Polyquaternium-10

Polyquaternium-10 molecular structure

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Polyquaternium 10?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyquaternium 10 is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies when used in topical products. Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

ℹ️General Overview

For babies 6–12 months old, this ingredient is generally considered low risk, but direct safety testing in infants is limited. Because related chemicals have shown possible effects in animal and lab studies, we stay cautious for babies and keep the safety score low but not zero.

What to Do

If you use a product that lists Polyquaternium-10 on a 6–12 month old baby: choose baby-formulated products, use small amounts, avoid applying to broken skin or near the eyes and mouth, do a small patch test on one area of skin and wait 24–48 hours to watch for redness or rash, and limit frequency until you know the baby tolerates it.

⚠️Warnings

Stop use and talk with your child's pediatrician if you see redness, swelling, rash, blisters, or any change in behavior after use. The caution comes from industry reviewers and government assessments (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and Environment Canada), chemical agency reports (European Chemicals Agency), and a few animal and lab studies (2014, 2015, 2016, 2021) that showed low-level concerns for related quaternary ammonium compounds. Also note some product-certification programs restrict this ingredient unless manufacturers provide safety information.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: Some safety reviews and recent toxicology reports flag possible harm to non-reproductive organs after repeated exposure. A government assessment lists mixed findings (some data say low risk, other studies show altered toxicological endpoints in people exposed to similar quaternary ammonium compounds), so there is a real but uncertain risk to organs like the liver or kidneys with repeated use.
Fertility: Animal studies on related quaternary ammonium compounds showed reduced fertility and effects on male and female reproductive processes at moderate doses. Because similar chemistry is present here, there is a real risk to future fertility based on those animal findings.
Environmental: Government environmental agencies note uncertain but possible toxicity to the environment and limited evidence of harm in ecotoxicology reviews. This ingredient may pose environmental risks until more data are available.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyquaternium-10

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyquaternium10polyquaternium-10poliquaternium-10polyquaternium 10CHLORIDE CELLULOSE, 2-[2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPOXY]ETHYL ETHERCHLORIDE CELLULOSE, 2-HYDROXYETHYL 2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHERCHLORIDE CELLULOSE, 2-HYDROXYETHYL 23-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHER2-[2-HYDROXY-3-TRIMETHYLAMMONO)PROPOXY] ETHYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSE2-HYDROXYETHYL 23-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSE2-HYDROXYETHYL 2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSE2-[2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPOXY]ETHYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSEPOLYQAUTERNIUM-10CELLULOSE, ETHER WITH .ALPHA.-[2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL]-.OMEGA.-HYDROXYPOLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) CHLORIDECELLULOSE, ETHER WITH [2HYDROXY3(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL] HYDROXYPOLY(OXY1,2ETHANEDIYL) CHLORIDEPOLYQUATERNIUM-10

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

Products Containing Polyquaternium-10

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polyquaternium-10 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polyquaternium-10

Can older babies safely use Polyquaternium-10?

Yes, Polyquaternium-10 is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Polyquaternium-10 for older babies?

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 Polyquaternium-10 for older babies?

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 environmental risks of Polyquaternium-10 for older babies?

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

What products contain Polyquaternium-10?

Polyquaternium-10 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

Is this appropriate for older babies to using products with Polyquaternium-10?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 6-12 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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