Quaternium-91

Quaternium-91 molecular structure

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Quaternium 91?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Quaternium 91 is generally considered safe 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 likely low risk when used sometimes in rinse-off or short-contact products. There are some lab and animal findings that suggest caution, so it’s best not to use it a lot or on damaged skin.

What to Do

If a product your child will use contains this ingredient: choose rinse-off items (like shampoos) over leave-on products, avoid using it on broken or irritated skin, do a small patch test on a tiny area first, do not apply near the eyes or mouth, and stop use and see a pediatrician if you notice redness, swelling, or persistent irritation.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, itching, or rash after use. The caution comes from animal and lab studies that showed possible effects on fertility, hormone-related pathways, and nerve cells (see study titles such as “Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants Cause Subfertility in Mice...”, “Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice”, “Identification of Environmental Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Direct Inhibitors of Cholesterol Biosynthesis”, and “Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Induce Apoptosis...”). Because these come from animal and laboratory work rather than large studies in children, we recommend being cautious with frequent or long-contact use in young children.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Fertility: Animal studies in mice (published 2014–2015) found that quaternary ammonium compounds like Quaternium‑91 caused lower fertility and subfertility in both males and females at moderate doses. That means this ingredient has been shown to harm reproductive systems in animal tests and could be a risk with repeated or higher exposures.
Organ Risk: A human study (2021) reported altered toxicological markers after exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants, the same class as Quaternium‑91. This suggests it can affect non‑reproductive organs (for example liver, kidneys, or other systems) with repeated or higher exposures.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Quaternium-91

This ingredient may also be listed as:

quaternium-91QUATERNIUM-91

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

Products Containing Quaternium-91

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Quaternium-91 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Quaternium-91

Safe for preschoolers to use Quaternium-91?

Yes, Quaternium-91 is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the fertility risks of Quaternium-91 for preschoolers?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Quaternium-91 for preschoolers?

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

What products contain Quaternium-91?

Quaternium-91 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 Quaternium-91?

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.

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