4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol · CAS 88-04-0 · INCI: CHLOROXYLENOL · Antiseptik Madda اینٹیسیپٹک مادہ
PCMX — jise "Dettol ka active ingredient" bhi kaha jata hai — ek broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative hai. Petroleum-derived, 100% synthetic, fully halal. EU Annex V ke tahat cosmetics mein max 0.5% permitted.
CAS 88-04-0
Identifier
EU Annex V ≤0.5%
EU Status
Halal ✓ Synthetic
Status
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Quick Reference
At a Glance
Common Names
Chloroxylenol · PCMX · 4-Chloro-3,5-xylenol · Dettol Active
CAS / EINECS / CosIng
88-04-0 · 201-793-8 · 32666
Molecular Formula / MW
C₈H₉ClO · 156.61 g/mol
Physical Form
White to off-white crystalline powder; distinctive phenolic odour
Log P (Octanol/Water)
~3.27 (lipophilic — membrane-active)
Melting Point
115–116 °C (solubilise with PG or warm water)
Solubility
Sparingly soluble in water; freely soluble in ethanol, PG, oils
Halal Status
✓ 100% Synthetic — petroleum-derived via chlorination; no animal, no alcohol fermentation
0.01–0.05% (bacteria); 0.1–0.3% for fungi / Malassezia
EU Cosmetics Regulation
Annex V — Permitted Preservative (all product types) max 0.5%
pH Stability
Optimal 4.0–7.0; activity decreases above pH 8
Shelf Life
3 years sealed; store below 30 °C away from moisture
Pakistan Market Name
Antiseptik Madda · اینٹیسیپٹک مادہ · "Dettol Wala Madda"
Introduction
Dettol Wala Madda — The Antimicrobial Standard
Chloroxylenol (PCMX) is the active bactericidal compound in Dettol — the antiseptic brand that Pakistani households have trusted for generations. First synthesised in the early 20th century, PCMX belongs to the halogenated phenol class: a simple chlorine atom placed at the 4-position of 3,5-dimethylphenol creates a molecule with exceptional affinity for bacterial membranes. At cosmetic concentrations of 0.1–0.5%, PCMX reliably suppresses the axillary odour-causing bacteria (Corynebacterium spp., Staphylococcus hominis), Malassezia furfur (the dandruff-associated yeast), and Cutibacterium acnes — making it indispensable in antibacterial soaps, medicated shampoos, and anti-acne cleansers.
In Pakistan's personal care market, where antibacterial claims drive significant consumer purchase decisions, PCMX occupies a unique position: it is EU Annex V permitted, 100% synthetic and halal-certified from a petrochemical chain free of any animal or fermentation input, and far safer than the now-banned triclosan. For formulators at Bio Shop™ Pakistan, PCMX enables clinically credible claims — "antibacterial," "dandruff control," "anti-acne" — in a single, cost-effective active that performs reliably through Lahore's 45°C summers and Karachi's 90% humidity.
Bio Shop™ Pakistan — Sourcing Note
Bio Shop™ Pakistan stocks Cosmetic Grade Chloroxylenol (PCMX) ≥99.5% purity as white crystalline powder, with CoA, MSDS, and EU Cosmetics Regulation compliance documentation. Product available at bioshop.pk/products/chloroxylenol-pcmx.
Four distinct grades of Chloroxylenol PCMX exist in the market. Only cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade should be used in finished formulations.
Recommended
Cosmetic Grade
EU Cosmetics Regulation compliant · CoA supplied
≥99.5%
White crystalline powder, characteristic phenolic odour. Full CoA with assay, heavy metals, residual solvents. Stocked by Bio Shop™ Pakistan. Suitable for all leave-on and rinse-off cosmetic applications up to 0.5%.
Alternative
Pharmaceutical Grade
USP / BP specification
≥99.8%
Meets United States Pharmacopeia and British Pharmacopoeia standards. Higher testing burden (microbial limits, endotoxins). Overkill for cosmetics but acceptable. Used in wound antiseptics and medicated products.
