Ingredient · dataset v56
Benzalkonium Chloride and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A mixed-alkyl quaternary ammonium preservative; the chains are N-bound, not esters Malassezia yeast splits (quat rule, behentrimonium / myrtrimonium precedent). Round-6 2b, approved.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Quat
Also listed as
Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
Related quat
- Behentrimonium Chloride — No known trigger
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate — No known trigger
- Cetrimonium Methosulfate — No known trigger
- Myrtrimonium Bromide — No known trigger
- Stearalkonium Chloride — No known trigger
- Steartrimonium Chloride — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Benzalkonium Chloride trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A mixed-alkyl quaternary ammonium preservative; the chains are N-bound, not esters the yeast splits (quat rule, behentrimonium / myrtrimonium precedent). Round-6 2b, approved.
Does Benzalkonium Chloride feed Malassezia?
No known link: Benzalkonium Chloride is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Benzalkonium Chloride →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.