Allowed, with limits
Restricted in the EU
- What it can be used for
- Kills or slows microbes, mixes oil and water, preserves the product and reduces static (the functions the EU ingredient database, CosIng, lists for it; a product may use it for any of them)
- CAS number
- 112-02-7
Why it’s flagged
Allowed in EU cosmetics only with limits.
- Annex III entry 286; products: (a) Rinse-off hair products; (b) Leave-on hair products; (c) Leave-on face products; max (a) 2,5% for the individual concentrarions or the sum of the individual concentrations of cetrimoniu; For purposes other than inhibiting the development of microorganisms in the product. The purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (restricted)
Annex III (restricted substances) or Annex V (preservatives) of the EU Cosmetics Regulation sets maximum amounts, allowed product types or required warnings.
What this page can’t tell you
These lists describe what a substance can do, its hazard. The risk from one product depends on how much is in it and how you use it, and the label doesn’t say how much.
Not being on a list doesn’t make an ingredient safe. It may never have been assessed.
Check your products
Check a whole labelProducts that list itEWG Skin DeepShop fragrance-free
“Products that list it” opens Open Beauty Facts, a free database anyone can edit.
Flagged the same way
Official lists checked September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.