Quaternium-91

Quaternium-91 molecular structure

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Quaternium 91?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Quaternium 91 is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults, Quaternium-91 (used in hair and skin products as a conditioner) is generally low risk when used as intended. Most people can use products containing it without problems.

What to Do

If you are an adult using everyday shampoos, conditioners or lotions with this ingredient you do not usually need to avoid it. Do a small skin patch test first if you have sensitive skin. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant, consider choosing products without quaternary ammonium compounds or limit use to reduce any possible risk.

⚠️Warnings

Some animal and lab studies cited for similar quaternary ammonium compounds report effects on fertility in mice, hormone-related pathways, and nerve cells (for example: studies reporting decreased fertility in mice and inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis). These findings come from animal or laboratory research rather than typical cosmetic use. Watch for skin irritation or allergic reactions and stop use if you develop redness, itching, or other problems. People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should be more cautious because the cited studies showed reproductive and hormone-related effects in animals and lab tests.

Confidence: HIGH

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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 safe for adults to use Quaternium-91?

Yes, Quaternium-91 is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

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

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues.

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

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 adults using products with Quaternium-91?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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