Colgate Total Antibacterial 12 Hour Protection product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Colgate Total Antibacterial 12 Hour Protection Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Colgate

Colgate's Colgate Total Antibacterial 12 Hour Protection is reviewed here as a oral care. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

The ingredient review below focuses especially on Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Flavor, Sodium Saccharin.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The composition includes cetylpyridinium chloride as an antibacterial agent and potassium sorbate as a preservative. However, sodium saccharin and artificial color Blue 1 raise quality concerns.

Main concern

Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener that may raise concerns about synthetic additives.

Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.

Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.

Pros

  • Cetylpyridinium chloride serves as an antibacterial agent, contributing to oral hygiene.
  • Potassium sorbate is an effective preservative that helps maintain product stability.

Concerns

  • Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener that may raise concerns about synthetic additives.
  • Blue 1 is an artificial colorant, which can indicate a highly processed formulation.

Ingredients breakdown

Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this oral care, not just listed as a raw label.

  • Is Cetylpyridinium Chloride safe in this oral care?

    Bad

    Cetylpyridinium Chloride is used here as antimicrobial. Cetylpyridinium chloride is a synthetic antimicrobial agent used for its antibacterial properties in this oral care product. Its synthetic nature raises quality concerns.

    Role in formula: antimicrobial

    Original: cetylpyridinium chloride

    Read the full ingredient profile for Cetylpyridinium Chloride

  • Is Water safe in this oral care?

    Good

    Water is used here as base. Water acts as a solvent in this formulation, providing a medium for other ingredients to dissolve and function effectively. It is a safe and essential component.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: water

    Read the full ingredient profile for Water

  • Is Glycerin safe in this oral care?

    Good

    Glycerin is used here as solvent. Glycerin is a natural humectant that helps retain moisture in the mouth, enhancing the product's texture and usability without raising significant safety concerns.

    Role in formula: solvent

    Original: glycerin

    Read the full ingredient profile for Glycerin

  • Is Propylene Glycol safe in this oral care?

    Medium

    Propylene Glycol is used here as solvent. Propylene glycol is a synthetic compound used as a solvent and humectant. While generally recognized as safe, it raises some concerns about synthetic additives.

    Role in formula: solvent

    Original: propylene glycol

    Read the full ingredient profile for Propylene Glycol

  • Is Sorbitol safe in this oral care?

    Medium

    Sorbitol is used here as sweetener. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant. It is less concerning than artificial sweeteners but still raises some quality questions.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: sorbitol

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sorbitol

  • Is Poloxamer 407 safe in this oral care?

    Medium

    Poloxamer 407 is used here as emulsifier. Poloxamer 407 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps stabilize the formulation. Its synthetic nature may raise concerns about the overall quality of the product.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: poloxamer 407

    Read the full ingredient profile for Poloxamer 407

  • Is Flavor safe in this oral care?

    Bad

    Flavor is used here as flavor. The term 'flavor' typically refers to artificial flavoring agents, which can be synthetic and raise concerns about quality and safety in oral care products.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: flavor

    Read the full ingredient profile for Flavor

  • Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this oral care?

    Medium

    Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a widely used preservative that helps prevent microbial growth. While effective, it is a synthetic additive that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: preservative

    Original: potassium sorbate

    Read the full ingredient profile for Potassium Sorbate

  • Is Citric Acid safe in this oral care?

    Good

    Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural acid used to adjust pH and enhance flavor. It is generally safe and contributes positively to the product's quality.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: citric acid

    Read the full ingredient profile for Citric Acid

  • Is Sodium Saccharin safe in this oral care?

    Bad

    Sodium Saccharin is used here as sweetener. Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener that raises concerns due to its synthetic nature and potential health implications associated with long-term use.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: sodium saccharin

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Saccharin

  • Is Blue 1 safe in this oral care?

    Bad

    Blue 1 is used here as colorant. Blue 1 is an artificial colorant that can indicate a highly processed formulation. Its synthetic nature raises quality and safety concerns.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: blue 1

    Read the full ingredient profile for Blue 1

How we score

Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.

Product info

Product ID: 4268266

More from this brand: Colgate products in Zerotox

Similar products: oral_care in Zerotox database

Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.

Frequently asked questions

Browse oral care products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
Colgate — Colgate Total Antibacterial 12 Hour Protection has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More Colgate products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Colgate — Colgate Total Antibacterial 12 Hour Protection has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
Colgate — Colgate Total Antibacterial 12 Hour Protection has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among oral care products. See the full breakdown above.
Our analysis notes: Cetylpyridinium chloride serves as an antibacterial agent, contributing to oral hygiene.; Potassium sorbate is an effective preservative that helps maintain product stability.. See the Pros section above.
This product is flagged for: Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener that may raise concerns about synthetic additives.; Blue 1 is an artificial colorant, which can indicate a highly processed formulation.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
Browse Colgate products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.
The composition includes cetylpyridinium chloride as an antibacterial agent and potassium sorbate as a preservative. However, sodium saccharin and artificial color Blue 1 raise quality concerns. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Zerotox scores this oral care product 60 / 100. Check the Ingredients section above. Oral care topic has more options. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.