Methylbenzethonium Chloride

Methylbenzethonium Chloride 1
AKA: Phemerol
Synthetic
Preservative
Cleanser
Safety Concern
Not Clean
Methylbenzethonium chloride
Formula
C26H40ClNO
Mol. Weight
401.96
CAS #
25155-18-4
Form
Liquid
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
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Fights Bacteria
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative and disinfectant. Designed to replace older preservatives with stronger antimicrobial efficacy.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR