Cetrimonium Chloride

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Cetrimonium Chloride?

⚠️
USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cetrimonium Chloride use with caution for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5), this ingredient is commonly used in hair and skin products but can irritate the skin, eyes, or airways in some children and may trigger allergic reactions. Authorities allow it in cosmetics at limited concentrations, but a small number of studies also show possible effects in animal or lab tests at higher exposures.

What to Do

Choose products made for young children when possible. Avoid products that are meant to stay on the skin for a long time (leave-on creams, lotions) if they contain this ingredient. Do a small patch test on the child’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours before using more widely. Rinse well if the product gets into the child’s eyes. Stop use and wash the area if you see redness, rash, swelling or if the child has any breathing trouble. Prefer rinse-off products (like shampoos) with short contact time and mild formulations.

⚠️Warnings

Be especially cautious because: • Human skin allergen reports and skin/respiratory irritation have been noted by safety reviewers (Cosmetic Ingredient Review; Asthmagen compilation). • Limited evidence of eye, skin and respiratory irritation is reported by the European Chemicals Agency. • Some regions place use or concentration limits on this ingredient (for example, the EU Cosmetics Directive). If you see signs of allergy (redness, hives, swelling), or any breathing changes, stop use and contact your child’s healthcare provider right away.

Confidence: HIGH

Are you holding the product?

Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.

Scan the full label for free
Get instant analysis of all ingredients together

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

Safe for preschoolers to use Cetrimonium Chloride?

Use caution with Cetrimonium Chloride for 2-5 year old children. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the banned risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

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

Could weaken or confuse immune system. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the asthma risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the irritant risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

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

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the fertility risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

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

Possible effects on early brain growth and mental development. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the hormones risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

May mess with natural hormone development in babies and children. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

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

Acts like fake hormones in the body, confusing natural signals. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the metabolism risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

May interfere with how the body breaks down food and nutrients. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the environmental risks of Cetrimonium Chloride for preschoolers?

Possible negative effects on the environment Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Cetrimonium Chloride?

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

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with Cetrimonium Chloride?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product