Ceteartrimonium Chloride
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Cetearyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Quaternary Ammonium Compound
Plant-Derived
Preservative
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Quaternary ammonium compounds, C16-18-alkyltrimethyl, chlorides
CAS #
68002-62-0
Form
Liquid
Functions
Antistatic
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Reduces Static
Conditions Hair
Preserves Formula
Reduces flyaways
Softens and detangles hair
Prevents microbial growth
Traditional Use
A synthetic cationic conditioning agent developed in the mid-20th century by modifying cetyl and stearyl alcohols with a quaternary ammonium salt. Created to provide antistatic and conditioning properties in hair and skincare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR