Hexamidine Diisethionate

Functions
Preservative
Anti-dandruff
CAS Number(s)
659-40-5
EINECS number(s)
211-533-5

Hexamidine Diisethionate is a water-soluble antimicrobial cationic polyvalent preservative with a wide spectrum of protection against bacteria, fungi, and yeasts.

Hexamidine Diisethionate has significant microbiostatic and/or microbicidal action against:

  • Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Bacillus
  • Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia, Proteus, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Serratia
  • Gram-negative bacteria, oxidase-positive: Pseudomonas
  • Fungi: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Actinomyces, Geotrichum, Trichophyton, Hormodendron
  • Yeasts: Candida, Pityrosporum.

The antimicrobial effects of Hexamidine Diisethionate vary according to the:

  • the concentration and duration of contact with the anti-microbial agent
  • the number of micro-organisms
  • the nature and virulence of the germs
  • the properties and characteristics of the formula

Hexamidine Diisethionate can serve as an antiseptic at a concentration of 0.10% in topical preparations to eliminate harmful micro-organisms on the skin's surface. It is also useful against acne for oily skin, in the management of pityrosporoses in the seborrheic state, and in scalp dandruff. In addition, it is a perfect ingredient for antiperspirant and deodorant formulations.
Synonyms
Elestab™ HP 100
F.A.Q.

It Hexamidine diisethionate effective against dandruff?

Hexamidine diisethionate is a poly-valent preservative with a particularly broad anti-microbial spectrum against bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Two special properties led to testing its anti-dandruff efficacy in a clinical study: its cationic character, guaranteeing a good substantivity to hair and scalp, and its efficacy against Malassezia furfur, a fungus considered to be the most common cause of dandruff.

A clinical study was carried out on 32 volunteers, using a shampoo containing 0.1% Hexamidine diisethionate every day for 4 weeks, against a placebo and positive control (zinc pyrithione at 1 %). Evaluations by the users have shown that:

  • The anti-dandruff effect is visible after 1 week and increases during the 4 weeks of treatment.
  • The obtained efficacy is at least as good as the positive control, and the effect is maintained 2 weeks after ending the treatment for more than 70% of the persons, better than zinc pyrithione.
  • The tested shampoo was overall appreciated by more than 70% of the volunteers for its efficacy to improve the state of the scalp: diminishing dandruff, reducing itching, and delaying the time it takes to get greasy again. Quite impressive for a rinse-off product!