Is Behentrimonium Chloride safe in cosmetics?
Behentrimonium Chloride has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Behentrimonium Chloride
INCI: BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Behentrimonium Chloride (CAS 17301-53-0) is a cosmetic surfactant functioning as Conditioning agent; antistatic; detangling agent; cationic surfactant. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted, max 0.5–3%. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 17301-53-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Conditioning agent; antistatic; detangling agent; cationic surfactant
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
EU Max Conc.
0.5–3%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR assessed behentrimonium chloride as safe as used. C22 long-chain quat — enhanced substantivity to hair shaft vs shorter-chain quats. Preferred conditioning agent for thick, coarse, and curly hair types. Incompatible with anionic surfactants.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Behentrimonium Chloride.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Behentrimonium Chloride, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
0.1-0.5%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
surface only
Molecular Weight
448.2 Da
Log P
6.8
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.05-0.2%
Safety Margin Factor
minimal
Source: CIR
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (III - Restricted)
Product type: (a) Rinse-off hair products (b) Leave-on hair products (c) Leave-on face products. Max: (a) 5,0% for the individual concentration of behentrimonium chloride or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride, while at the same time respecting the relevant maximum concentration for the sum of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride set out in entry 286. (b) 3,0% for the individual concentration of behentrimonium chloride or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride, while at the same time respecting the relevant maximum concentration for the sum of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride set out in entry 286. (c) 3,0% for the individual concentration of behentrimonium chloride or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride, while at the same time respecting the relevant maximum concentration for the sum of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride set out in entry 286..
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Restricted · max (a) 5,0% for the individual concentration of behentrimonium chloride or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride, while at the same time respecting the relevant maximum concentration for the sum of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride set out in entry 286. (b) 3,0% for the individual concentration of behentrimonium chloride or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride, while at the same time respecting the relevant maximum concentration for the sum of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride set out in entry 286. (c) 3,0% for the individual concentration of behentrimonium chloride or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride, while at the same time respecting the relevant maximum concentration for the sum of cetrimonium chloride and strear
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (2)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN | permitted_preservative | 0.1 | all cosmetics |
| BR | permitted_preservative | 0.1 | - |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditioner | 0.5–3 | 5 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
8 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "448.2", "log_p_value": "6.8", "skin_penetration_level": "surface", "penetration_depth": "surface only", "absorption_pct": "0.1-0.5", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "no", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.05-0.2", "safety_margin_factor": "minimal", "source": "CI…
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "partial", "biodegradation_days": "90-180", "bioaccumulative": "yes", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "high", "coral_reef_safe": "no", "marine_toxicity": "toxic to aquatic life", "freshwater_toxicity": "LC50 fish <1 mg/L", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "yes", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental"…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.20-0.35", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "electrostatic_repulsion", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cetearyl_alcohol,behenyl_alcohol", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "3-10", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "90-97", "electrolyte_tolerance": "very_low", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "3.0-7.0", "viscosity_building_con…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "conditioning", "hair_type_suitability": "medium/coarse", "curl_pattern_suitability": "curly/coily", "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", "col…
hair_conditioning
{"cas_number": "17301-53-0", "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_film_forming", "hair_penetration": "cuticle", "molecular_weight_effect_on_penetration": "long_chain_surfa…
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…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
surfactant
{"cas_number": "17301-53-0", "surfactant_type": "cationic", "chemical_class": "amine_oxide", "charge_at_use_ph": "positive", "cmc_critical_micelle_concentration_mm": "0.02", "foam_volume_ml_ross_miles": "65", "foam_quality": "minimal", "foam_stability_5min_pct": "50", "cleansing_power_rating_1_to_10": "3.5", "oil_emulsification_capacity": "poor", "sebum_removal_efficiency": "fair", "waterproof_mak…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-static agent
Emulsifier
Preservative
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Behentrimonium Chloride.
Regulatory Flags
cationic
quat
long-chain
conditioning
anionic-incompatible
rinse-off
curly-hair
eu_children_restricted
eu_cosing_listed
Chemical Function
Preservative
Anti-static agent
Softener and conditioner
Emulsifier
Regulatory Lists
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care; restricted
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Behentrimonium Chloride allowed in the EU?
Behentrimonium Chloride EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.5–3%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Behentrimonium Chloride do in cosmetics?
Behentrimonium Chloride functions as: Conditioning agent; antistatic; detangling agent; cationic surfactant. It is classified as a Surfactant in our database. CAS number: 17301-53-0.
Compliance Tools
Check Behentrimonium Chloride compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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