Phisoderm is a skin detergent which assists persons who are allergic to soap and Phisohex, a detergent[1] and sudsless cleanser[2] which prevents the spread of infections. In the 1950s, both Phisoderm and Phisohex were manufactured by Winthrop Laboratories. Earlier, the product was made by Fairchild Brothers & Foster. Phisoderm was developed by B. Thurber Guild (1886–1958), a physician and pharmaceutical manufacturer. Guild practiced medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, and was a specialist in allergies.[1] The brand is currently owned by Mentholatum.

Withdrawal from sale and reinstatement

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Both Phisoderm and Phisohex were removed by drugstores and retail outlet stores when the Food and Drug Administration halted the production and distribution of products containing more than 1% of hexachlorophene, in September 1972.[2]

Phisoderm continued to be produced by Winthrop Laboratories, a division of Sterling Drug, in 1980. An over-the-counter drug, its advertising was carried out by Warren Muller Dulubowsky.[3]

By April 1989, Sterling Drug was owned by Eastman Kodak. Three Sterling brands, Haley's M-O, Philips' Milk of Magnesia, and Phisoderm, were being advertised by N.W. Ayer.[4]

In 1991, the Phisoderm account was picked up by Ammirati & Puris of New York City.[5] When Bayer bought Sterling in 1994, Chattem acquired the Phisoderm brand.

In 2005, it was sold to The Mentholatum Company.

In the current formulation, as of 2023, the anti-acne active ingredient[6] is 2% salicylic acid.

References

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  1. ^ a b Dr. B. Thurber Guild, Allergist, Was 72, The New York Times, June 17, 1958, pg. 29.
  2. ^ a b "Germicide Limit Stirs Confusion", The New York Times, September 24, 1972, pg. 53.
  3. ^ "A Sterling Drug Account May Be Up For Grabs", The New York Times, April 14, 1980, pg. D7.
  4. ^ "Advertising, Moves By Sterling", The New York Times, November 8, 1989, pg. D25.
  5. ^ "Advertising", The New York Times, June 25, 1991, pg. D21.
  6. ^ "Our Unique Ingredients - Phisoderm Clean". Retrieved 31 December 2023.