Cosmocil® CQ is a broad spectrum, fast-acting antibacterial. A 20% aqueous solution of poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride, also known as PHMB, Cosmocil® CQ is an effective preservative for personal care formulations, active against a wide range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

INCI Name: Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

Functions: Anti-Microbial Agent, Bacteriostatic Agent, Preservative

Ingredient Origin: Synthetic

Benefit Claims: Anti-Bacterial, Antimicrobial, Broad pH Stability, Chemical Stability, Compatibility, Conditioning, Low Foaming, Low Volatility, Neutral Color, Preservation, Reduces Stickiness, Sunlight Stability, Tasteless

Labeling Claims: Credo Clean Standard, Environmentally Friendly, Halal, Natural, Non-GMO, Odor-free, Organic, Sustainable, Ulta Beauty's Conscious Beauty, VOC-free, Vegan

Certifications & Compliance: EU Compliant, EU Cosmetic Regulation 1223/2009 Compliant, Halal, IECIC (China)

Technical Data Sheet
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Identification & Functionality

Ingredient Origin
CAS No.
32289-58-0, 133029-32-0, 28757-47-3, 70170-61-5
Compositional Breakdown

 

Chemical Compound Breakdown CAS No. EINECS
Water 7732-18-5 231-791-2
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide 133029-32-0 / 27083-27-8  

 

Chemical Compound Breakdown %
Water 79.0–81.0%
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide 19.0–21.0%

 

Features & Benefits

Key Attributes
  • Fast-Acting and Trusted Antibacterial
  • Clear, colorless, highly water-soluble
  •  Fast-acting and strong antibacterial efficacy
  • High activity vs. tough Gram (negative) organisms e.g. Pseudomonas
  • Chemically stable and non-volatile
  • Zero VOC
  • Effective and stable over a broad pH range (3-10)
  • UV stable
  • Odorless and non-foaming
  • Broad global acceptance
  • Non-sticky feel on the skin

Applications & Uses

AP/Deo Applications
Baby Care Applications
Bath & Shower Applications
Personal Hygiene Applications
Wipes, Tissue & Towel Applications
Use Level
0.2-1.5%
Application pH Range
3–10
Applications
  • Baby care
  • Baby wipes
  • Body wash
  • Conditioner
  • Cream
  • Deo/ Anti-perspirant
  • Eye creams/gels
  • Eye shadow
  • Face lotion
  • Face wipes
  • Facial cream
  • Foundation
  • Hair gel
  • Hand soap (non anti-bac)
  • Lipstick/gloss
  • Lotion
  • Make-up remover
  • Mascara
  • Oil in Water
  • Oral care (as preservative, not the active)
  • Powder
  • Shampoo
  • Suncare
  • Toner
  • Water in Oil
Formulation Recommendations
  • If additional antifungal activity is required, Cosmocil® CQ can be
    formulated alongside the likes of sorbic acid, benzoic acid or IPBC
  • Since the active agent PHMB is cationic, the compatibiility and
    efficacy in anionic systems may be impacted

Properties

Physical Form
Odor
Odorless
Appearance
Clear
Soluble in
Water

Regulatory & Compliance

Chemical Inventories
Global Regulatory

Europe

  • Polyaminopropyl biguanide is listed on the Annex V to Regulation
    EC/1223/2009 – formerly Annex VI to Council Directive 76/768/EEC
    relating to preservatives for use in cosmetic products
  • Max authorized use level of 0.1% PHMB as a preservative

Japan

  • Approved for all categories of cosmetic products (leave-on, rinse-off
    and mucous contact) at a maximum dosage of 0.1% PHMB

United States

  • Allowed for Personal Care Products

Technical Details & Test Data

Efficacy

Microbiological Challenge Studies

Studies were run on three formulas at two concentrations of Cosmocil® CQ. The protocols used were the CTFA challenge test (56-day study with reinoculation at Day 28) and the EP challenge test (28-day).

