricted
Open this evidence
1Korean with some English names
United StatesSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English
AustraliaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English
BrazilSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Portuguese with INCI crosswalks
IndiaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English and Hindi
Saudi ArabiaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Arabic and English

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 55-56-1
CAS 55-56-1PubChem CID 9552079

Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is a bisbiguanide compound with a structure consisting of two (p-chlorophenyl)guanide units linked by a hexamethylene bridge. It has a role as an antibacterial agent and an antiinfective agent. It is a member of biguanides and a member of monochlorobenzenes. It is functionally related to a biguanide. ChEBI

IUPAC name
(1E)-2-[6-[[amino-[(E)-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]amino]methylidene]amino]hexyl]-1-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]guanidine
Molecular formula
C22H30Cl2N10
Molecular weight
505.4 g/mol
Exact mass
504.2031964 Da
XLogP3
0.1
Topological polar surface area
178.0 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
6
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

HexadolSoretolFimeilSterilonTubulicidChlorhexidinumChlorhexidinClorhexidina
16 more reported names
CloresidinaNolvasanMerfen-incoloreChlorhexadineDentisept1,6-Bis(p-chlorophenyldiguanido)hexane1,6-Di(4'-chlorophenyldiguanido)hexane1,6-Bis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguandino)hexane1,1'-Hexamethylene bis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguanide)R4KO0DY52LCHEBI:36141,6-Di(N-p-chlorophenyldiguanido)hexane2,4,11,13-Tetraazatetradecanediimidamide, N,N''-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-N,N'-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediimidamideN-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-3-(6-{N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamimidamidomethanimidoyl]amino}hexyl)carbamimidamidomethanimidamideclorexidina
External database identifiers

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for CHLORHEXIDINE

INCI name

CHLORHEXIDINE

INN name

chlorhexidine

Description

2,4,11,13-Tetraazatetradecanediimidamide, N,N''-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-; Biguanide, 1,1'-hexamethylenebis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)-

Record provenance

Inventory reference
32657
Imported identity
CHLORHEXIDINE
Source update
10/08/2020
European Commission CosIng source notes

Key data

Restriction
V/42
Function
ANTIMICROBIAL
Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
ORAL CARE
Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.
PRESERVATIVE
Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

The 7 markets that hold a rule for this substance do not classify it the same way.

restricted
CanadaJapanSouth Korea
permitted on a positive list
European UnionGreat BritainNew ZealandASEAN

See every substance the markets disagree about

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

How CHLORHEXIDINE appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists CHLORHEXIDINE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 1 annex record. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex record shows where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

CHLORHEXIDINE is also tagged with 3 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

CHLORHEXIDINE appears in the EU CosIng inventory and has linked annex records. Check the annex records above for applicable restrictions, concentration limits and conditions of use. Annex II listing means prohibited; Annex III means restricted; Annexes IV, V and VI mean permitted under specified conditions.

The restriction field for CHLORHEXIDINE reads: "V/42". This is the restriction note recorded in the CosIng inventory for this ingredient. For authoritative conditions and limits, always refer to the linked annex entries above.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, CHLORHEXIDINE carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 55-56-1 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.

Use the INCI Checker to screen a full ingredient list across selected markets, or compare this substance across all supported market datasets.

Source note for CHLORHEXIDINE

This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for CHLORHEXIDINE with 1 linked Annex II–VI record from the local dataset built from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials.

Use this inventory page to research CHLORHEXIDINE and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

Tools & next steps

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