What it is
In the register’s words: “Chlorphenesin is the organic compound.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CHLORPHENESIN
- CAS number
- 104-29-0
- EC number
- 203-192-6
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Chlorphenesin in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Antimicrobial
-
Slows the growth of microbes, in the product or on the surface it touches. Some preservatives, extracts and essential oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.”
- Preservative
-
Stops bacteria, mold and yeast growing in the bottle. EU law allows only the preservatives on its own list for this role.
Register definition: “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.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (5)
- OLAPLEX Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper Hydrating Curl Shampoo Shampoo 52nd of 62 names
- OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Shampoo Shampoo 69th of 78 names
- OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 46th of 55 names
- OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 59th of 66 names
- Kristin Ess Sea Salt Air Dry Mousse Styler 45th of 47 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other antimicrobial ingredients on these labels
- Phenoxyethanol 120 labels
- Cetrimonium Chloride 39 labels
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract 25 labels
- Benzyl Benzoate 22 labels
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 15 labels
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate 6 labels
- Alcohol Denat. 3 labels
- Cetrimonium Bromide 3 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.