Not Recommended
Technical Grade
Industrial / agricultural disinfectant use
95–98%
Lower purity with uncharacterised impurities. May cause skin sensitisation. No CoA. Sold in drums for industrial disinfection. Do NOT use in any cosmetic, personal care, or topical formulation.
Pre-formulated — Avoid
Dettol Liquid (4.8%)
Pre-diluted consumer antiseptic solution
4.8%
Contains multiple additives, colourants, and fragrance. PCMX concentration not suitable for secondary formulation. Do not use Dettol as a raw material — always source pure PCMX powder for precise dosing.
Dosage Tiers
Concentration Behaviour
PCMX activity is sharply concentration-dependent. The EU Annex V ceiling of 0.5% applies to all cosmetic product types — both leave-on and rinse-off.
< 0.05%Sub-Inhibitory
Below minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most target organisms. Insufficient for preservative efficacy. Risk of selecting resistant sub-populations over time. Not recommended for standalone use.
0.05–0.1%Research / Exploratory
Borderline bacteriostatic range. Acceptable only in combination with other preservatives (e.g., Germall Plus, phenoxyethanol) for a challenge-tested system. Not suitable as sole preservative in rinse-off or leave-on products.
0.1–0.3%Rinse-Off Formulas
Standard range for shampoos, body washes, and liquid hand soaps. Provides reliable bactericidal activity against dandruff-associated Malassezia and axillary odour bacteria. Effective contact time is achieved even in brief-contact rinse-off formats.
0.3–0.5%Leave-on / EU Maximum
Maximum efficacy range for leave-on products (creams, lotions, deodorants). EU Annex V hard ceiling is 0.5% for all product categories. At 0.5%, PCMX is bactericidal within minutes against Gram+ and Gram− bacteria, C. acnes, and most cosmetically relevant fungi.
> 0.5%Non-Cosmetic / Pharmaceutical
Exceeds EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex V limit. Concentrations above 0.5% are only permitted in pharmaceutical antiseptics and wound-care products under medical supervision. Do not use above 0.5% in any cosmetic formulation — non-compliant for EU/Pakistan export.
Synergy with EDTAChelation Booster
Adding EDTA disodium (0.05–0.1%) significantly potentiates PCMX activity against Gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the outer membrane lipopolysaccharide layer, increasing PCMX membrane access. This combination enables effective Gram-negative control at lower PCMX concentrations — a key formulation strategy for challenge test compliance.
Mechanism of Action
Functional Performance Profile
PCMX exerts antimicrobial activity through four interconnected mechanisms — from physical membrane disruption to enzymatic collapse. Understanding each step helps formulators optimise pH, concentration, and synergistic combinations.
Mechanism 1 · Primary Action
Cell Membrane Disruption
PCMX's log P of ~3.27 makes it a moderately lipophilic molecule that partitions preferentially into bacterial phospholipid bilayers. The chlorine atom at position 4 creates an electron-withdrawing effect that enhances the phenol ring's interaction with membrane lipids, while the two methyl groups at 3,5 positions provide steric bulk that wedges PCMX between lipid tails. This physical intercalation increases membrane fluidity, creates lateral phase separations, and ultimately causes loss of selective permeability — the first and most immediate lethal event for target bacteria.
Mechanism 2 · Enzymatic Inactivation
Thiol Enzyme Inactivation
Once PCMX has partitioned into the membrane, its phenolic –OH group accesses membrane-associated and cytoplasmic enzymes carrying cysteine residues at their active sites. The phenol acts as a mild electrophile toward the thiol (–SH) groups, forming reversible phenol–thiol adducts that block enzyme catalysis. Critical targets include dehydrogenases, ATP synthase subunits, and membrane-bound transport proteins. This enzyme inactivation layer adds a biochemical dimension to PCMX's bactericidal action, explaining why it is effective even at concentrations below full membrane disruption thresholds — particularly relevant at the 0.1–0.3% rinse-off range.
