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 79 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

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.

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.