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Household ingredient · Preservative / disinfectant

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)

A disinfectant and preservative in some wipes and cleaners.

  • Antimicrobial agent
  • Preservative
  • Expert review pending
Low concern Level 1 of 4 How concern levels work

A minor or very limited concern, such as being an ultra-processing marker only. The concern level sets how many points polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) costs on a product’s receipt.

What the evidence says

  • Restricted useRegulatory

    The EU allows PHMB in cosmetics only up to 0.1% and not in products that could be inhaled (2019). [1]

Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.

Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (6)
  • phmb
  • polyhexanide
  • polyaminopropyl biguanide
  • polyhexamethylene biguanide
  • polyhexamethylene biguanide phmb
  • polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride

Sources

  1. Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/831 of 22 May 2019 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009

    European Union (Official Journal) · May 22, 2019 · Law

    “Formaldehyde should also be added to the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu