Quaternium-22 is a light amber-colored liquid. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is used in the formulation of hair care products and preparations, as well as in bath soaps and skin care preparations.
The safety of Quaternium-22 has been assessed by the
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Quaternium-22 was safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products.CIR Safety Review: Quaternium-22 is used in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 5% solids. Based on its chemical structure, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Quaternium-22 was poorly absorbed through the skin. The CIR Expert Panel discussed the presence of impurities in commercial samples of Quaternium-22 but concluded that there were no toxic effects of Quaternium-22 due to the presence of impurities.
Neverthless, the CIR Expert Panel set recommended limits on the concentrations of
3-dimethylaminopropylamine and ethylene chlorohydrin impurities in Quaternium-22 of 0.2% and 0.008%, respectively, in the finished cosmetic product. These limitations were established, taking into consideration the maximum concentration of each impurity in the raw material (60% solids) and the maximum use concentration of Quaternium-22 in cosmetic products (5% solids).
Quaternium-22 may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the
general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_d...