Cetrimonium Chloride

At ORY^®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about cetrimonium chloride. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.

How to read this page

Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews.

Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY^® uses.

Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly.

1. General Description and Role

Claim: Cetrimonium chloride is a light, water-soluble (C16) cationic conditioner. In ORY^® Haircare, it helps detangle hair, reduce static and flyaways, and add slip without weight.

Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel found cetrimonium chloride safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products (1997), and later concluded that trimoniums are safe when formulated to be non-irritating (2012).

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
  - What it shows: CIR safety assessment (1997).
- Becker, L. C., et al. (2012). Safety assessment of trimoniums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 31(6 Suppl), 296S–341S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812467378
  - What it shows: CIR safety assessment of trimoniums (2012).

2. Composition and Production

Claim: Cetrimonium chloride is made from cetyl (C16) amine and supplied as a 25–30% water solution.

Verification: Supported. In the EU it is limited to 2.5% in rinse-off hair products, 1% in leave-on hair products, and 0.5% in leave-on face products. ORY^® keeps leave-on products at or below 0.25%, the level CIR reviewed.

Citations:

- European Union. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 866/2014 (cetrimonium chloride: 2.5% rinse-off hair, 1.0% leave-on hair, 0.5% leave-on face; behentrimonium chloride: 5.0% rinse-off hair, 3.0% leave-on hair and face). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/866/oj
  - What it shows: EU limits.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
  - What it shows: CIR leave-on level.

3. Skin Type Suitability

Claim: ORY^® uses cetrimonium chloride only in a few rinse-off skin cleansers.

Verification: Supported. Shorter-chain quats are more irritating than long-chain ones, so ORY^® limits skin use.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
  - What it shows: Irritation data.

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

Claim: In haircare, cetrimonium chloride helps detangle and reduce static and flyaways.

Verification: Supported. Cationic conditioners neutralize charge on hair and reduce combing friction.

Citations:

- Hössel, P., Dieing, R., Nörenberg, R., Pfau, A., & Sander, R. (2000). Conditioning polymers in today’s shampoo formulations – efficacy, mechanism and test methods. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 22(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2494.2000.00003.x
  - What it shows: Conditioning.
- Robbins, C. R. (2012). Chemical and physical behavior of human hair (5th ed.). Springer (reference book). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25611-0
  - What it shows: Reference text.

5. Benefits

Claim: Cetrimonium chloride makes hair easier to comb and helps control static.

Verification: Supported. These are cosmetic effects.

Citations:

- Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25878443/
  - What it shows: Review.

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines

Claim: Cetrimonium chloride is used mainly in ORY^® Haircare, with limited skin, bar, and mascara use.

Verification: Supported. It is not used in soap itself.

Product line	Typical level	How ORY^® uses it
Skincare	0.2–0.5% rinse-off	A few rinse-off cream cleansers and body washes.
Haircare	0.5–2% rinse-off; up to 0.25% leave-on	Rinse-off conditioners, detangling sprays, and leave-ins.
Handmade Soap line	0.5–1%	Conditioner and 2-in-1 shampoo bars (cosmetics).
Cosmetics	up to 0.25%	Mascaras and brow gels.

Citations:

- European Union. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 866/2014 (cetrimonium chloride: 2.5% rinse-off hair, 1.0% leave-on hair, 0.5% leave-on face; behentrimonium chloride: 5.0% rinse-off hair, 3.0% leave-on hair and face). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/866/oj
  - What it shows: Use limits.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
  - What it shows: FDA definition of soap; other bars are cosmetics.

7. Pros

Claim: A light, clear conditioner with CIR safety conclusions.

Verification: Supported. Supported by CIR review.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
  - What it shows: Safety.

8. Cons

Claim: Cetrimonium chloride has tighter limits and is more irritating than long-chain quats.

Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:

- Tighter limits. CIR-reviewed leave-on level is 0.25%.
- Eye irritation. Take care in mascaras.
- Light conditioning only.
- Not compatible with anionic ingredients.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
  - What it shows: Limits.

9. Safety Notes

Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only.

Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:

- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Keep out of the eyes; rinse thoroughly if contact occurs.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes unless the product is made for the eye area.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
  - What it shows: Safety conclusion.

10. Product-line notes

- ORY^® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY^® Haircare: Designed for the look and feel of hair and scalp comfort. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss.
- ORY^® Handmade Soap line: This ingredient is used only in conditioner and 2-in-1 shampoo bars, which are cosmetics under FDA rules, not in soap.
- ORY^® Cosmetics: Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.

11. References

Peer-reviewed research

- Becker, L. C., et al. (2012). Safety assessment of trimoniums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 31(6 Suppl), 296S–341S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812467378
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (1997). Final report on the safety assessment of cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and steartrimonium chloride. International Journal of Toxicology, 16(3), 195–220 (safe in rinse-off products and at up to 0.25% in leave-on products). https://doi.org/10.1080/109158197227152
- Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25878443/
- Hössel, P., Dieing, R., Nörenberg, R., Pfau, A., & Sander, R. (2000). Conditioning polymers in today’s shampoo formulations – efficacy, mechanism and test methods. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 22(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2494.2000.00003.x
- Robbins, C. R. (2012). Chemical and physical behavior of human hair (5th ed.). Springer (reference book). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25611-0

Government and regulatory sources

- European Union. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 866/2014 (cetrimonium chloride: 2.5% rinse-off hair, 1.0% leave-on hair, 0.5% leave-on face; behentrimonium chloride: 5.0% rinse-off hair, 3.0% leave-on hair and face). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/866/oj
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20

1. General Description and Role

2. Composition and Production

3. Skin Type Suitability

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

5. Benefits

6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines

7. Pros

8. Cons

9. Safety Notes

10. Product-line notes

11. References

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines