Quaternium-15 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions as an antimicrobial preservative, helping protect water-based formulas from bacterial, yeast, and mold growth.
What does Quaternium-15 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions as an antimicrobial preservative, helping protect water-based formulas from bacterial, yeast, and mold growth.
Is Quaternium-15 clean?
It has high clean-standard friction because it is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative associated with contact allergy and sensitization. Many clean-retail and brand restricted lists do not allow it.
Is Quaternium-15 sustainable?
This material is synthetic and not a renewable-forward ingredient. Its quaternary ammonium structure and preservative activity create environmental scrutiny, especially around aquatic compatibility and biodegradation profile.
Is Quaternium-15 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. From a Green Chemistry view, it scores poorly because it is synthetic, formaldehyde-releasing, and not aligned with preferred biodegradability or low-concern design principles.
How does Quaternium-15 work chemically?
The molecule is a chlorinated cationic quaternary ammonium salt that preserves by slowly releasing formaldehyde in aqueous formulas. Historical cosmetic use was typically up to about 0.2%, with performance depending on water activity, pH, temperature, and compatibility with anionic ingredients.
Last updated 2026-05-13