POLYQUATERNIUM
Polyquaternium is a family of cationic polymers, not one ingredient offered in numbered grades. Polyquaternium-6 is a dimethyldiallylammonium chloride polymer; -7 adds acrylamide; -10 is based on modified cellulose; -11 combines a methacrylic ester with vinylpyrrolidone.
What it is
Polyquaternium is a family of cationic polymers, not one ingredient offered in numbered grades. Polyquaternium-6 is a dimethyldiallylammonium chloride polymer; -7 adds acrylamide; -10 is based on modified cellulose; -11 combines a methacrylic ester with vinylpyrrolidone.
Numbers 37, 39, and 53 identify different acrylic structures. Polyquaternium-55 combines quaternary units, methacrylamide, and vinylpyrrolidone. Changing the number therefore changes the polymer composition.
What it does in a formula
Polyquaternium-6, -7, -10, -11, -37, and -39 are classified as antistatic and film-forming. Polyquaternium-53 is used for hair conditioning, while Polyquaternium-55 is classified for hair fixing.
A shared function does not make the structures identical: -6 and -7 are related through the dimethyldiallylammonium unit, but -7 also contains acrylamide; -39 and -53 use different combinations of acrylic monomers.
Conditions and care
Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-39, and Polyquaternium-53 are associated with restriction entry III/66. That reference applies to those three numbers and should not be transferred automatically to the other family members.
Polyquaternium types and their differences
The number identifies a distinct polymer composition; it is not a strength, quality, or release-order scale. Compare the monomers and functions of each type.
POLYQUATERNIUM-6
Quaternary polymer of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride.
It is the base structure that -7 combines with acrylamide.
Antistatic and film forming.
POLYQUATERNIUM-7
Copolymer of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride.
It adds acrylamide to the unit used in -6.
Antistatic and film forming; III/66 reference.
POLYQUATERNIUM-10
Cellulose ether modified with quaternary groups.
It is the only cellulose-based type in this group.
Antistatic and film forming.
POLYQUATERNIUM-11
Polymer of a methacrylic ester and vinylpyrrolidone.
It combines a methacrylic unit with pyrrolidone.
Antistatic and film forming.
POLYQUATERNIUM-37
Homopolymer of a quaternary methacrylic unit.
It is a homopolymer, unlike copolymers 39 and 53.
Antistatic and film forming.
POLYQUATERNIUM-39
Copolymer of acrylamide, a diallylammonium unit, and acrylic acid.
It includes acrylic acid, which is absent from the described -7 composition.
Antistatic and film forming; III/66 reference.
POLYQUATERNIUM-53
Copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, and methacrylamidopropyltrimonium.
The methacrylamidopropyltrimonium unit separates it from -39.
Hair conditioning; III/66 reference.
POLYQUATERNIUM-55
Polymer containing quaternary units, methacrylamide, and vinylpyrrolidone.
It is the only type in this group classified for hair fixing.
Hair fixing.
Restrictions and conditions of use
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
Liss frizz control mask
casting crème gloss
Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo 250ml
