Common Name(s): Btac,docosyltrimethylammonium chloride,quat 22
CAS Number: 17301-53-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Adsorbs to hair surface for superior conditioning, detangling, and static elimination.
Why It's Used: The premium quaternary ammonium conditioner โ c22 chain length provides superior substantivity and lower irritation than ctab or dcdmh at equivalent conditioning performance.
How It Works: C22 quaternary ammonium adsorbs electrostatically to negatively charged hair cuticle (damaged hair has more negative sites, more adsorption where needed). forms a positively charged film reducing inter-fiber friction for detangling. c22 chain provides superior lubricant film vs shorter-chain quats. lower irritation than c16 ctac.
Typically Found In: Conditioners,hair masks,detangling sprays
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ quaternary ammonium conditioner
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2/5 โ low to moderate (rinse-off)
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Behentrimonium chloride's c22 chain length is the cosmetic industry's sweet spot for quaternary ammonium conditioners โ longer than ctac (c16) for better substantivity and lower rinse-off, shorter than c24+ which would be too waxy. the c22 monounsaturated variant (behentrimonium methosulfate, btms) in emulsifying wax nf is the gold standard conditioning emulsifier in leave-on conditioners.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,robbins conditioning hair science,cir safety assessment