Mechanism 3 · Bioenergetic Collapse
Ion Leakage & ATP Collapse
Membrane disruption leads to uncontrolled efflux of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, both essential for enzymatic function and ribosomal stability. Simultaneously, the proton motive force (PMF) — the electrochemical gradient that drives ATP synthesis — is abolished as protons leak freely across the compromised bilayer. Without PMF, ATP synthase cannot produce energy, halting all active transport, biosynthesis, and cell maintenance. At PCMX concentrations ≥0.3%, this energetic collapse is irreversible and bactericidal rather than merely bacteriostatic — a critical distinction for challenge-test compliance in leave-on cosmetics.
Mechanism 4 · Target Organisms
Broad-Spectrum Activity Profile
PCMX's combined membrane and enzymatic mechanisms translate into a broad target organism profile relevant to Pakistan's personal care market: Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus hominis (axillary odour — deodorant soaps), Malassezia furfur and M. globosa (dandruff — medicated shampoos), Cutibacterium acnes (acne — anti-acne face washes), Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli (general hygiene). The EDTA synergy described in Section 6 specifically extends this spectrum to cover Pseudomonas aeruginosa — a key challenge organism in EU Preservative Efficacy Testing (PET) under EN ISO 11930.
Formulation Accords
Three Production Formulas
All formulas are 100g total batch, verified by Python arithmetic. Glycerin has no confirmed bioshop.pk product slug — rendered as plain text; verify supplier. EDTA 2NA, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, PQ-10, and SCI are not in the verified product catalogue — rendered as plain text; verify at bioshop.pk.
Formula 01
Antiseptik Sabun Paani
Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap · Rinse-Off · PCMX 0.5%
⚠ Formulation Note: Dissolve PCMX in Propylene Glycol before adding to the water phase to ensure complete solubilisation. Add NaCl last to adjust viscosity. Target pH 5.5–6.5 with citric acid. EDTA synergises PCMX against Gram-negative bacteria.
Formula 02
Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Sar Ko Saaf Karo · Malassezia-Targeted · PCMX 0.5%
⚠ Source document listed water as 57.4g (total 103.0g — arithmetic error). Corrected to 54.3g to balance formula to exactly 100.0g. All percentages recalculated.
⚠ Formulation Note: Pre-dissolve PCMX in PG, then add to warm shampoo base (40–50°C). PQ-10 provides conditioning and antistatic benefits. Target pH 5.0–6.0 for scalp compatibility. Panthenol boosts cuticle repair alongside PCMX's antifungal action.
Formula 03
Bedag Chehra Anti-Acne Face Wash
بے داغ چہرہ · C. acnes Targeted · PCMX 0.3%
⚠ Source document listed water as 68.6g (total only 93.8g — 6.2g undercount error). Corrected to 74.7g to balance formula to exactly 100.0g. All percentages recalculated.
⚠ Formulation Note: Dissolve salicylic acid and PCMX in PG before adding to water phase. Xanthan gum should be dispersed in glycerin first. Zinc PCA adds sebum regulation + mild antimicrobial support. Target pH 4.5–5.5 for salicylic acid efficacy and PCMX activity.
Formulation Partners
Classic Pairings
PCMX performs optimally when combined with complementary actives and functional ingredients. These pairing groups represent tried-and-tested combinations for Pakistan's personal care market.
How does Chloroxylenol PCMX compare to other cosmetic antimicrobials available in Pakistan? Key dimensions: regulatory status, spectrum, halal, and Pakistan climate performance.
Triclosan
Halogenated Bisphenol Ether · EU-banned since 2017
EU Status vs. PCMX
EU Annex II PROHIBITED in cosmetics. PCMX is EU Annex V PERMITTED.
