Name

Cetrimonium Bromide

We recommend avoiding

Description

Cetrimonium bromide is an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt. It is used as an antiseptic, conditioning agent, anti-static agent, and preservative.

Benefits

Keeps products from growing bacteria, softens hair, and kills bacteria. Interestingly, cetrimonium bromide is being studied for its potential as a cancer drug and has been found to support the liver in breaking down and metabolizing fats. This may be due to its cytotoxic activity. (However, it is a hazardous substance that has not been fully tested for medicinal safety. Do not ingest.)

Considerations

• Quaternary Ammonium Compound Cetrimonium bromide is considered a quaternary ammonium compound, a class of chemicals linked to mitochondrial damage and endocrine disruption. There is limited reproductive toxicity data available for this ingredient. It has not been tested for endocrine disruption in humans. EWG Skin Deep Database states Associated with endocrine disruption and One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses but does not cite their data sources. • Eye Irritation Caused irreversible eye damage at a 25% concentration in lab tests. Common usage rates are considerably lower (typically .001% – 4%), although it may cause eye irritation in some circumstances. • Developmental Toxin Caused embryo effects when fed at high doses to lab rats. • Organ Damage Prolonged or repeated exposure to high amounts may result in organ damage. • Respiratory Irritation Aerosolized products containing cetrimonium bromide may induce respiratory irritation. • Toxic to Aquatic Life Considered an environmental toxin with long-lasting effects. • Intestinal Effects Animal studies have found cetrimonium bromide to exhibit some disruption and mitochondrial damage in the gut.

Synonyms

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide CTAB Bromat CETAB Centimide Ctmab Cee dee Acetoquat CTAB Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide Trimethylcetylammonium bromide Lissolamine Cetaflon Cetarol Pollacid Quamonium Micol Cetrimide bp Cetavlon bromide Lissolamine A Lissolamin V Cycloton V Cirrasol OD Softex KW N-Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide Cetrimonii bromidum Cetavlon Lauroseptol Suticide Mical

Research Sources

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5974 https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/115_draft_trimon.pdf https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/717624-CETRIMONIUM_BROMIDE/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33560918/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19654225/ https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp1404 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260154/

Summary

Quaternary Ammonium Compound