Ingredient

POLYAMINOPROPYL BIGUANIDE

Name / description

Polyaminopropyl Biguanide; Polyhexanide, Polyhexamethylenebiguanide (PHMB)

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

PRESERVATIVE

Protects cosmetic products from microbial spoilage

Origin

synthetic

Occurrence in cosmetics

As a preservative in various cosmetic products – except for sprayable (inhalable) formulations

Background information on use in cosmetics

Polyaminopropyl biguanide is used up to a maximum concentration of 0.1 % as a preservative in cosmetic products.

Why are we talking about it?

Polyaminopropyl biguanide (PHMB) is accused of being carcinogenic. The facts: Due to studies with equivocal results, PHMB has been classified as CMR 2 at European level (it is possible that it is carcinogenic to humans, but this has not been proven). The low concentrations authorised in cosmetic products allow for a strong margin of safety, especially as PHMB penetrates the skin only very slightly. The European authorities have therefore deemed its use in cosmetic products to be safe, even taking into account other sources of exposure. Key points to take away: As with all preservatives, the use of PHMB in cosmetic products is highly regulated. Its use in cosmetic products, at very low doses, has been deemed safe by European experts.

Further information

For the clarification of a suspicion of a contact allergy this substance can be routinely tested in the epicutaneous test at the dermatologist.

Belongs to the following substance groups

Preservatives

Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

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