Quaternium-15
AKA “Dowicil 100, 7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, N-(3-Chloroallyl)hexaminium chloride, Dowicide Q, Quaternium 15, Cinartc 200”
Synthetic
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Ingredient Facts
Quaternium-15
AKA: Dowicil 100, 7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, N-(3-Chloroallyl)hexaminium chloride, Dowicide Q, Quaternium 15, Cinartc 200
Synthetic · Antimicrobial | Preservative · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Preservative
Synthetic
Not Clean
A synthetic preservative that keeps beauty products fresh and protected from bacterial growth, helping extend shelf life.
Solubility greater than 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C9H16Cl2N4
Mol. Weight
251.15
CAS #
4080-31-3, 51229-78-8
Form
Liquid
Plant-Derived
Synthetic. Quaternium-15 is a synthetic quaternary ammonium compound derived from formaldehyde and dimethylamine precursors. It is synthesized through the quaternization of methylated amine compounds with formaldehyde-releasing agents.
Function
Antimicrobial | Preservative
Benefits
Fights Bacteria
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic antimicrobial preservative and formaldehyde releaser. Widely adopted in cosmetics during the 1960s-1980s to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination, though later restricted in some regions due to sensitization concerns.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Target
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy Safe
Caution
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Formaldehyde Releaser
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Formaldehyde Releaser
Restricted By
EWG Score4
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval, all-shades-safe, Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
0.2%
0%0%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.2%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 31.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR