This Chemical is Used in Your Makeup and Cleaning Products, Can it be Safe?

Figure 1. Woman applying makeup
Source: Commons Wikipedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woman_applying_make-up.jpg (accessed February 20, 2018).

Quaternium-15

What is it?

The chemical formula for quaternium-15 is C₉H₁₆Cl₂N₄.⁵ It is a cream coloured powder with a boiling point of 60 ̊ C, and a melting point of 178 – 210 ̊ C.⁵

What is it used for?

Quaternium-15 is used as a preservative and anti-microbial agent in many different products.⁶ This compound can be used to resist the growth of bacteria, fungi, and molds.⁴ Due to these properties, quaternium-15 is used in a variety of different products. It is found in many shampoo, moisturizing creams and lotions, cosmetics, and cleaners. However, it is also found in products such as cleansers, disinfectants, gloves, and food packaging.⁴

Due to the products this compound is in, hair stylists, janitors, and housekeepers tend to be exposed to quaternium-15 at a larger amount.⁴

What are the health effects?

Quaternium-15 is a formaldehyde releasing product, which make it an effective anti-microbial.⁷ Due to the release of formaldehyde, quaternium-15 is a carcinogen, meaning that is can lead to the development of cancer. Other than that, quaternium-15 is known to irritate skin and eyes.³ Ongoing exposure to this compound can also lead to poor overall blood circulation, liver damage, and diarrhea.²

Controversies

In 2013, Johnson & Johnson, which is the parent company of Aveeno, Clean & Clear and multiple other brands, said they were to remove quaternium-15 from nearly all adult toiletries, and baby products, by 2015.¹ This was due to consumer concerns about the ingredients in their products. However, a list of products containing quaternium-15 that was updated September 2017, still lists many Aveeno and J & J products.⁸

What can you do?

Make sure to check the labels of products that you are using. As many chemicals have many different names, it is important to look up synonyms. Be aware of health effects that can be caused by common ingredients, and change your products accordingly.

References

¹ CBS News. Johnson & Johnson to phase out potentially harmful chemicals by 2015. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/johnson-johnson-to-phase-out-potentially-harmful-chemicals-by-2015/ (accessed February 1, 2018).

² Earl Garcia. Quaterium-15 - toxicity, side effects, diseases and environmental impacts. http://www.chemicals.news/2017-11-23-quaternium-15-toxicity-side-effects-diseases-and-environmental-impacts.html (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

³ EWG. Quaternium-15 (Formaldehyde Releaser). https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705478/QUATERNIUM-15_(FORMALDEHYDE_RELEASER)/#.WoES9qinHIU (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

⁴ J. Desiree Douglas. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Topical Preservatives, Part I. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725087_4 (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

⁵ Pubchem. Quaternium-15. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6433396#section=Top (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).

⁶ Revolvy. Quaternium-15. https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Quaternium-15  (accessed february 1, 2018).

⁷ T3DB. Quaternium-15 (T3D3628). http://www.t3db.ca/toxins/T3D3628 . (accessed February 1, 2018).

⁸ U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Quaternium-15. https://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/search?tbl=TblChemicals&queryx=4080-31-3 (accessed Febuary 1, 2018).