Ingredient deep-dive
Quaternium-15: Is It a Microplastic?
Formaldehyde-releasing preservative and one of the more common contact allergens among preservatives. Banned in EU cosmetics. Not a plastic.
Where it appears
- Legacy shampoos and lotions
- Imported cosmetics
Regulatory status (2026)
European Union
Banned in cosmetics.
United States
No federal restriction.
Cleaner alternatives
- Phenoxyethanol
- Sodium benzoate
- Ethylhexylglycerin systems
Use the app
Scan any product for Quaternium-15 in 5 seconds
The MicroPlastics iOS app flags this ingredient and 24 others instantly. Paste a label into the free web ingredient checker first if you want a no-install scan.
Download on the App StoreQuaternium-15, common questions
Is Quaternium-15 a microplastic?
Is Quaternium-15 banned?
What can I use instead of Quaternium-15?
What products contain Quaternium-15?
Related ingredients
Parabens
Plasticiser / chemical of concern · Medium concern
Preservatives flagged for endocrine activity; commonly co-occur with plastic polymers in synthetic formulas.
Read morePhthalates
Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern
Plasticisers used to soften plastic, banned from many products. Strong endocrine disruptors.
Read moreBHT / BHA
Plasticiser / chemical of concern · Low concern
Synthetic antioxidants, co-occurrence flag in plastic-heavy formulas.
Read moreDEHP (Diethylhexyl Phthalate)
Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern
The most studied plasticiser and a recognised endocrine disruptor. Banned in EU cosmetics. It reaches food and bodies mainly through plastic packaging and processing equipment rather than through cosmetic formulas.
Read more