Chloroacetamide
AKA “2-Chloroacetamide, 79-07-2, Acetamide, 2-chloro-, CHLORACETAMIDE, Microcide, 2-Chloroethanamide, Mergal AF, Chloracetamid, alpha-Chloroacetamide”
Preservative
Ingredient Facts
Chloroacetamide
AKA: 2-Chloroacetamide, 79-07-2, 2-chloro-, CHLORACETAMIDE, Microcide, 2-Chloroethanamide, Mergal AF, Chloracetamid, Alpha-Chloroacetamide
Preservative · Preservative · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
2-chloroacetamide is a monocarboxylic acid amide that is acetamide substituted by a chloro group at position 2. It has a role as an antimicrobial cosmetic preservative, a fungicide, a herbicide and an antimicrobial agent. It is a primary carboxamide, a monocarboxylic acid amide, an organochlorine compound and a N-acylammonia.
Solubility In water, 90,000 mg/L at 25 °C
Formula
C2H4ClNO
Mol. Weight
93.51
CAS #
79-07-2
Form
Liquid
State
Colorless to pale yellow crystals; [HSDB]
See origin →
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preserves Formula
Fights Bacteria
Reduces Inflammation
Prevents microbial growth
Traditional Use
A synthetic halogenated compound developed in the 20th century as a preservative and antimicrobial agent. Used in cosmetics to prevent microbial contamination and extend product shelf life.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
—
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.3%
0%0%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.3%. Contains chloroacetamide Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 41.
Regulatory Agencies
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine and 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Acetamide MEA
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Chloroacetamide
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Acetamide MEA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Chloroacetamide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Acetamide MEA
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Allergic contact dermatitis from 2-chloro-p-phenylenediamine in a cream dye for eyelashes and eyebrows.
Hansson C, Thorneby-Andersson K
Contact dermatitis, 2001
2-(4-Allyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)-N,N-diethylacetamide and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Chloroacetamide
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
N-5-Chlorobenzoxazol-2-ylacetamide and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Chloroacetamide derivatives as a promising topical treatment for fungal skin infections.
Machado GDRM, Fernandes de Andrade S, Pippi B, Bergamo VZ, Jacobus Berlitz S et al.
Mycologia, 2019
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR