murphyBenzethonium Chloride
AKA: 121-54-0, Hyamine, Phemeride, Phemerol Chloride, Benzethoniumchloride, Quatrachlor, Disilyn, Kylacol, Phemithyn
Synthetic
Preservative
Cleanser
Not Clean
OriginSynthesized from dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound derived from petroleum-based chemical precursors. Produced through quaternization, where dimethylamine reacts with benzyl chloride followed by chlorination to form the final salt structure.
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
Solubility 10 to 50 mg/mL at 64 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C27H42ClNO2
Mol. Weight
448.10
CAS #
121-54-0
Form
Liquid
State
Benzethonium chloride appears as odorless white crystals or powder with a very bitter taste. A 1% solution in water is slightly alkaline to litmus. (NTP, 1992)
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.
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
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing / plus 1 case report (CIR 188)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
5 studies / 3 irritating / 2 not irritating / reactions minimal (CIR 188)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
5 studies / 1 irritating / 1 mixed / 3 not irritating / reactions severe (CIR 188)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.1%
EU regulatory limit: 0.1%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 53.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR