murphyBenzalkonium Chloride
AKA: Pentonium, Alpagelle, Zephiran, Benzalkonii chloridum, Cloruro de benzalconio, Chlorure de benzalkonium, CHEBI:3020, Fundamentals, Greenberry
Synthetic
Preservative
Cleanser
Not Clean
OriginDerived from long-chain fatty amines and alkyl halides through quaternization chemistry. Synthesized by reacting dimethylamine with long-chain alkyl chlorides under controlled conditions.
Benzalkonium Chloride is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides that conforms generally to the formula:
Solubility Very soluble in alcohol, acetone; slightly soluble in benzene; almost insoluble in ether
Formula
C22H40ClN
Mol. Weight
354.00
CAS #
63449-41-2, 68391-01-5, 68424-85-1, 85409-22-9
Form
Liquid
State
White or yellowish-white, amorphous powder or gelatinous pieces; [HSDB]
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Antistatic
Deodorant
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Dispersing
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
6
CIR
Safe as used · CIR tentative re-review report (2026)
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Sensitization Results
8 studies / 2 sensitizing / 6 not sensitizing / plus 7 case reports (CIR 142 and 879)
Phototoxic in Testing
Lab (in vitro) test with a phototoxic or photosensitizing result in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 879)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
9 studies / 4 irritating / 3 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions minimal to severe (CIR 142 and 879)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
28 studies / 18 irritating / 2 mixed / 8 not irritating / reactions strong to corrosive / plus 1 case report (CIR 142 and 879)
Dermal Absorption 0.03–16%
4 results from animal / in vitro tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 879)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.005–0.35%
Rinse-off0.015–0.13%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 3%
CIR reported use · 2025 survey
EU regulatory limit: 3%. Avoid contact with the eyes Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 65.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR