Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds:

used as a preservative, surfactant, and germicides in cosmetics. All quaternary compounds can be toxic, depending on concentration and dose. They originated as fabric softeners and can make the skin and hair feel soft but over time with zap moisture from the skin cells.

Hazard: 6 can depend on the ingredient

Ingredients:

- Benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and quaternium 1-29

Product Types:

- Conditioners, facial moisturizers, detanglers, baby shampoos, body wash

Health Concerns:

- Known human immune system toxicant

- Can irritate the skin and eyes

- Contamination concern with formaldehyde a known carcinogen

Environmental Concerns:

- Found in river water

These ingredients have health concerns linked to them, but most of them have very little data about them. There hasn't been a lot of studies done on these ingredient much like the rest of the field. Most of these ingredients are caustic and can irritate the skin and eyes. These compounds can make things feel softer immediately, but long repeated use can zap moisture from the skin cells, leaving hair and skin feeling dry and flaky. Watch out for benzalkonium chloride, it is the most toxic. Because of the high level of toxicity, the FDA proposed banning the use of it in over the counter insect remedies and astringent drugs in 1992.

BTrue Naturals is promoting products for clean living. We have sought out to bring you companies that focus on using natural ingredients, create higher standards for our company, help educate people on safe and effective products, find companies who are environmentally aware. All the products we carry at BTrue Naturals are free of quaternary ammonium compounds along with many other toxic chemicals. The products we carry have no artificial colors, no artificial fragrances, no parabens, no phthalates, no propylene glycol, no SLS/SLES, no animal testing.

A few products of interest might be that have no quaternary ammonium compounds are:

Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner

John Maters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler

Earth Science Almond-Aloe Facial Moisturizer Fragrance Free

Lafe's Natural and Organic Baby Shampoo & Gentle Wash