Beauty ingredient · Conditioning agent
Cetrimonium chloride
A quaternary ammonium conditioner used in hair conditioners.
- Quaternary ammonium compound
- Expert review pending
Concern level
A minor or very limited concern, such as being an ultra-processing marker only. The concern level sets how many points cetrimonium chloride costs on a product’s receipt.
What the evidence says
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Antimicrobial resistance (emerging)Emerging evidence
A 2023 review describes quaternary ammonium compounds as a class of emerging concern. [1]
Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.
Rules around the world
| Where | Status | Details | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | Restricted | Alkyl (C12-22) trimethyl ammonium chlorides and bromides allowed with limits (Annex V, entry 44 and Annex III). | — | [2] |
“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there. We use each regulator’s own words.
Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (6)
- cetrimonium bromide
- cetrimonium chloride
- laurtrimonium chloride
- steartrimonium chloride
- cetrimonium methosulfate
- cetyltrimethylammonium chloride
Sources
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Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern
“Suspected or known adverse health outcomes include dermal and respiratory effects, developmental and reproductive toxicity, disruption of metabolic function such as lipid homeostasis, and impairment of mitochondrial function.”
doi.org
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Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products
“cosmetic products shall not contain any of the following: (a) prohibited substances — prohibited substances listed in Annex II”
eur-lex.europa.eu