The ingredient, explained

Triclosan

Research examined TRICLOSAN under the stated study conditions.

DeodorantPreservative

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

5-Chloro-2--2‚4-dichlorophenoxy-phenol

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Deodorant: Helps reduce or mask unwanted body odour.
Preservative: Helps inhibit microbial growth in the cosmetic product.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human topical research

The 0.5% triclosan soap reduced E.coli counts after hand hygiene in the tested volunteer protocol.

What this does not tell us

15 volunteers in antimicrobial testing; this is short-term hand-hygiene activity, not acne efficacy or long-term skin safety. The qualitative sensory findings concerned tea-tree soap, not triclosan.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 33635424 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.

Review source 1 ↗

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.

Read the 1 selected study

Human topical research · n=15
Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil soap: a potential alternative for hand hygiene. ↗
European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology · 2021

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