CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE

Antistatic Agent; Cosmetic Biocide; Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent; ANTIMICROBIAL; PRESERVATIVE

SCORE

	3	moderate hazard
	71%	data gap
(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

CETYL TRIMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE; 1-HEXADECANAMINIUM, N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-, CHLORIDE; HEXADECYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE; N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-1-HEXADECANAMINIUM CHLORIDE; CHLORIDE 1-HEXADECANAMINIUM, N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-; N,N,N-TRIMETHYL- CHLORIDE 1-HEXADECANAMINIUM; 1HEXADECANAMINIUM, N,N,NTRIMETHYL, CHLORIDE; ADOGEN 444; ARQUAD 16; ARQUAD 16-25W; ARQUAD 16-29

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Violations, restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Contamination concerns
	Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology
	See products containing CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE

About CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE: Cetrimonium Chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt that conforms generally to the formula:

CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE has reported used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (419); conditioner (298); styling gel/lotion (48); shampoo (41); styling mousse/foam (14); hair spray (12); detangler (10); facial moisturizer/treatment (6); liquid hand soap (5); facial cleanser (5)

Allergies/immunotoxicity

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Cancer

type of concern	product conditions	reference
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro 1990

Violations, restrictions & warnings

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications		Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern

product conditions

reference

One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)

RTECS^®- National Technical Information Service 3823

Ecotoxicology

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Suspected to be an environmental toxin		Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

type of concern	product conditions	reference
364 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->		PubMed

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern

product conditions

reference

Not suspected to be persistent

Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study	appears on list as	classification(s)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE	•Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications •Distinction between safe conc in leave-on and rinse-off products •Sensitizer - can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin •
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List	1-HEXADECANAMINIUM, N,N,N-TRIMETHYL-, CHLORIDE	•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected aquatic toxicity.
RTECS^®- National Technical Information Service 3823	CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE	• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LDLo)
RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro 1990	CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (hamster lng)
RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro 1990	CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE	• mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (hamster lng)

references

government/industry list/academic study	reference
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List	EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
RTECS^®- National Technical Information Service 3823	RTECS^®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0543823
RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro 1990	RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.1- 4,717,1990
RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro 1990	RTECS^®- Toxicology In Vitro. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.1- 1987- 4,717,1990

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