Quaternium-18

INCI: QUATERNIUM-18

CAS Number
61789-80-8 [^1_10]
Function
Antistatic agent; also used as emulsifier and hair conditioning agent [^1_10][^1_2]
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted; CIR reviewed โ€” safe as used (1982, reaffirmed 2003 and 2020) [^1_11][^1_12]

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Environmental toxicity and poor biodegradability noted; not allowed in certified organic cosmetics [^1_10]. Oral LD50 in rats: 6.35โ€“10 g/kg (low acute toxicity) [^1_2].

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quaternium-18 safe in cosmetics?

Environmental toxicity and poor biodegradability noted; not allowed in certified organic cosmetics [^1_10]. Oral LD50 in rats: 6.35โ€“10 g/kg (low acute toxicity) [^1_2]. The EU classifies Quaternium-18 as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

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].

What is the Margin of Safety for Quaternium-18?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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