Antimicrobial Spectrum
Broad-spectrum but banned. PCMX offers equivalent spectrum legally.
Use With PCMX
Never — triclosan is prohibited in EU/UK-destined cosmetics.
Pakistan Verdict
Still sold locally but unusable for export. Switch to PCMX immediately for any EU/Gulf market product.
Verdict: PCMX is the direct, regulatory-safe replacement for triclosan in all cosmetic applications.
Phenoxyethanol
Glycol Ether · EU Annex V · max 1.0%
Spectrum vs. PCMX
Mainly bacteria; limited antifungal. PCMX superior for Malassezia/dandruff applications.
Stability
Liquid — easier to disperse. PCMX is powder — requires PG pre-dissolution.
Both stable above 40°C. PCMX crystalline powder advantageous in Lahore heat storage.
Verdict: Ideal combination partner. Use 0.3% PCMX + 0.5% phenoxyethanol for comprehensive preservation in face washes.
Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)
Quaternary Ammonium · Cationic Surfactant
Skin Tolerance
More irritating than PCMX at equivalent concentrations, especially for darker Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin common in Pakistan.
Compatibility
Incompatible with anionic surfactants (SLES, SCI). PCMX is surfactant-compatible.
Antifungal
Limited Malassezia activity. PCMX superior for dandruff shampoos.
Pakistan Market
Used in hospital disinfectants. PCMX preferred for personal care due to milder skin profile.
Verdict: BAC is more aggressive and less compatible with anionic systems. PCMX preferred in shampoos and liquid soaps.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT/CMIT)
Isothiazolinone · EU Annex V · leave-on BANNED
EU Leave-On Status
MIT prohibited in leave-on cosmetics since 2016 (EU Decision 2014/155/EU). PCMX permitted in all types.
Sensitisation Risk
High sensitisation potential — known contact allergen. PCMX has lower sensitisation profile.
Rinse-Off Use
MIT permitted in rinse-off at 0.0015% only. PCMX permitted up to 0.5% — far broader headroom.
Pakistan Formulators
Avoid MIT in any leave-on product. PCMX is the safer, more versatile choice across product types.
Verdict: PCMX is superior to MIT/CMIT for leave-on products and offers broader concentration headroom in rinse-off formats.
Safety & Compliance
Regulatory Framework
Chloroxylenol PCMX is one of the most extensively safety-assessed cosmetic preservatives. Its EU Annex V permitted status reflects decades of regulatory review.
EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 — Annex V
Permitted preservative — all cosmetic product types (leave-on and rinse-off). Maximum concentration: 0.5% in finished product. No additional restrictions on product category. Reference number: 32 in Annex V.
Pakistan DRAP / Export Compliance
No specific DRAP restrictions on PCMX in cosmetics. Formulas at ≤0.5% are compliant for domestic sale and Gulf/EU export. Products making antiseptic claims may require DRAP drug registration — consult a regulatory expert for medicated claim positioning.
Halal Certification
100% synthetic via petrochemical pathway: 3,5-xylenol (from petroleum) → chlorination with Cl₂ or SO₂Cl₂ → PCMX. No animal-derived input, no fermentation, no ethanol solvent in synthesis. Fully halal. PCMX from Bio Shop™ Pakistan carries supplier CoA documentation suitable for halal certification bodies.
Skin Sensitisation (EU SCCS)
EU SCCS has reviewed PCMX multiple times. Current 0.5% maximum reflects the no-effect concentration for human sensitisation induction. At cosmetic-use concentrations PCMX is well-tolerated. Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin (common in South Asia) — no specific evidence of higher sensitisation risk at ≤0.5%.
Eye Safety / Mucous Membrane
Avoid eye contact — PCMX at cosmetic concentrations can cause transient irritation. Formulas used near eyes (facial cleansers) should be thoroughly rinsed. Not for use in eye cosmetics. Rinse-off formulas reduce dermal exposure significantly.
