Quaternium-91

Quaternium-91 molecular structure

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Quaternium 91?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Quaternium 91 use with caution 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 (infants, babies), Quaternium-91 is not well studied. Some laboratory and animal studies on related compounds show possible effects on nerves and hormones, so we take a cautious approach. It is not a commonly reported skin irritant, but data are limited.

What to Do

If your baby’s product lists Quaternium-91, try to: use it only occasionally rather than every day; avoid applying near the face, mouth, or eyes; choose baby products with simpler ingredient lists when possible; and stop use if you see any rash or irritation. For frequent or full-body products (like lotions used daily), prefer formulations made especially for infants that do not contain this ingredient.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, rash, itchiness, swelling, or any change in behavior after applying a product with this ingredient. The caution comes from scientific studies including animal studies showing reduced fertility in mice (for example, studies titled “Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants Cause Subfertility in Mice…” and “Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice”) and lab studies that found effects on nerve cells (for example, studies like “Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Induce Apoptosis…in a 3-D in Vitro Model of Neurodevelopment”) and studies suggesting interference with cholesterol/hormone pathways. If you have concerns, discuss with your pediatrician before regular use.

Confidence: LOW

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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

Can older babies safely use Quaternium-91?

Use caution with Quaternium-91 for 6-12 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the fertility risks of Quaternium-91 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 organ risk risks of Quaternium-91 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 products contain Quaternium-91?

Quaternium-91 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 Quaternium-91?

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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