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Chlorphenesin

What Chlorphenesin is & what it does

A preservative and stabilizer effective against bacteria, often combined with other preservatives for broad protection. It also has mild muscle-relaxant-like smoothing benefits in some uses.

What is Chlorphenesin and what does it do in sunscreen?

Chlorphenesin is a preservative and stabilizer used to keep a formula from spoiling. It works mainly against bacteria, so it is often paired with another preservative for broader coverage against mold and yeast as well. In a sunscreen it sits in the background, protecting the product over its shelf life rather than doing anything you can feel on the skin.

Is Chlorphenesin safe?

Yes. It is a long-established cosmetic preservative used at low levels and reviewed as safe for use in skincare. As with any preservative, a small number of people can be sensitive to it, but for most users it is well tolerated. It does its job at the surface, keeping the product clean during use.

Is Chlorphenesin a preservative?

Yes. Chlorphenesin is a preservative and stabilizer, there to stop bacteria and other microbes growing in the product. It is not a sunscreen filter or an active treatment, just one of the ingredients that keeps the formula safe to use. You will usually find it low on the ingredient list alongside the other preservatives.

Does Chlorphenesin clog pores?

Generally no. Chlorphenesin is a preservative used in tiny amounts, not a heavy oil or wax, so it is not a typical pore-clogging ingredient. If a product is breaking you out, the richer emollients elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the cause.

What else is Chlorphenesin called?

On a label it appears under its INCI name, Chlorphenesin, the same word used in the ingredient list. It does not have a common consumer nickname the way some preservatives do. You will typically see it grouped with the other preservatives toward the end of the list.

Sunscreens with Chlorphenesin

We rate 747 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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