Make-Up Remover Formulation
Ingredient Identity % (w/w)
Propylene Glycol Propylene Glycol 2.0
Glycerin Glycerin 2.0
PEG-8 Monooleate PEG-8 Monooleate 2.0
Plantaren 2000 N UP Decyl Glucoside 25.0
Cosmocil® CQ Polyaminopropyl biguanide 0.50
DI water Water To 100%

 

pH 5.5 – 56-day CTFA protocol : 0.5% Cosmocil® CQ 

Challenge 1 Challenge 2
Test Organism CFU/g counts 24 hours 7 days 28 days 24 hours 7 days 28 days
Staphylococcus aureus <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa + Burkholderia cepacia 4.5 x 10^3 <10 <10 3.0 x 10^4 <10 <10
Klebsiella pneumoniae + Enterobacter gergoviae <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Candida albicans 6.9 x 10^3 2.0 x 10^1 <10 9.0 x 10^1 <10 <10
Aspergillus brasiliensis + Penicillium sp 9.8 x 10^3 2.7 x 10^3 <10 3.2 x 10^2 4.0 x 10^1 4.0 x 10^2

 

pH 7.8 – 56-day CTFA protocol : 0.5% Cosmocil® CQ 

Challenge 1 Challenge 2
Test Organism CFU/g counts 24 hours 7 days 28 days 24 hours 7 days 28 days
Staphylococcus aureus <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa + Burkholderia cepacia <10 1.0 x 102 <10 <10 <10 <10
Klebsiella pneumoniae + Enterobacter gergoviae <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Candida albicans <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Aspergillus brasiliensis + Penicillium sp 4.0 x 103 3.0 x 103 2.4 x 102 3.1 x 102 1.1 x 102 2.1 x 103

 

56-day CTFA protocol : Unpreserved control

Challenge 1 Challenge 2
Test Organism CFU/g counts 0 hours 24 hours 7 days 28 days 0 hours 24 hours 7 days 28 days
Staphylococcus aureus 4.5 x 10^4 <10 <10 <10 1.4 x 10^6 2.0 x 10 <10 <10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa + Burkholderia cepacia 3.6 x 10^6 1.3 x 10^5 2.1 x 10^6 1.2 x 10^7 9.1 x 10^6 4.2 x 10^6 9.2 x 10^6 2.3 x 10^6
Klebsiella pneumoniae + Enterobacter gergoviae 1.2 x 10^6 7.0 x 10^3 5.0 x 10^4 8.5 x 10^5 3.8 x 10^6 2.1 x 10^6 2.2 x 10^6 <10
Candida albicans 8.7 x 10^4 6.3 x 10^4 1.6 x 10^4 1.7 x 10^4 2.0 x 10^3 1.5 x 10^3 1.2 x 10^2 <10
Aspergillus brasiliensis + Penicillium sp 5.5 x 10^4 5.1 x 10^4 1.6 x 10^4 1.7 x 10^4 5.4 x 10^4 8.8 x 10^4 4.0 x 10^4 2.1 x 10^4

 

Skin Cleanser
Ingredient Identity % (w/w)
Disodium EDTA Disodium EDTA 0.1
Butylene glycol Butylene glycol 3.0
Glycerin Glycerin 4.0
Natrulon® H-6 Polyglycerin-6 5.0
Deionized water Water 82.74
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract 1.0
NAB® Butterbur Extract Petasites japonicus Root Extract 1.0
Polyaldo® 10-1-CC Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate 3.0
Sodium hydroxide (10% solution) to pH 6.7 - 0.16

 

 pH 6.7 – 28-day EP protocol : 0.4% Cosmocil® CQ

Test Organism CFU/g counts 0 days 2 days 7 days 14 days 28 days EP Pass Criteria
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3.60 x 10^6 <10 <10 NT <10 A
Staphylococcus aureus 4.30 x 10^6 <10 <10 NT <10 A
Candida albicans 1.70 x 10^5 NT NT <10 <10 A
Aspergillus brasiliensis 2.60 x 10^5 NT NT 1.20 x 10^3 <10 A

