murphyCetrimonium Chloride
AKA: 112-02-7, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, N-Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, Dehyquart A, Genamin CTAC, Aliquat 6, Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, CETAC, HTAC
Synthetic
Preservative
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Not Clean
OriginDerived from coconut or palm oil fatty alcohols and dimethyl amine, belonging to the quaternary ammonium compound family. Synthesized through quaternization of dimethylaminopropylamine with long-chain fatty alcohol chlorides.
1-Hexadecanaminium, N,N,N-trimethyl-, chloride
Solubility Water solubility: 440 mg/l at 30 °C
Formula
C19H42ClN
Mol. Weight
320.00
CAS #
112-02-7
Form
Powder
State
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride appears as colorless to pale yellow liquid with an odor of rubbing alcohol. Floats or sinks in water. (USCG, 1999)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
6
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
7 studies / 7 not sensitizing (CIR 570 and 572)
Eye Irritant in Testing
4 studies / 4 irritating / reactions mild to severe (CIR 570 and 572)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
14 studies / 12 irritating / 2 mixed / reactions slight to corrosive (CIR 570 and 572)
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR