Beauty · Preservatives

Is Quaternium-24 Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides

TL;DR: Quaternium-24 is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (preservatives).

INCI name Quaternium-24. CAS 12001-99-9.

Is Quaternium-24 banned in the EU?

Quaternium-24 (Quaternium-24) is a preservative.

It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.

Concentration-restricted in the EU.

Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.

Is Quaternium-24 banned in the EU?

Quaternium-24 is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.

Is Quaternium-24 in US cosmetics?

Yes — Quaternium-24 can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.

What products contain Quaternium-24?

Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Quaternium-24 automatically.

Are there safer alternatives to Quaternium-24?

Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Quaternium-24.

Is Quaternium-24 in your bathroom cabinet?

Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Quaternium-24 or other ingredients banned overseas.

Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.