Is Quaternium-18 safe in cosmetics?
Quaternium-18 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Cosmetic Ingredient
Quaternium-18
INCI: QUATERNIUM-18
Quaternium-18 (CAS 61789-80-8 [^1_10]) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Antistatic agent; also used as emulsifier and hair conditioning agent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 61789-80-8 [^1_10] →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Antistatic agent; also used as emulsifier and hair conditioning agent [^1_10][^1_2]
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; CIR reviewed — safe as used (1982, reaffirmed 2003 and 2020) [^1_11][^1_12]
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Quaternium-18.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Additional Ingredient Properties
5 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.28-0.42", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "electrostatic_steric", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cetearyl_alcohol", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "10-28", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "72-90", "electrolyte_tolerance": "very_low", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "3.0-8.0", "viscosity_building_contribution": "moder…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "conditioning", "hair_type_suitability": "medium/coarse", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "medium/high", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe"…
hair_conditioning
{"cas_number": "61789-80-8", "ingredient_class": "cationic_conditioner", "chemical_type": "quaternary_ammonium", "charge_density_meq_g": "high", "substantivity_to_hair": "excellent", "deposition_from_shampoo": "no", "deposition_from_conditioner": "yes", "conditioning_mechanism": "electrostatic", "hair_penetration": "cuticle", "molecular_weight_effect_on_penetration": "variable_chain", "wet_combing…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "caution", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "yes", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "yes", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "minimal", "immature_skin_barrier_risk": "low", "oral_ingestion_risk": "low", "eye_irritation_risk": "low", "diaper_are…
sensory
{"silky": "waxy", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, conditioning", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "soft, manageable", "instant": "moderate", "low": "medium", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "moderate", "no": "no", "yes": "no", "1.40": "1.45", "transparent": "opaque", "colorless": "white", "excellent": "fair", "light": "medium", "synthetic": "synthetic"}
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Quaternium-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quaternium-18 allowed in the EU?
Quaternium-18 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Quaternium-18 do in cosmetics?
Quaternium-18 functions as: Antistatic agent; also used as emulsifier and hair conditioning agent [^1_10][^1_2]. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 61789-80-8 [^1_10].
Compliance Tools
Check Quaternium-18 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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