ABSTRACT
The term ‘‘antibacterial agent’’ is largely used to qualify chemical agents, which are included in cosmetics or household products to provide them with either a specific bactericidal or a bacteriostatic activity during usage. The second function of antibacterial chemicals is to protect the product during its life by providing a preservative efficacy against microbial insults. A given chemical agent can be used as an active ingredient in antibacterial product or as a preservative to protect the formula from microbial contamination.
