Methylbenzethonium Chloride
AKA “Phemerol, N-Dimethyl-N-[2-[2-methyl-4-(1”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Methylbenzethonium chloride
AKA: Phemerol, N-Dimethyl-N-[2-[2-methyl-4-(1
Surfactant · Antimicrobial · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Preservative
Cleanser
Safety Concern
Not Clean
Methylbenzethonium chloride
Formula
C26H40ClNO
Mol. Weight
401.96
CAS #
25155-18-4
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Antistatic
Deodorant
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Fights Bacteria
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative and disinfectant. Designed to replace older preservatives with stronger antimicrobial efficacy.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzethonium Chloride and Methylbenzethonium Chloride
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Methylbenzethonium Chloride
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methylbenzethonium chloride in the care of skin of infants and children.
LIPSCHUTZ A, FISCHER CC
A.M.A. American journal of diseases of children, 1955
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR