Polyquaternium-28 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a cationic film-former and conditioning polymer, used mainly in hair products to improve combability, reduce static, add hold, and leave a smooth feel.
What does Polyquaternium-28 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a cationic film-former and conditioning polymer, used mainly in hair products to improve combability, reduce static, add hold, and leave a smooth feel.
Is Polyquaternium-28 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is a synthetic quaternary polymer rather than a simple biodegradable conditioner. It is generally low in direct irritation at cosmetic use levels, but some standards scrutinize this class for persistence and aquatic fate.
Is Polyquaternium-28 sustainable?
This material is typically petrochemical-derived and not readily biodegradable. In wastewater, cationic polymers can bind to solids and may be removed into sludge rather than breaking down quickly.
Is Polyquaternium-28 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. Its Green Chemistry alignment is weak because it relies on synthetic polymer chemistry, nonrenewable feedstocks, and limited biodegradability.
How does Polyquaternium-28 work chemically?
The molecule is a water-soluble cationic copolymer with permanent quaternary ammonium charge sites that deposit onto negatively charged hair and skin surfaces. It is commonly used at low active levels, often around 0.1% to 2%, and formulators manage compatibility carefully because strongly anionic systems can reduce clarity or cause complexing.
Last updated 2026-05-13