QUATERNIUM-80
QUATERNIUM-80 is a synthetic ingredient used mainly in hair-care products. It is a quaternary ammonium compound joined to a silicone structure, which sets it apart from the plant oils and extracts that can also appear in hair-care formulas.
QUATERNIUM-80: what it is
QUATERNIUM-80 is a synthetic ingredient used mainly in hair-care products. It is a quaternary ammonium compound joined to a silicone structure, which sets it apart from the plant oils and extracts that can also appear in hair-care formulas.
Its technical description includes coco-derived groups and acetate salts, but it is not coconut oil or a fruit extract. The finished ingredient is made by synthesis, and an ingredient list cannot identify the specific feedstock used for each part of its composition in a particular product.
QUATERNIUM-80: what it does in cosmetics
In hair products, QUATERNIUM-80 helps reduce static electricity. In everyday terms, that can lessen the flyaway effect caused when strands repel one another, especially after combing or in dry conditions.
It is also used to condition hair, meaning it is associated with easier combing and a softer, more supple feel; it may also contribute to the look of shine or volume. Those cosmetic functions do not mean that it treats hair loss, repairs damage, or promotes hair growth.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
