Cetrimonium Chloride

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Cetrimonium Chloride?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 7 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cetrimonium Chloride not recommended for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

For newborns and infants (0–6 months), this ingredient is best avoided when you can. It can irritate delicate baby skin and eyes and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive babies.

What to Do

If you can, choose products labeled for newborns or for sensitive baby skin that do not list Cetrimonium Chloride. If you must use a product that contains it: apply only to hair or body areas away from the face, avoid broken or inflamed skin, use a very small amount, rinse thoroughly, and do a short patch check on a small area first. Prefer products made specifically for infants.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, rash, swelling, watery or irritated eyes, coughing, wheezing or breathing changes after using a product with this ingredient. Stop use and call your pediatrician if you see these signs. These cautions come from safety and regulatory reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review), European chemicals agency findings on irritation, and peer-reviewed studies noting allergy, respiratory, reproductive and nerve-related concerns in higher exposures. The European cosmetics rules also place limits on how this chemical can be used.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: This ingredient is restricted for some uses in cosmetic rules in the European Union and is allowed only at limited concentrations, so some countries limit or control it (EU Cosmetics Directive; Cosmetic Ingredient Review).
Immune system: There is strong evidence this chemical can cause allergic reactions and affect the immune system, including being listed as a human skin toxicant or allergen (Cosmetic Ingredient Review; asthmagen compilation).
Asthma: This substance is listed as an asthmagen and has been linked to respiratory allergies in people exposed at work, so it can make breathing problems worse (asthmagen compilation; peer-reviewed occupational studies).
Irritant: Lab and human data show it can irritate skin, eyes and the lungs in some people, so it may cause redness, stinging, or breathing irritation on contact (European Chemicals Agency; Cosmetic Ingredient Review; peer-reviewed studies).
Organ Risk: Some regulatory reviews and human data flag possible harm to organs after exposure, so repeated or heavy exposure could affect non-reproductive organs (European Chemicals Agency; peer-reviewed toxicology reports).
Fertility: Animal studies show reduced fertility after exposure, so it has been linked to effects on male and female reproductive systems in lab animals (peer-reviewed animal studies on quaternary ammonium compounds).
Brain Development: Lab tests and some human case reports suggest effects on nerve cells and development, so there is concern for effects on early brain growth from exposure (in vitro neurodevelopment studies; European Chemicals Agency case reports).
Hormones: Research shows this chemical can interfere with hormone-related pathways, including cholesterol production that hormones need, so it may disturb normal hormone function (peer-reviewed study identifying inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis).
Confuse Hormones: Because it can act on hormone-related processes in lab studies, it may mimic or block normal hormone signals and confuse the body's messaging (peer-reviewed endocrine disruption research).
Metabolism: Studies found the ingredient can change how the body makes cholesterol, so it may affect basic metabolism pathways (peer-reviewed study on cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition).
Environmental: Government reviews list this compound as suspected to harm the environment, so it may be toxic to wildlife or ecosystems if released (Environment Canada; European Chemicals Agency).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Cetrimonium Chloride

This ingredient may also be listed as:

cetrimonium chlorideAMMONIUM, HEXADECYLTRIMETHYL-, CHLORIDEHEXADECYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE (6CI)HEXADECYLTRIMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDEEC 203-928-6UNII-KB94658IHQ COMPONENT WOWHHFRSBJGXCM-UHFFFAOYSA-M(C14-C18)ALKYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDEDSSTOX_CID_6901C19H42CLNEINECS 268-077-5HEXADECYL(TRIMETHYL)AZANIUM CHLORIDE

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Cetrimonium Chloride

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Cetrimonium Chloride or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Cetrimonium Chloride

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Cetrimonium Chloride safety and effects.

Common Questions About Cetrimonium Chloride

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Cetrimonium Chloride?

Cetrimonium Chloride is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potential safety risks.

What are the banned risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the immune system risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the asthma risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the irritant risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the organ risk risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the fertility risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the brain development risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Possible effects on early brain growth and mental development. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the hormones risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

May mess with natural hormone development in babies and children. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the confuse hormones risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Acts like fake hormones in the body, confusing natural signals. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the metabolism risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

May interfere with how the body breaks down food and nutrients. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the environmental risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for newborns?

Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Cetrimonium Chloride?

Cetrimonium Chloride is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with Cetrimonium Chloride?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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