Benzethonium chloride and methylbenzethonium chloride

General information

Quaternary ammonium compounds are surface-active agents. Some of them precipitate or denature proteins and destroy micro-organisms. The most important disinfectants in this group are cationic surface-active agents, such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and methylbenzethonium chloride, and cetylpyridinium chloride; the problems that they cause are similar.

In an extensive report, the Expert Panel of the American College of Toxicology [ ] has concluded that both benzethonium chloride and methylbenzethonium chloride can be regarded as safe when applied to the skin at a concentration of 0.5% or when used around the eye in cosmetics at a maximum concentration of 0.02%. In clinical studies, benzethonium chloride produced mild skin irritation at 5%, but not at lower concentrations. Neither ingredient is considered to be a sensitizer.