Ingredient dictionary

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Also listed as: Quaternium-18 Bentonite

Disteardimonium Hectorite is a natural clay modified with a fatty ammonium compound to blend into oils and thicken them. It is on the label of 84 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: none for most people; check the full product list if your skin reacts easily.

What Disteardimonium Hectorite does

Thickens oils and water-free formulas
Suspends powders and pigments evenly
Gives sticks and creams a smooth body

Hectorite is a soft natural clay from the smectite group, the same family as bentonite. To make it work in oils, manufacturers swap some of the natural ions between its layers for a long-chain ammonium compound. That is where the disteardimonium part of the name comes from. The result is an organoclay that spreads into oils, waxes and other water-free ingredients.

Formulators use it mainly as a thickener and suspending agent. In oil-based sticks and creams it builds a light, gel-like structure that keeps powders and pigments from settling. It also helps give eyeshadows, concealers, deodorants and sunscreens a smooth, even texture. On the skin it usually feels soft and creamy rather than sticky, and it adds a little body without much weight.

Good for

Suits sticks, powders, and oil-rich creams that need a smooth, stable texture.

Be careful if

Nothing in particular for most skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is Disteardimonium Hectorite safe for sensitive skin?

It is generally well tolerated. It works as a texture ingredient, not an active one, so it is not meant to change the skin itself. If you have a known sensitivity, check the full ingredient list and patch test new products first.

How is it different from regular bentonite?

Regular bentonite is a plain clay that works best in water-based products. Disteardimonium Hectorite has been modified so it blends into oils and waxes. That makes it useful in sticks, powders and oil-rich makeup.