The invention relates to a meta-phenylenediamine compound of formula (I) below, the addition salts thereof with an acid and the solvates thereof: in which: R represents a hydrogen or halogen atom; a C1-C4 alkyl radical; a carboxyl radical or a (C1-C4) alkoxycarbonyl radical, R1 represents a linear C1-C10 alkyl radical substituted with a cationic radical, said alkyl radical being optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms and/or with one or more NR6 groups, said cationic radical being optionally substituted with one or more radicals chosen from C1-C4 alkoxy or C1-C4 (hydroxy)alkyl; R6 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl radical; An− represents an anion or a mixture of anions which are organic or inorganic and cosmetically acceptable.