Polyquaternium-16 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a cationic conditioning polymer and film-former for hair care. It improves wet combing, reduces static, and leaves a light conditioning film on hair fibers.
What does Polyquaternium-16 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a cationic conditioning polymer and film-former for hair care. It improves wet combing, reduces static, and leaves a light conditioning film on hair fibers.
Is Polyquaternium-16 clean?
From a clean standards perspective, this ingredient has friction because it is a synthetic quaternary polymer rather than a simple biodegradable conditioning agent. It is generally low-irritation in rinse-off use, but some clean frameworks flag the broader class for persistence and aquatic-impact concerns.
Is Polyquaternium-16 sustainable?
This material is synthetic and generally derived from petrochemical monomers. Cationic polymers of this type tend to have limited biodegradability and can bind strongly to sludge and sediments, so wastewater profile is the main environmental caveat.
Is Polyquaternium-16 COSMOS-approved?
This ingredient is not permitted in COSMOS natural or organic formulas because it is a synthetic petrochemical-derived cationic polymer. Its fit with Green Chemistry is weak, since it is not readily biodegradable and relies on conventional polymer chemistry rather than renewable feedstocks.
How does Polyquaternium-16 work chemically?
The molecule is a water-soluble cationic copolymer with permanent positive charges on a vinyl backbone, which helps it adsorb onto negatively charged hair and skin surfaces. It is typically used around 0.1 to 2% active in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products, and it is generally stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges.
Last updated 2026-05-13