Hexamidine diisethionate

Hexamidine diisethionate (CAS 659-40-5), also sold as hexamidine isethionate, is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial active used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations.

Where is Hexamidine diisethionate used?

• Cosmetics: preservative in rinse-off and leave-on products including shampoos and facial cleansers
• Personal care: paraben-free alternative in moisturizers
• Topical pharmaceuticals: primary antimicrobial active in antiseptic creams and eye drops at low effective concentrations
• Contact lens care: activity against Acanthamoeba
• Wound care and skin antiseptics: water-soluble, low-irritation biocide
• It targets bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

Good to know: Its activity against Acanthamoeba addresses a risk often not covered by many standard preservatives used in ophthalmic applications.

Commercial specifications

• Pharmaceutical grade subject to purity requirements aligned with pharmacopoeial standards such as Ph. Eur., BP, and EP
• Packaging in kilogram quantities for development-scale procurement and larger bulk formats for commercial production