Quaternium-91

Quaternium-91 molecular structure

5+ year old children • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Quaternium 91?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Quaternium 91 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For school-age children (5 years and up) this ingredient is usually low concern when it’s washed off (like in shampoos or conditioners). Some lab and animal studies showed possible effects on nerves and hormones at higher exposures, so we watch it more closely for regular leave-on use.

✅What to Do

Choose rinse-off products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) rather than leave-on creams or lotions that list Quaternium-91. If you try a leave-on product, do a small patch test on the child’s inner arm first and use it only sparingly. Stop use and talk to your child’s doctor if you see redness, rash, swelling, eye irritation, or any unusual symptoms.

⚠️Warnings

Scientific lab tests and animal studies have reported effects on nerve cells, hormone-related processes, and fertility at higher doses — these are the sources of caution. For that reason, avoid frequent long-term leave-on use on children, keep products out of reach of younger children, and avoid getting the product in the eyes or mouth. If a child is pregnant (teen) or has a health condition, check with a pediatrician before regular use.

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

Is this kid-friendly to use Quaternium-91?

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

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

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues.

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

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What products contain Quaternium-91?

Quaternium-91 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Quaternium-91?

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

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