Preservation Efficacy Testing (PET)
Formulators should conduct EU EN ISO 11930 PET on finished products. PCMX alone at 0.5% typically passes Category A (Category B for leave-on rinse-off products) when combined with EDTA 0.1% for Gram-negative coverage. Include challenge organisms: S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, A. brasiliensis.
Storage Guidance
Storage & Handling
Temperature
Store below 30°C. Melting point is 115–116°C — stable in Lahore's 45°C summer heat when kept sealed. Avoid prolonged temperatures above 35°C to prevent caking.
Humidity (Karachi)
PCMX powder is hygroscopic at high RH. In Karachi's 75–90% coastal humidity, store in airtight containers with silica gel desiccant. Moisture absorption causes clumping but does not reduce potency — break up clumps before weighing.
Container Type
Original sealed packaging, HDPE or glass. Avoid PVC contact — chlorinated phenols can permeate thin plastic. Double-seal in humid climates.
Shelf Life
3 years from manufacture date when stored correctly. Verify assay (GC-MS or HPLC) if approaching expiry. No known photo-degradation but avoid direct sunlight as a precaution.
Workplace Handling
Wear gloves and avoid inhalation of powder during weighing. PCMX is mildly irritating to skin and mucous membranes at high concentrations. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Phenolic odour is distinctive — weigh in ventilated area.
Dissolution Notes
PCMX dissolves poorly in cold water. Always pre-dissolve in Propylene Glycol (PG) at 10:1 ratio (PG:PCMX) before adding to water phase. Warm water (50–60°C) also aids dispersion. Do not add dry powder directly to cold aqueous base.
PCMX (Chloroxylenol) khud 100% halal hai — yeh petroleum-derived synthesis se banta hai: 3,5-xylenol (crude oil refining ka byproduct) ko Cl₂ gas ke saath react karte hain aur PCMX banta hai. Is puri chain mein koi animal ingredient, koi ethanol, koi fermentation nahi hota. Dettol consumer product mein fragrance aur caramel colour hote hain jo confusing lagte hain, lekin pure PCMX powder jo Bio Shop™ Pakistan supply karta hai woh fully synthetic aur halal hai. Halal certification ke liye CoA aur synthesis documentation Bio Shop™ se mil sakti hai.
PCMX ki purity kaise verify karein? Koun sa test reliable hai?+
Cosmetic grade PCMX ≥99.5% assay hona chahiye — yeh GC (gas chromatography) ya HPLC se measure hota hai. Reliable verification steps: (1) CoA check karein — lot number, assay %, melting point 115–116°C confirm karein; (2) Melting point test — pure PCMX 115–116°C pe sharply melt hota hai, adulterated batches wider range ya lower MP dete hain; (3) FTIR — characteristic peaks at 3,200–3,400 cm⁻¹ (phenol O–H) aur 750–800 cm⁻¹ (aromatic C–Cl) confirm karti hain authenticity. Bio Shop™ Pakistan ka PCMX third-party lab-tested CoA ke saath aata hai.
Haan — agar aap EU ya Gulf markets ke liye formulate kar rahe hain toh triclosan se PCMX par switch karna zaruri hai. Triclosan EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 ke Annex II mein banned hai since 2014/155/EU decision. Antimicrobial spectrum ke lihaz se PCMX triclosan ke barabar hai — dono broad-spectrum Gram+/Gram− coverage dete hain. PCMX ka additional advantage yeh hai ke iska regulatory record clean hai, sensitisation profile lower hai, aur 0.5% EU ceiling kaafi headroom deta hai. Pakistani local market mein triclosan abhi available hai, lekin future-proofing ke liye aaj hi PCMX switch karein.