NT = Not Tested

 

28-day EP protocol : Unpreserved control

Test Organism CFU/g counts 0 days 2 days 7 days 14 days 28 days EP Pass Criteria
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1.90 x 10^6 3.40 x 10^6 3.80 x 10^6 NT NT Fail
Staphylococcus aureus 2.20 x 10^6 1.36 x 10^5 2.90 x 10^4 NT NT Fail
Candida albicans 1.65 x 10^5 NT NT NT NT Fail
Aspergillus brasiliensis 2.30 x 10^5 NT NT NT NT Fail
Lotion
Ingredient Identity % (w/w)
Urea Urea 5.00
Sorbitan Monostearate Sorbitan Monostearate 2.00
Aldo® MCT Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 20.00
PEG-1750 Monostearate PEG-1750 Monostearate 1.50
Lonzest® MSA Glyceryl Monostearate 2.00
Polyaldo® 10-10-O Decaglycerol Decaoleate 5.00
Natrosol 250HHR Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.75
Cosmocil® CQ Polyaminopropyl biguanide 0.50
DI water Water To 100%

 

Test Results

pH 5.4 – 56-day CTFA protocol : 0.5% Cosmocil® CQ 

Challenge 1 Challenge 2
Test Organism CFU/g counts 24 hours 7 days 28 days 24 hours 7 days 28 days
Staphylococcus aureus <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa + Burkholderia cepacia 9.0 x 10^2 7.0 x 10^2 <10 <10 <10 <10
Klebsiella pneumoniae + Enterobacter gergoviae 7.0 x 10^2 3.0 x 10^2 <10 <10 <10 <10
Candida albicans <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Aspergillus brasiliensis + Penicillium sp 5.0 x 10^2 5.0 x 10^2 1.8 x 10^2 2 6.0 x 10^1 <10 1.9 x 10^2

 

 pH 7.6 – 56-day CTFA protocol : 0.5% Cosmocil® CQ

Challenge 1 Challenge 2
Test Organism CFU/g counts 24 hours 7 days 28 days 24 hours 7 days 28 days
Staphylococcus aureus 5.0 x 10^2 3.0 x 10^2 <10 <10 <10 <10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa + Burkholderia cepacia <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Klebsiella pneumoniae + Enterobacter gergoviae <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Candida albicans <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
Aspergillus brasiliensis + Penicillium sp 1.1 x 10^4 8.0 x 10^2 4.0 x 10^1 2.3 x 10^4 5.0 x 10^1 <10

 

56-day CTFA protocol : Unpreserved control 

Challenge 1 Challenge 2
Test Organism CFU/g counts 0 hours 24 hours 7 days 28 days 0 hours 24 hours 7 days 28 days
Staphylococcus aureus 3.3 x 10^6 2.2 x 10^6 7.7 x 10^5 <10 3.2 x 10^6 4.0 x 10^6 1.5 x 10^6 1.0 x 10^1
Pseudomonas aeruginosa + Burkholderia cepacia 1.2 x 10^6 3.9 x 10^5 3.4 x 10^4 <10 3.1 x 10^6 1.4 x 10^6 4.9 x 10^4 1.5 x 10^4
Klebsiella pneumoniae + Enterobacter gergoviae 3.8 x 10^6 8.3 x 10^5 1.5 x 10^4 <10 7.4 x 10^6 2.0 x 10^6 1.5 x 10^4 <10
Candida albicans 1.1 x 10^5 1.1 x 10^5 1.4 x 10^3 2.1 x 10^1 2.0 x 10^3 7.6 x 10^2 <10 <10
Aspergillus brasiliensis + Penicillium sp 6.0 x 10^4 8.0 x 10^4 8.0 x 10^4 1.9 x 10^4 6.4 x 104 6.7 x 10^4 <10 <10

Packaging & Availability

Country Availability
Regional Availability
  • Africa
  • China
  • Europe
  • India
  • Japan
  • Latin America
  • Middle East
  • North America
  • Oceania
  • South East Asia