Polyquaternium-4 is a cationic cellulose-derived polymer widely used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations, particularly in hair-care products. It is valued for its film-forming, conditioning, antistatic and hair-fixing properties. The polymer can deposit onto hair surfaces and improve manageability, smoothness, combability and overall hair feel.
Polyquaternium-4 is a polymeric quaternary ammonium derivative of cellulose. Its cationic nature allows it to interact with the negatively charged surface of hair, making it useful in conditioning and styling formulations.
The ingredient can be incorporated into shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, styling products and other personal-care formulations where conditioning, antistatic effects and film formation are desired.
Polyquaternium-4 is a cationic cellulose polymer produced by chemical modification of cellulose. It contains quaternary ammonium groups that provide its characteristic cationic properties.
Its main cosmetic functions include:
The exact molecular weight, charge density, viscosity and physical properties can vary according to commercial grade.
Polyquaternium-4 is a quaternized cellulose derivative. Its polymeric structure contains a cellulose backbone modified with cationic substituents.
Because it is a polymer, it does not have the same type of simple molecular formula as a low-molecular-weight cosmetic ingredient.
INCI Name: Polyquaternium-4
CAS Number: 92183-41-0
Chemical Class: Cationic Cellulose Polymer
Polymer Type: Quaternary Ammonium-Modified Cellulose
Polyquaternium-4 is primarily associated with hair-care applications because its cationic charge promotes deposition onto the hair surface.
It can contribute to:
The conditioning effect depends on polymer concentration, charge density, molecular weight and the overall formulation.
Hair can develop static electricity during washing, drying and combing.
The cationic character of Polyquaternium-4 can help reduce static effects and improve hair manageability.
This can be beneficial in:
Polyquaternium-4 can form a film over the hair surface.
The resulting polymer film can contribute to:
Film formation depends on the grade and formulation environment.
Polyquaternium-4 can be incorporated into shampoo formulations to provide conditioning properties while cleansing.
Potential benefits include:
The polymer can be selected for formulations where conditioning is required without significantly compromising the desired cleansing characteristics.
Polyquaternium-4 is particularly suitable for conditioning systems.
It can support:
It may be used alongside other conditioning agents, cationic surfactants and polymers.
The film-forming properties of Polyquaternium-4 make it suitable for selected styling formulations.
Potential applications include:
The polymer can contribute to film formation and hair manageability while providing conditioning characteristics.
Polyquaternium-4 can improve the surface characteristics of hair by depositing a cationic polymer layer.
This can help improve:
It should be considered a conditioning polymer rather than a standalone repair treatment.
When formulating with Polyquaternium-4, formulators should evaluate:
Because Polyquaternium-4 is cationic, interactions with anionic ingredients can influence viscosity, clarity, deposition and overall formulation performance.
Polyquaternium-4 can be used in:
Polyquaternium-4 is a cationic cellulose-derived polymer used mainly in hair-care formulations for conditioning, antistatic performance and film formation.
The CAS number is 92183-41-0.
The INCI name is Polyquaternium-4.
Its main cosmetic functions include antistatic, film forming, hair conditioning and hair fixing.
It is derived from cellulose but is chemically modified to produce a cationic polymer.
Yes. It can be used in shampoos to improve conditioning, combability, manageability and antistatic performance.
Yes. It is particularly useful in conditioning formulations because of its cationic deposition and film-forming characteristics.
Yes. Suitable grades can be used in styling gels, creams, lotions and other hair-styling formulations.
Yes. Its cationic character provides antistatic properties that can help reduce static and improve hair manageability.
Polyquaternium-4 is generally supplied as a water-compatible polymer, but exact solubility, viscosity and handling characteristics depend on the commercial grade.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |