Quick answer

Synthetic polymer compound primarily used in hair care products; Offers hair conditioning, detangling, and anti-static benefits; Also used in skin care formulations and is known to offer emollient properties; Can be used to control the viscosity of a formula, thereby enhancing the texture

Polyquaternium-10

Updated

Cellulose, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonium)propoxy)ethyl ether, chloride;
Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl 2-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propoxy]ethyl 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether, chloride
Cellulose, ether with alpha-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl]-omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), chloride

Purpose

Synthetic polymer used in both skin care and hair care products. Adds value as a flexible film-forming agent and texture enhancing ingredient. Offers emollient properties for skin and conditioning and detangling benefits for hair.

Rating

GOOD

Category

Film-Forming Agent, Emollient, Texture Enhancer

INCI Purpose

ANTISTATIC, FILM FORMING

Alternative Names

Hair Profile

Functions

Conditioning Film Former

Helps With

Thin hair

Goals

Volume

Suitable For

Thickness fine Density low

Role

Cationic cellulose derivative. Adds volume and body while gently conditioning; does not flatten roots.

Length

At a Glance

Synthetic polymer compound primarily used in hair care products

Offers hair conditioning, detangling, and anti-static benefits

Also used in skin care formulations and is known to offer emollient properties

Can be used to control the viscosity of a formula, thereby enhancing the texture

Article

Polyquaternium-10 is a synthetic polymer compound primarily used in hair care products due to its value as a flexible film-forming and anti-static agent. Of note, it offers conditioning and detangling benefits.

Polyquaternium-10 also shows up in skin care formulas such as cleansers, exfoliants, and moisturizers where it is known to offer emollient properties and can be used to control the viscosity of a formula, thereby enhancing the texture.

As a raw material, it has a white granular powder appearance and is soluble in water.

Polyquaternium-10 has decades of history of safe use in cosmetics and was most recently reevaluated by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel in 2008, where it was once again deemed safe. Their report surveyed 396 products using polyquaternium-10, with concentrations ranging from 0.004% to 1.5%.

See: Quaternium Ammonium Compounds

References