What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Cetrimonium Bromide squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Cetrimonium Bromide, so we publish the range (3) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Cetrimonium Bromide near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Cetrimonium Bromide
It is a surfactant — a cleansing or foaming agent that lifts oil and grime. A quaternary conditioning surfactant named on pore-clogging lists in the moderate range.
On a label it can read as Cetrimonium Bromide, Myrtrimonium Bromide — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Cetrimonium Bromide in makeup and skincare
It appears in cleansers, micellar waters, and makeup-removing washes. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
Lower-rated alternatives to Cetrimonium Bromide
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).