Mujhe kaun sa grade aur kitna PCMX kharidna chahiye?+
Hamesha Cosmetic Grade ≥99.5% khareedein — Pharmaceutical Grade zyada expensive hai bina cosmetic benefit ke, Technical Grade unsafe hai. Quantity guide: 100g PCMX se aap 20kg finished antibacterial soap bana sakte hain (0.5% loading). Shampoo formulas (0.5%) ke liye 100g se 20kg production. Face wash (0.3%) ke liye 100g se ~33kg production. Chhote batches ke liye 100g start karein; regular production ke liye 500g–1kg pack zyada cost-effective hai. Bio Shop™ Pakistan se order karein: bioshop.pk/products/chloroxylenol-pcmx. PCMX ki shelf life 3 saal hai — bulk buying safe option hai.
Lahore ki garmi mein PCMX formulas stable rehte hain?+
Haan — PCMX raw material 115°C pe melt hota hai, isliye Lahore ki May–August heat (38–45°C) se PCMX powder completely safe hai. Finished formulas ki stability ka sawaal hai: antibacterial hand soaps aur shampoos mein PCMX pH 5–7 range pe thermal-stable hai, lekin 45°C+ pe extended storage se preservative activity thodi reduce ho sakti hai. Recommendation: (1) dark, opaque containers use karein; (2) Germall Plus 0.3% PCMX ke saath blend karein for additional heat-stable backup; (3) challenge test (ISO 11930) 45°C accelerated conditions pe perform karein agar Gulf export karna hai. Karachi ki humidity mein raw PCMX powder airtight store karein.
EU export ke liye PCMX ka maximum concentration kya hai?+
EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V Entry 32 ke mutabiq: CHLOROXYLENOL maximum 0.5% all product types — both leave-on (creams, lotions, deodorants) aur rinse-off (shampoos, soaps, face washes). Koi product-type restriction nahi hai — same 0.5% limit sab jagah apply hoti hai. EU label pe INCI name "CHLOROXYLENOL" use karein. Preservative Efficacy Test (PET) EU EN ISO 11930 standard ke mutabiq karwanein. EDTA 2NA 0.1% add karna Gram-negative coverage improve karta hai aur PET pass hone mein help karta hai. 0.5% se zyada kabhi mat daalein cosmetics mein.
Pakistan ke kaun se consumer segments ke liye PCMX products best hain?+
PCMX Pakistan ke teen strong consumer segments serve karta hai: (1) Middle-class urban families — "antibacterial hand soap" aur "medicated shampoo" high-trust categories hain, particularly post-COVID hygiene awareness ke baad; Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad markets mein strongest demand. (2) Dandruff solutions — Malassezia-targeting PCMX shampoos mein Pakistani consumers traditionally herbal remedies use karte hain, lekin clinically-positioned PCMX shampoos premium segment capture kar sakte hain. (3) Anti-acne / face wash — teenage segment (15–25 years), particularly darker Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin types, jahan bacterial acne prevalence high hai. PCMX + salicylic acid combination Gulf export ke liye bhi strong selling point hai.
Urdu brand mein PCMX ko kaise position karein? Garmi mein kaunse products bestsell hote hain?+
Urdu brand name ideas for PCMX-based products: "صاف گارڈ" (Saaf Guard) — antibacterial liquid soap; "شفاف شیمپو" (Shaffaf Shampoo) — medicated dandruff control; "بے داغ چہرہ" (Bedag Chehra) — anti-acne face wash (aap ke Formula 3 ka naam). Consumer positioning key points: "EU Annex V approved," "Dettol ka active ingredient," "Halal certified, petroleum-derived." Garmi mein bestsellers: (1) antibacterial liquid soap — sweat bacteria control is peak demand in summer; (2) anti-dandruff shampoo — Lahore ki dry heat dandruff worsen karta hai May–August; (3) anti-acne face wash — summer heat sebum production badha deta hai C. acnes growth promote karte hue. Ramadan gifting packs mein PCMX soap set bhi well-received hota hai.
Download the complete Bio Shop™ Pakistan technical reference document for Chloroxylenol PCMX — includes formulation guidelines, safety data, regulatory text, and CoA interpretation guide.
