Aqua Ear 35ml
$25.56
Phisohex 1%
Miscellaneous
$37.80
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WEB-PHISO
Phisohex is an antibacterial skin cleanser containing triclosan 1% w/v (10mg/mL). It removes the bacteria and surface oil involved in acne and pimples while maintaining the skin normal pH, and it is formulated to do that without the tight, stripped feeling that ordinary soap leaves behind. It is a wash rather than a leave-on treatment, and it is still available in Australia.
Is Phisohex still available in Australia?
Yes. This is the question people most often arrive with, and the confusion is understandable, so it is worth answering properly.
The original American formulation was a different product. It used hexachlorophene, and it was restricted in the United States in the 1970s after serious safety concerns, then discontinued there entirely. That history follows the name around and leads people to assume the whole brand disappeared.
The Phisohex sold in Australia today is a triclosan 1% cleanser, not a hexachlorophene one. It is a different active ingredient at a different concentration, and it remains on sale here. If you used Phisohex years ago and could not find it later, this is almost certainly what happened: the product you remember was reformulated, not simply withdrawn.
How to use Phisohex
Wet the skin, work a small amount into a lather with your fingertips, leave it in contact with the skin for a short time rather than rinsing straight away, then rinse thoroughly with water. Once or twice daily is typical. Keep it away from the eyes, and rinse well if it gets near them.
It is a cleanser, so it does the mechanical part of an acne routine rather than the treatment part. People generally pair it with a targeted treatment such as an azelaic acid lotion and a light moisturiser, since washing alone rarely settles inflammatory acne. Over-washing is counterproductive: it irritates the skin barrier and can make breakouts worse.
Specifications
| Active | Triclosan 1% w/v (10mg/mL) |
| Type | Antibacterial skin cleanser (wash off) |
| Used for | Acne-prone and oily skin, bacterial skin cleansing |
| pH | Formulated to maintain the skin normal pH |
| Application | Once or twice daily, lather and rinse |
| Prescription | Not required |
About triclosan: triclosan is a contested ingredient. In 2016 the United States FDA ruled it out of over-the-counter consumer antiseptic washes on the grounds that manufacturers had not shown it was better than plain soap and water for everyday use. It remains permitted in Australia in products like this one. That is a genuine regulatory difference rather than a settled safety verdict, and if you would rather avoid it, your pharmacist can point you at a non-triclosan cleanser.
Phisohex FAQs
What happened to Phisohex?
The original hexachlorophene formulation was restricted in the United States in the 1970s after safety concerns and later discontinued there. The product sold in Australia now is a different formulation built on triclosan 1%, and it is still available. The brand did not vanish, it changed active ingredient.
Can you still buy Phisohex in Australia?
Yes, it is on sale here as a triclosan 1% antibacterial cleanser and no prescription is needed. Supply has been intermittent at various points, which is another reason people assume it has gone for good.
How do you use Phisohex on the face?
Wet the skin, lather a small amount with your fingertips, leave it briefly in contact with the skin, then rinse thoroughly. Once or twice a day is enough. Washing more often than that irritates the barrier and tends to make acne worse rather than better, which is the most common mistake with any antibacterial cleanser.
Can Phisohex be used on the body?
It is used on the body as well as the face, including for back and chest breakouts where the same bacteria are involved. Rinse thoroughly, avoid broken skin, and stop if the skin becomes dry, tight or irritated.
Does Phisohex work for acne?
It reduces surface bacteria and oil, which helps, but a cleanser alone will not clear inflammatory acne. It works best as the washing step alongside an actual treatment, and it is not a substitute for one. If acne is persistent, scarring or causing distress, a GP or pharmacist can offer far more than a wash can.
Is Phisohex drying?
It is formulated to clean without stripping the skin and to maintain its normal pH, which is the point of difference from ordinary soap. Some people still find any antibacterial wash drying, particularly in winter or with twice-daily use. If that happens, drop to once daily and follow with a light fragrance-free moisturiser.
Always read the label and use only as directed. For external use only - avoid contact with the eyes. If irritation occurs or your skin does not improve, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. This information is a general guide and not medical advice. For poisoning advice in Australia, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
| Brand | Phisohex |
|---|
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