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Quaternium-18/Benzalkonium Bentonite
AKA “Clay/quaternium salt complex”
Ingredient
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Ingredient Facts
Quaternium-18/benzalkonium bentonite
AKA: Clay/quaternium salt complex
Ingredient · Viscosity Controlling · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Clay
Not Clean
Quaternary ammonium compounds, bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)dimethyl, compounds with bentonite and C8-C18-alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Viscosity Controlling
Controls Viscosity
Traditional Use
A modern composite preservative and conditioning ingredient combining multiple synthetic antimicrobial and conditioning agents with bentonite clay. Developed to provide broad-spectrum preservation while improving formula texture.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR