Triclosan

Its use in cosmetics has declined in recent years, but it is a safe and effective ingredient which has been proven to help enhance oral hygiene if it is used in toothpastes and mouthwashes, and personal hygiene if it is used in soaps, hand washing liquids and deodorants. It can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria, helping prevent the spread of germs, reducing the risk of infections, maintaining the oral cavity in good condition and controlling body odour.

Safety

A full safety file has been assessed by the independent expert committee of the European Commission (the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety, SCCS). The SCCS has issued a number of opinions supporting the use of Triclosan as a safe and effective ingredient in cosmetic products and its use is carefully controlled by the UK and EU cosmetics laws.

Triclosan has been studied more extensively than many other substances, natural or man-made, in use today. Those studies cover the safety of Triclosan to us, including any possible risk of harm during pregnancy and to babies and infants, animals and the environment, including investigating the risk of antimicrobial resistance.