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Beauty ingredient · Antibacterial / preservative

Triclosan

CAS
3380-34-5

An antibacterial agent once common in hand soaps; now mainly in some toothpastes and deodorants.

  • Antimicrobial agent
  • Preservative
  • Expert review pending
High concern Level 3 of 4 How concern levels work

A regulatory warning or restriction somewhere, or strong evidence of harm at typical intake. The concern level sets how many points triclosan costs on a product’s receipt.

What the evidence says

  • Restricted useRegulatory

    The FDA found triclosan not generally recognized as safe and effective in consumer antiseptic washes (2016 rule, effective 2017). [1]

  • Suspected endocrine disruptorRegulatory

    The EU restricted triclosan further in 2024 after a call for data on potential endocrine-disrupting properties. [2]

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

Rules around the world

WhereStatusDetailsDateSource
United States Banned Not allowed as an active ingredient in OTC consumer antiseptic washes (effective September 6, 2017). Sep 6, 2017 [1]
European Union Restricted Up to 0.3% in listed products; not allowed in mouthwash or in toothpaste for children under 3. — [2]
Canada Restricted Mouthwash up to 0.03%; other cosmetics up to 0.3%. — [3]
Washington State (US) Banned Not allowed in cosmetics from January 1, 2025. Jan 1, 2025 [4]

“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there. We use each regulator’s own words.

Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (4)
  • irgasan
  • triclosan
  • irgasan dp 300
  • 5 chloro 2 2 4 dichlorophenoxy phenol

Sources

  1. Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics; Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (81 FR 61106)

    Federal Register (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) · Sep 6, 2016 · Law

    “are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRAS/GRAE) and are misbranded.”

    federalregister.gov

  2. Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/996 of 3 April 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards Vitamin A, Alpha-Arbutin and Arbutin and certain substances with potential endocrine disrupting properties

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 3, 2024 · Law

    “vitamin A is safe in cosmetic products up to concentrations of 0,05 % Retinol Equivalent (RE) in body lotion and 0,3 % RE in other leave-on and rinse-off products.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  3. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: prohibited and restricted ingredients

    Health Canada · Aug 13, 2025 · Regulator

    “The following ingredients are only permitted in cosmetic products under the conditions of use specified below:”

    canada.ca

  4. Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 70A.560 (Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act)

    Washington State Legislature · Law

    “(a) Ortho-phthalates; (b) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; (c) Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) and chemicals determined by the department to release formaldehyde;”

    app.leg.wa.gov