Polyquaternium-10
A cellulose-based conditioning polymer that leaves a light film for easier combing and less static. Common in shampoos and conditioners.
About Polyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-10 is a polymer made by attaching positively charged groups to hydroxyethyl cellulose, a thickener derived from plant cellulose. The 'poly' means it is a long chain, and the 'quaternium' means it carries permanent positive charges along that chain.
Because hair carries a negative charge, especially when wet or damaged, polyquaternium-10 is attracted to it and stays behind even in a rinse-off product. That makes it a popular conditioning agent in shampoos — including many sulfate-free and 2-in-1 formulas — as well as conditioners, co-washes and leave-ins. It leaves a thin, smooth film that improves wet combing, reduces static and frizz and gives a soft feel without oiliness.
Polyquaternium-10 is water-soluble and approved for the Curly Girl Method. Like most conditioning polymers it can accumulate slightly with very frequent use, which some people with fine or low porosity hair notice as reduced volume; an occasional clarifying wash resolves that.
Who tends to love it: people with tangle-prone curls and coils, people who wash often and want conditioning built into their cleanser, and anyone fighting static in dry weather. It's widely used and well tolerated on the skin and scalp.
How our checker rates it
| Mode | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Curly Girl | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
| Relaxed hair | Good | Conditioning agent — adds slip and helps protect damaged areas. |
| Low porosity | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
| Protein-sensitive | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
Ratings assume it is listed near the top of the label. After the first preservative or fragrance (likely 1% or less) most cautions soften.
What conditioner ingredients do
Positively charged (cationic) ingredients — quats and polyquats — that cling to damaged areas of the hair for slip, detangling and less static.
Also listed as
- polyquaternium 10
- quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose
Similar ingredients
Sources
Last data update:
- Robbins CR. Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair. 5th ed. Springer; 2012. Reference text on hair structure, surfactants, conditioning agents, protein, heat and chemical treatments.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). Ingredient safety assessments. Safety assessments for cosmetic ingredients cited on ingredient pages.
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