Ingredient · dataset v56
Quaternium-18 Bentonite and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
Bentonite clay surface-modified with quaternium-18 (ditallow dimethyl ammonium): the tallow alkyls are N-bound, not cleavable esters, and the base is mineral clay — neither half is a yeast lipid substrate.
Neutral by the quat rule (quaternary ammoniums without an ester bond: Stearalkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride rows) plus the mineral-clay precedent (Bentonite; Disteardimonium Hectorite is the quat-modified analogue, also neutral).
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Mineral
Related mineral
- Alumina — No known trigger
- Aluminum Chlorohydrate — No known trigger
- Aluminum Hydroxide — No known trigger
- Aluminum Powder — No known trigger
- Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY — No known trigger
- Avene Thermal Spring Water — No known trigger
- Barium Sulfate — No known trigger
- Boron Nitride — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Quaternium-18 Bentonite trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: Bentonite clay surface-modified with quaternium-18 (ditallow dimethyl ammonium): the tallow alkyls are N-bound, not cleavable esters, and the base is mineral clay — neither half is a yeast lipid substrate.
Does Quaternium-18 Bentonite feed Malassezia?
No known link: Quaternium-18 Bentonite 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 Quaternium-18 Bentonite →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.