Is Quaternium-15 Safe During Pregnancy? (2026 Guide)
Quaternium-15 is a preservative that can release small amounts of formaldehyde. In the MamaSkin ingredient library, it is classified as high risk due to its status as a formaldehyde donor alongside contact-allergy and carcinogenicity concerns in the evidence base. That does not mean every product containing it will cause harm, but it does mean we flag it for extra caution during pregnancy.
At a glance: quaternium-15 is high risk in our ingredient dataset.
What is Quaternium-15?
Quaternium-15 is typically used for formula preservation, stability, or product performance.
Why MamaSkin marks Quaternium-15 as high risk
Formaldehyde donor; contact-allergy and carcinogenicity concerns warrant caution in pregnancy. In our scoring model, this is treated as high risk in pregnancy-focused assessments.
Quick summary
- Risk band: high risk in our ingredient library.
- Why flagged: formaldehyde donor with contact-allergy and carcinogenicity concerns.
- Where it shows up: preservatives in cleansers, powders and some leave-on formulas.
Callout: Key ingredient flags
Quaternium-15 (high risk): formaldehyde donor; contact-allergy and carcinogenicity concerns warrant caution in pregnancy.
What the label may say
You will usually see it listed simply as:
- Quaternium-15
If it appears, we treat it as a high-risk flag in pregnancy.
Product examples from our database
Want the full list? These are example products from our current snapshot, not every product we track. In the MamaSkin app you can search and scan many more products, including full brand ranges.
- acne.org Cleanser (score 26, high risk)
- Bourjois Paris Loose Powder (score 26, high risk)
- Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin (score 26, high risk)
- Covergirl Clean Matte Pressed Powder (score 26, high risk)
- Covergirl Clean Sensitive Skin Pressed Powder (score 26, high risk)
- Covergirl Eye Enhancers 4 Kit Shadows (score 26, high risk)
- Covergirl Professional Loose Powder (score 26, high risk)
- Emina Bright Stuff Loose Powder (score 26, high risk)
Why MamaSkin flags it in pregnancy
Quaternium-15 is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative. Our ingredient library places it in the high-risk band because formaldehyde donors carry contact-allergy concerns and have a broader safety discussion around carcinogenicity. In pregnancy, we take a conservative approach and highlight ingredients that are commonly advised against or avoided as a precaution, even when exposure from cosmetics is generally low.
What to do instead
If you want to avoid formaldehyde donors during pregnancy, the most reliable step is to check labels or scan the product in the MamaSkin app. That ensures you are seeing the exact ingredients in the formula you are using, not a generic brand list.
Important notes
- This article is informational and not medical advice.
- Formulations change, and ingredient lists can vary by region.
- Always check the current label on your product.
Read next
- Formaldehyde Releasers in Pregnancy: What to Know
- Ingredients to Avoid in Pregnancy (2026 Guide)
- Is Phenoxyethanol Safe During Pregnancy?
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