Triclosan is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal compound historically used in soaps, deodorants, and some topical products. Regulatory restrictions have reduced its use due to safety and environmental concerns.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation | Uncommon | Mild redness or stinging at application site |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Sensitization reported with repeated exposure |
Endocrine disruption (hormonal effects) | Rare | Concern based largely on animal and laboratory studies |
Contribution to antimicrobial resistance | Rare | Theoretical and laboratory-supported risk with widespread use |
Photosensitivity | Very rare | Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight reported in isolated cases |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.