Encyclopedia · conditioning agent
Polyquaternium-10
A positively charged cellulose polymer that coats hair during shampooing, easing wet combing and helping deliver silicones, with some build-up risk.
What it is
Hydroxyethylcellulose with positively charged ammonium groups. "Polyquaternium" is a numbered label for a family of unrelated cationic polymers, and polyquaternium-10 is among the oldest and most used in shampoos and conditioners.
How it works
It sticks to hair through a few charged sites, while uncharged sections form loops away from the fibre that cut friction between strands. In a BASF study with sulfate shampoos, polyquaternium-7, -10 and -11, cationic guar and polyquaternium-44 all improved overall performance by combing force, sensory tests and microscopy. Polyquaternium-10 "can also be removed from the hair after rinsing with anionic surfactant", but did not match polyquaternium-44 for wet combing and feel. Hössel 2000 BASF supplies polyquaternium-44, which is a potential conflict.
What the studies show
- Polyquaternium-10 improved shampoo conditioning and was removable, though below polyquaternium-44. Hössel 2000
- For a related cationic cellulose (polyquaternium-67), silicone co-deposition rose sharply once charge density exceeded 1.45 meq/g, in a Dow/Amerchol study. Drovetskaya 2007
Side effects and safety
We found no hair-safety concern, and irritation is rare. Build-up on low-porosity or fine hair is a practical issue, not a toxicological one.
Bottom line
Useful for easier wet detangling and softer hair in shampoos and conditioners, and neutral to mildly good for all hair types. Clarify if hair feels coated. We are moderately sure of the combing benefit and unsure about anything else.
Studies 2
Hossel P et al. Conditioning polymers in today's shampoo formulations: efficacy, mechanism and test methods. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2000
Result: Polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium-10 and cationic guar all improved combing, but differed in build-up and removability.
Read the study ↗Drovetskaya TV et al. New high-charge density hydrophobically modified cationic HEC polymers. J Cosmet Sci. 2007
Tested: hydrophobically modified cationic hydroxyethylcellulose (polyquaternium-67 type)
Result: Silicone co-deposition improved sharply once charge density exceeded 1.45 meq/g.
Read the study ↗Related
- Polyquaternium-7A synthetic positively charged copolymer used in shampoos and rinse-offs to improve wet combing and feel.
- Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chlorideA plant-derived cationic polymer used in conditioning shampoos and "natural" conditioners to ease wet combing; it can build up on hair.
- Behentrimonium chlorideA long-chain, positively charged conditioning ingredient that clings to hair and detangles it, with good lab evidence for smoothing and none for repair.
- How conditioner worksRinse-off conditioner coats hair with a positively charged layer that cuts friction and tangling; it does not repair structural damage.