Polyquaternium 4

Most polyquaterniums have conditioning, antistatic and film forming product functions in common. Polyquaterniums are positively charged, which make them ideal ingredients to ionically bond to hair and skin, and they will neutralize negative charges keeping the hair static-free. These ingredients are often used in shampoos, conditioners, liquid hand soaps, shower gel, lotions, hair mousse, hair spray and many other haircare, skincare, and body care applications.

What is polyquaternium? Polyquaternium is a personal care market specific designation for a group of polycationic polymers. The word polyquaternium refers to quaternary ammonium compounds, which are salts of quaternary ammonium cations. Quaternary ammonium cations (quats) are positively charged polyatomic ions.

The International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) by the Personal Care Products Council, contains a long list of polymers with names starting with Polyquaternium followed by a number. The numbering is on basis of the registration sequence and has neither a specific meaning nor does it refer to specific chemical structures of the polymers. Well-known examples of the polyquaternium range are:

Polyquaternium 4 – hydroxyethyl cellulose dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride copolymer; Diallyldimethylammonium chloride-hydroxyethyl cellulose copolymer, highly cationic conditioner, and fixative.
Polyquaternium 7 – copolymer of acrylamide and diallyldimethylammonium chloride. High molecular weight polyquat, good detangler, conditioning agent, and film former for hair care.
Polyquaternium 10 – quaternized hydroxy ethyl cellulose with antistatic agent, moisturizing and non-tacky film forming properties.
Polyquaternium 11 – copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. A quaternary ammonium compound, which improves combability, natural shine and provides smoothness and soft feel.
Polyquaternium 22 – copolymer of acrylic acid and diallyldimethylammonium chloride. Known for excellent conditioning qualities and ability to provide stiff hold in hair styling products.
Polyquaternium 37 – poly (2-methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride).
Polyquaternium 39 – terpolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide and diallyldimethylammonium chloride, which has great conditioning and styling attributes and is used in curl retention products.
Polyquaternium 47 – terpolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, and methyl acrylate. Is known for its great detangling capabilities.