Skip to content
preservative

Quaternium-15

Watch if sensitive·Strong evidence

A preservative that works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde to keep microbes from growing in the product. It is a well-documented contact allergen for a subset of users, which is why formaldehyde releasers are worth knowing about even though most people tolerate them fine.

Worth knowing

  • Known contact sensitizer for some
  • Restricted in the EU

Banned from cosmetic products sold in the EU and UK since 2019 following an SCCS safety opinion on formaldehyde release; still permitted in the US at regulated levels.

Gentler alternatives

Questions

Is Quaternium-15 banned in the EU?
Yes. It has been banned from cosmetics sold in the EU and UK since 2019 after an SCCS safety opinion on formaldehyde release, and it remains restricted under EU cosmetics law.
Why is Quaternium-15 a concern if formaldehyde itself isn't in the ingredient list?
Quaternium-15 works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde to control microbial growth, and that released formaldehyde is what has been linked to contact allergy in a subset of users. It is still permitted in the US at regulated levels, but anyone with a known formaldehyde allergy is usually advised to avoid formaldehyde-releasing preservatives generally.
What can I use instead of Quaternium-15?
Phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate are common non-formaldehyde-releasing preservative alternatives used in reformulated products.

Products with Quaternium-15

In our guides

References

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.