What Is Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride?

Learn about the anti-static and preservative characteristics of Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride?

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Benzododecinium chloride is a liquid chemical that has antiseptic and disinfectant properties. It's commonly used in cosmetics to prevent static electricity and as a preservative to keep products from going bad. This chemical is made up of benzododecinium, which is an organic compound, and chloride, which is a type of salt. It belongs to a group of chemicals called quaternary ammonium salts that help kill bacteria and viruses. In eye drops, it helps keep the product clean and safe to use for your eyes.

What is the purpose of Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride in personal care products? It is used for its anti-static and preservative characteristics. Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride prevents static electricity buildup and prevents spoiling.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride, Benzododecinium chloride, Lauralkonium Chloride, and N-Benzyl-N,N-dimethyldodecan-1-aminium chloride.

What Are Anti-Static Ingredients?

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Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride has anti-static characteristics.

Anti-static ingredients are used in cosmetic products to help prevent static electricity from building up on your skin or hair. Static electricity can cause your hair to stick to your face, your makeup to cling to your skin unflatteringly, or even cause an uncomfortable shock.

These ingredients create a barrier on the surface of your skin or hair, which helps neutralize any electrical charge that might be present. This means that static electricity is less likely to build up, so your hair and makeup stay in place, and you don't have to worry about uncomfortable shocks.

What Are Preservative Ingredients?

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Benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride has preservative characteristics.

Preservative ingredients are added to cosmetic products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, yeast, and mold. These microorganisms can grow in the product over time and cause it to spoil, leading to a potential risk of infection or irritation when applied to the skin.

Preservatives work by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms or killing them, which helps maintain the product's quality and safety and extend its shelf life. Cosmetic products could become contaminated and unsafe to use without preservatives after just a few weeks or months. Each preservative has a specific mode of action and is used at a particular concentration to provide adequate protection against microorganisms while also minimizing the risk of irritation to the skin.

Types of Preservative Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of preservative ingredients:

  • Antimicrobial agents: These substances inhibit or kill microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which can cause spoilage and contamination in cosmetic products.

  • Chelating agents: These compounds bind to metal ions that promote the growth of microorganisms and accelerate spoilage. By chelating these metal ions, chelating agents can help to stabilize cosmetic formulations.

  • Acidifiers: These substances lower the pH of cosmetic formulations, making them less hospitable to microorganisms.

  • Antioxidants: These compounds help prevent the oxidation of cosmetic ingredients, which can cause them to degrade and spoil.

  • Natural preservatives: These are various natural ingredients, such as essential oils and plant extracts. These have antimicrobial properties and can be used as preservatives in cosmetic formulations.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.