Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Almoughrabie S, Ngari C, Guillier L, Briandet R, Poulet V, Dubois-Brissonnet F. Rapid assessment and prediction of the efficiency of two preservatives against S. aureus in cosmetic products using High Content Screening-Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. PLoS One. 2020 Jul 27;15(7):e0236059. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236059.

Abstract. Most cosmetic products are susceptible to microbiological spoilage due to contaminations that could happen during fabrication or by consumer's repetitive manipulation. The composition of cosmetic products must guarantee efficient bacterial inactivation all along with the product shelf life, which is usually assessed by challenge-tests. A challenge-test consists in inoculating specific bacteria, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, in the formula and then investigating the bacterial log reduction over time. The main limitation of this method is relative to the time-consuming protocol, where 30 days are needed to obtain results.

Fukui GM, Berger FM, Chandlee GC, Goldenbaum EG. Effect of chlorphenesin on localized hemolysis in gel assay. J Bacteriol. 1968 Oct;96(4):1133-6. doi: 10.1128/jb.96.4.1133-1136.1968.

Abstract. Chlorphenesin, a simple glycerol ether, when added to Jerne plates greatly reduced the number of hemolytic plaques. This effect appeared to be related to dose, and was clearly demonstrable with antibody-forming spleen cells from mice that had been immunized either with sheep red blood cells or with penicillin G conjugated with Keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Chlorphenesin did not affect the antigen, destroy complement, or interfere with the interaction of complement and the antigen-antibody complexes. Incubation of spleen cell suspensions with chlorphenesin prior to plating was more effective in reducing the number of plaques than was addition of the substance to the plates. It may act by reducing the ability of antibodies to react with antigens or by affecting the release of antibodies from the spleen cells.

Whang HY, Neter E. Chlorphenesin: an antigen-associated immunosuppressant. Infect Immun. 1970 Jul;2(1):60-4. doi: 10.1128/iai.2.1.60-64.1970.

Abstract. Chlorphenesin, when injected intravenously together with either of two common bacterial antigens, inhibits the antibody response of the rabbit. The antigens studied are those common to Enterobacteriaceae and to gram-positive bacteria.

Ben Ouaghrem M, de Vaugelade S, Bourcier S, Genty C, Pirnay S, Bouchonnet S. Characterization of photoproducts and global ecotoxicity of chlorphenesin: A preservative used in skin care products. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021 Dec 27. doi: 10.1111/ics.12760.

Abstract. Photolysis experiments of chlorphenesin, used as a preservative in cosmetic products, were performed in aqueous solution and on a cream used in cosmetics. © 2022 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and Societe Francaise de Cosmetologie.