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Quaternium-15

Quaternium-15 is a preservative found in many cosmetics and industrial substances that releases formaldehyde. It can be found in numerous sources, including but not limited to: mascara, eyeliner, moisturizer, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, nail polish, personal lubricants, soaps, body wash, baby lotion or shampoo, facial cleanser, tanning oil, self-tanning cream, sunscreen, powder, shaving products, ointments, personal wipes or cleansers, wipes, paper, inks, paints, polishes, waxes and industrial lubricants. It can cause contact dermatitis, a symptom of an allergic reaction, especially in those with sensitive skin, on an infant's skin, or on sensitive areas such as the genitals.

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Its chemical formula is C₉H₁₆Cl₂N₄. It can be found under a variety of names, including: Dowicil 75; Dowicil 100; Dowco 184; Dowicide Q; 1-(3-Chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride; N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride; hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride; 3,5,7-Triaza-1-azoniaadamantane; 1-(3-chloroallyl)-chloride.

Its CAS number is [4080-31-3] and its SMILES structure is Cl\C=C/C[N+]23CN1CN(C3)CN(C2)C1.[Cl-].

Formaldehyde-releasing

Other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives similar to quaternium-15 include: imidazolidinyl urea (Germall 115®), diazolidinyl urea (Germall II®), DMDM hydantoin (Glydant®), 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol™), tris(hydroxymethyl) nitromethane (Tris Nitro®), and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.(Suttocide A®)

Safety concerns

Quaternium-15 is an allergen, and can cause contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.^[1] Many of those with an allergy to quaternium-15 are also allergic to formaldehyde. Allergic sensitivity to quaternium-15 can be detected using a patch test.^[2] It is the single most often found cause of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands (16.5% in 959 cases)^[3]

References

^ Cahill J, Nixon R. Allergic contact dermatitis to quaternium 15 in a moisturizing lotion. Australas J Dermatol. 2005 Nov;46(4):284-5. PMID 16197434
^ New Zealand Dermatological Society. Quaternium-15 contact allergy. DermNet NZ. Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
^ E. Warshaw, et al. Contact dermatitis of the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 57, Issue 2, Pages 301-314