Polyquaternium-10 is a cationic cellulose-derived polymer widely used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations, particularly in hair-care products. It is valued for its hair-conditioning, antistatic, film-forming and hair-fixing properties. Its cationic character allows the polymer to interact with the negatively charged surface of hair, supporting improved conditioning, manageability, combability and smoothness.
Polyquaternium-10 is a quaternary ammonium derivative of hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is designed for use in aqueous cosmetic systems and can provide conditioning benefits during and after cleansing.
The ingredient is commonly considered for shampoos, conditioning shampoos, hair conditioners, hair treatments, leave-on products and styling formulations. Its performance depends on polymer grade, molecular characteristics, concentration, formulation pH and compatibility with surfactants and other ingredients.
Polyquaternium-10 is a cationically modified cellulose polymer based on hydroxyethyl cellulose. Quaternary ammonium groups are introduced onto the cellulose-derived backbone, giving the polymer its cationic properties.
Its main cosmetic functions include:
Polyquaternium-10 is a polymeric quaternary ammonium derivative of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
INCI Name: Polyquaternium-10
CAS Number: 81859-24-7
Chemical Class: Cationic Cellulose Polymer
Polymer Type: Quaternized Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
The degree of substitution and cationic modification can vary between commercial grades, which can influence viscosity, charge density, deposition and conditioning performance.
Polyquaternium-10 is widely used as a conditioning polymer because its cationic character promotes interaction with the hair surface.
It can contribute to:
The level of conditioning depends on the selected grade and complete formulation.
Hair can accumulate static during washing, drying and combing. Polyquaternium-10 can provide an antistatic effect by interacting with the hair surface.
This makes it suitable for:
Polyquaternium-10 can form a polymeric film on the hair surface.
This film can support:
Film formation depends on polymer grade, concentration, drying conditions and formulation composition.
Polyquaternium-10 is particularly useful in shampoo formulations where cleansing needs to be combined with conditioning.
It can help provide:
It can be incorporated into a variety of shampoo systems depending on the selected grade and surfactant combination.
Polyquaternium-10 can be used in conditioning formulations to support deposition and improve hair feel.
Potential benefits include:
It may be combined with other conditioning polymers, cationic surfactants, emollients and conditioning agents.
The polymer can be considered for:
Its role is primarily associated with surface conditioning, film formation and improved manageability.
Polyquaternium-10 can also be used in selected styling systems.
Potential applications include:
Its film-forming and conditioning characteristics can provide styling support while maintaining a conditioned hair feel.
Polyquaternium-10 can improve the surface characteristics of hair by depositing a cationic polymer layer.
This can support:
When formulating with Polyquaternium-10, formulators should evaluate:
Because Polyquaternium-10 is cationic, its interaction with anionic surfactants and other charged ingredients can influence viscosity, clarity, deposition and overall formulation performance.
Polyquaternium-10 can be used in:
Polyquaternium-10 is a cationic cellulose-derived polymer used mainly in hair-care formulations for conditioning, antistatic performance, film formation and improved hair manageability.
The CAS number is 81859-24-7.
The INCI name is Polyquaternium-10.
Its main cosmetic functions include antistatic, film forming, hair conditioning and hair fixing.
Yes. Polyquaternium-10 is a chemically modified cellulose-derived cationic polymer based on hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Yes. It is commonly used in shampoo and cleansing formulations to support conditioning, combability and manageability.
Yes. It is suitable for selected hair-conditioning formulations.
Yes. Suitable grades can be incorporated into styling gels, creams, lotions and other hair-styling systems.
Yes. Its cationic properties provide antistatic characteristics that can help reduce static and improve hair manageability.
Polyquaternium-10 is designed for use in aqueous formulations, but exact solubility, viscosity and dispersion characteristics depend on the commercial grade.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |