murphyLaurtrimonium Bromide
AKA: Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, 1119-94-4, Dctab, DTAB, LTAB, Lauryltrimethylammonium bromide, Morpan D, 1-Dodecanaminium, DTAB (surfactant)
Synthetic
Preservative
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
OriginDerived from coconut or palm-based fatty alcohols and quaternary ammonium chemistry. Synthesized through quaternization of dimethylamine with a long-chain alkyl halide.
Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide
Formula
C15H34BrN
Mol. Weight
308.34
CAS #
1119-94-4
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
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.
Conditions Hair
Preserves Formula
Softens and detangles hair
Prevents microbial growth
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Skin Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating (CIR 572)
Eye Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating / reactions mild to severe (CIR 572)
Dermal Absorption 0.1–0.6%
2 animal studies in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 572)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.1%
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · report published 2012
EU regulatory limit: 0.1%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 44.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR