A quaternary ammonium salt used in hair conditioners, regulated in Annex V.
What it is
Steartrimonium chloride (trimethyloctadecylammonium chloride) is a cationic quaternary ammonium salt with a C18 alkyl chain. CosIng lists it as an antistatic agent, hair-conditioning agent and preservative. In the EU it is covered by the Annex V (allowed preservatives) entry for alkyl (C12-22) trimethylammonium bromides and chlorides.
Where it is used
Found in hair conditioners, hair masks and some creams.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits. The label does not show the concentration or whether it is used as a preservative or for another purpose.
Functions
- Antistatic
- Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Preservative
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
EU regulation
- Maximum concentration
- 0.1%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2014/866
- Product type
- (a) Rinse-off hair products (b) Leave-on hair products (c) Leave-on face products
- Maximum concentration
- (a) 2,5% for the individual concentrarions or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride (b) 1,0% for the individual concentrarions or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride (c) 0,5% for the individual concentrarions or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimonium chloride and streartrimonium chloride
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2014/866
Products with this ingredient (8)
- IGORA VIBRANCE Activator Lotion 1,9% / 6 Vol. 1000 ml · Schwarzkopf Professional
- Keratin Hair Mask · SAPEIO
- odiD Onarıcı Saç Bakım Kürü · odiD
- Milbon No. 4 weekly booster medium hair · Milbon
- John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straightening Spray 100mL · John Frieda
- John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Conditioner 250mL · John Frieda
- Color Advance negro nº1 · Llongueras
- Osmo Luv · INCO