Rate My SPF

Benzalkonium Chloride

What Benzalkonium Chloride is & what it does

An antimicrobial and preservative effective against bacteria, also used in antiseptic products. It is effective but can be irritating at higher levels.

Is Benzalkonium Chloride safe?

Benzalkonium Chloride is widely used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in cosmetics and is considered safe at the low concentrations permitted in finished products. It can be irritating to skin and eyes at higher concentrations, so formulas keep it within regulated limits. People with sensitive skin may want to patch test, as it is a known potential irritant for some.

What does Benzalkonium Chloride do in skincare?

Benzalkonium Chloride acts mainly as a preservative and antimicrobial agent, helping protect a product from bacterial and microbial growth. It is a quaternary ammonium compound, so it can also serve as a surfactant or antistatic agent in some formulas. It is typically used at very low levels for these functions.

Is Benzalkonium Chloride natural or synthetic?

Benzalkonium Chloride is a synthetic ingredient, a class of quaternary ammonium compounds produced through chemical synthesis. It does not occur naturally in this form. It is manufactured specifically for its antimicrobial and surfactant properties.

Sunscreens with Benzalkonium Chloride

We rate 8 sunscreens that contain it:

← All ingredients