Database/Antimicrobial/Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride natural?

Mostly not. The hexamethylene diamine chain, cyanamide-derived biguanide groups and 4-chloroaniline rings are petrochemical, while the two hydrochloride counter-ions are mineral-derived chloride.

INCI nameChlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
CAS3697-42-5
FormulaC22H32Cl4N10 · 578.4 Da
FunctionAntimicrobial · Oral Care
FeedstockChlorhexidine base is made synthetically from hexamethylenediamine, sodium…

How we scored it

C22H32Cl4N10 578.4 Da: 2 HCl counter-ions (mineral chloride) 72.9 Da natural; chlorhexidine base 505.5 Da petrochemical. 72.9 / 578.4 = 0.13.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Chlorhexidine base is made synthetically from hexamethylenediamine, sodium dicyanamide and 4-chloroaniline, then converted to the dihydrochloride with hydrochloric acid. No natural-origin route exists.

In plain English

A synthetic antibacterial compound used as a preservative and in oral-care products. It is supplied as its dihydrochloride salt, which dissolves in water. It is made in a chemical plant from petroleum-derived building blocks, with hydrochloric acid forming the salt.

CosIng definition: Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride is a salt of Chlorhexidine and hydrochloric acid. It conforms generally to the formula:

Natural alternatives with the same function

Agastache Rugosa Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of the whole Korean mint plant (Agastache rugosa), made by soaking the plant in a solvent…

 Ajuga Reptans Leaf Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of the leaves of bugle (Ajuga reptans), a low-growing plant of the mint family, made by…

 Alcohol Denat. 100% natural origin

Plain alcohol (ethanol) with an additive so it can't be drunk. Used as a solvent and to help…

 Alpinia Zerumbet Leaf Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of shell ginger leaves, used to help control oiliness and support skin's natural defences.

 Aluminum Hydroxide Oxide 100% natural origin

A white mineral powder (boehmite) made from bauxite ore. It is listed in cosmetic ingredient databases for astringent,…

 Antrodia Cinnamomea Extract 100% natural origin

An extract from a Taiwanese medicinal fungus, used in skincare for its antioxidant and skin-protecting properties. Produced by…

Structure

2D structure of Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride

(1E)-2-[6-[[amino-[(E)-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]amino]methylidene]amino]hexyl]-1-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]guanidine;dihydrochloride

PubChem CID 9571016 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride. PubChem CID 9571016. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3CHLORHEXIDINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4CHLORHEXIDINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CHLORHEXIDINE%20DIHYDROCHLORIDE