OriginDerived from fatty alcohols and stearic acid, typically sourced from vegetable oils like coconut or palm. Synthesized through quaternization of stearyl alcohol with dimethylamine and chlorine compounds.
Benzyldimethyl(octadecyl)ammonium chloride
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C27H50ClN
Mol. Weight
424.10
CAS #
122-19-0
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
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.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Reduces Static
Preserves Formula
Cleansing Surfactant
Reduces Inflammation
Wound Healing
Lifts away dirt and oil
Reduces flyaways
Prevents microbial growth
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
7
CIR
Safe as used · CIR tentative re-review report (2026)
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing (CIR 240)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
7 studies / 6 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions slight to severe (CIR 240 and 879)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
6 studies / 3 irritating / 3 not irritating / reactions mild (CIR 240 and 879)
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