Application of Polyquaternium-10 in Shampoos
2025-09-04
Polyquaternium-10，Our trade name is SQ-QUAT 3000，also known as JR3000,POLYQUTA 3000, it's an essential cationic conditioning polymer in the hair care industry. It provides excellent smoothness during the wet hair phase and imparts softness and shine when the hair is dry. This review focuses on the SQ-QUAT 3000 launched by ShengQing, comparing it with the Market Product 3000. From raw material parameters to the final formula experience, this review aims to provide formulators with a practical reference for selecting the right ingredient.
What is Polyquaternium-10?
Polyquaternium-10is a water-soluble cationic polymer widely used in personal care products, especially in hair and skin care applications. It is compatible with all types of surfactants and offers excellent thickening properties, colloidal stability, and significant conditioning benefits for both hair and skin.
Features of Polyquaternium-10
1. Enhances Hair Care
Polyquaternium-10 binds to hair fibers, repairing split ends and tangles, smoothing the cuticle, and reducing frizz, leaving hair smoother and softer. It significantly improves both wet and dry combability, making hair easier to manage, reducing static, and giving hair a healthier appearance.
2. Protects and Restores Shine to Hair
As a high-quality hair care ingredient, Polyquaternium-10 forms a transparent, uniform, and non-tacky protective film that provides long-lasting moisture and protection to hair, reducing damage caused by regular washing and environmental factors.
3. Reduces Skin Irritation
Polyquaternium-10 is gentle on the skin and helps reduce irritation caused by surfactants. It restores the skin’s natural protective barrier, leaving the skin soft and hydrated.
4. Excellent Compatibility with Other Ingredients
Polyquaternium-10 is compatible with anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants, making it suitable for a wide range of hair and skin care formulations, making it an indispensable component in personal care products.
Applications of Polyquaternium-10
1. Hair Care Products
Polyquaternium-10 is widely used in 2-in-1 shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, styling sprays, and other products. It effectively repairs damaged hair, reduces frizz, and enhances the smoothness and combability of the hair.
2. Skin Care Products
In skin care, Polyquaternium-10 acts as a conditioning agent, retaining moisture and forming a protective barrier to prevent water loss. It is ideal for use in creams, lotions, and other products, providing long-lasting hydration, leaving the skin soft and smooth.
3. Skin Cleansing and Care
Polyquaternium-10's gentle properties make it an ideal ingredient for facial cleansers and body wash products, helping to reduce dryness and discomfort while providing a comfortable user experience.
Test Sample's Basic parameter of Polyquaternium-10 and Market product
| Item | SQ-QUAT 3000 | Market product 3000 |
| Appearance | Light yellow powder | Light yellow powder |
| Odor | Characteristic | Characteristic |
| pH (1% soln) | 5.72 | 5.80 |
| Loss on drying (%) | 4.1 | 3.8 |
| Ash (%) | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| Nitrogen (%) | 1.92 | 1.74 |
| Viscosity(1%soln., 25℃, mPa.s) | 1730 | 1350 |
| Clarity (1% soln. ) | 98.5 | 97.4 |
The color of 1% soln. Market product 3000 is more yellowish compared to SQ-QUAT 3000.
Formula test--Basic Shampoo Formula
| Phase | INCI Name | Content/% |
| A | Water | To 100 |
| Sodium laureth sulfate (70%) | 18.0 | |
| B | SQ-QUAT 3000 / Marketed product 3000 | 0.2 |
| Water | 10.0 | |
| C | Cocamidopropyl Betaine | 4.0 |
| Cocamide DEA | 2.5 | |
| D | Sodium Chloride | Q.S. |
| DMDM Hydantoin | 0.3 | |
| Fragrance | Q.S. | |
| Citric Acid (adjust pH to 5.8-6.2) | Q.S. |
Sensory Feeling Result - Half Head Test
Subjects: 10 Asian females, aged 20-35, with shoulder-length hair and moderate damage.
Evaluation Dimensions: Wet combing resistance, wet hair softness, dry combing resistance, dry hair smoothness, shine.
Rating Scale: 1-5 points, with 5 being the best.
Test Summary
SQ-QUAT 3000 shows higher clarity compared to Market product 3000, when used in basic shampoo formulas, it shows better clarity and better smoothness and softness in wet hair, while Market product 3000 has better dry hair smoothness effect.
Note:
The test results and formula used are based on our understanding of the products, and the formula used is a basic formula to show the function of the conditioner itself, the Polyquaternium-10’s function will be affected by other conditioners in the system.
