Hexamidine Diparaben is a chemical compound belonging to the paraben family, a salt derived from the combination of Hexamidine and 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid (paraben).

The name describes the structure of the molecule.

• Hexamidine is a molecule that has antimicrobial properties and is often used in cosmetic and skin care products to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
• Diparaben suggests a structure derived from parabens, which are a class of preservatives used in many cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Parabens are known for their antimicrobial and fungicidal properties.

Description of raw materials used in production.

• Hexamidine: an antimicrobial and antifungal agent, often used in skincare products and cosmetics for its preservative properties.
• 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid: also known as para-hydroxybenzoic acid, it's the structural base of parabens, a family of preservatives used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Step-by-step summary of its industrial production process.

• Hexamidine is dissolved in an appropriate solvent in a reactor.
• 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid is gradually added to the Hexamidine solution under agitation.
• The reaction proceeds until the desired salt, Hexamidine Diparaben, is formed.
• Once the reaction is complete, the product is filtered to remove impurities.
• The resulting Hexamidine Diparaben is then dried and milled to the desired form for use.

Hexamidine Diparaben typically presents as a white to slightly yellowish powder.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

It is a restricted ingredient as V/47  a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Benzenecarboximidamide, 4,4'-(1,6-hexanediylbis(oxy))bis-, and its salts (including isothionate and p-hydroxybenzoate). Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation    0.1%

Antimicrobial agent. This ingredient is able to suppress or inhibit the growth and replication of a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses by making the stratum corneum temporarily bactericidal and fungicidal.

Preservative. Any product containing organic, inorganic compounds, water, needs to be preserved from microbial contamination. Preservatives act against the development of harmful microorganisms and against oxidation of the product.

CAS  93841-83-9

EC number 299-055-3

Safety

Parabens are preservative chemical compounds that have been the subject of attention in the scientific literature as possible endocrine disruptors (particularly propylparaben and butylparaben), i.e. with the possibility of damaging the hormone-producing glands in our bodies, particularly in the breasts. The 2004 study by Darbre et al. showed that parabens remain in our bodies as intact esters (2). Following this study, some of the scientific literature in 2005 and 2006 cast doubt on Darbre's conclusions and claimed they were limited. However, both the US FDA and the European SCCP authorised in 2006 the use of a single paraben in cosmetic products at a concentration of 0.4% and the use of total parabens at a concentration of 0.8%. However, there is no shortage of studies that consider the restrictions unnecessary: M. G. Kirchhof et al. in 2013 found that parabens are among the safest and most well-tolerated preservatives and that current data do not support drastic regulations or personal exposure restrictions. Darbre in 2014 published a further study in which he showed how parabens can cause DNA damage.