Product Overview
Polyquaternium-10 is a cationic polymer supplied by EZ Elements as a light-yellow powder. It carries a positive charge, which allows it to adhere readily to hair and skin, both of which carry a slight negative charge, giving it strong substantivity as a conditioning agent.
Formulators use Polyquaternium-10 for its combination of conditioning, antistatic, and film-forming properties, along with its ability to build viscosity in a formulation, often reducing or eliminating the need for a separate thickener.
Why It Is a Go-To Conditioning Polymer
Polyquaternium-10 has held a place in hair and skin care formulation for decades, and its performance profile explains why.
- Strong substantivity to hair and skin. Its cationic charge allows it to adhere to keratin surfaces, supporting conditioning benefits that persist through rinsing.
- Improves wet and dry combability. It is widely used to reduce tangling and breakage, and to support curl retention in curly and textured hair formulations.
- Antistatic and film-forming. Beyond conditioning, it helps reduce static and forms a light film that supports smoothness and manageability.
- Builds viscosity. Its thickening effect can reduce or remove the need for an auxiliary thickener in some formulations.
- Can be used in formulations containing anionic and amphoteric surfactants, making it easier to incorporate into existing shampoo and cleanser systems.
Key Features & Benefits
- Cationic polymer with strong substantivity to hair and skin.
- Supports wet combability, manageability, and curl retention.
- Contributes antistatic and film-forming properties to finished formulations.
- Builds viscosity, reducing reliance on a separate thickening system.
- Can be used in formulations containing anionic and amphoteric surfactants.
Applications
Polyquaternium-10 is primarily a personal care ingredient, used across hair and skin care formulation categories served by EZ Elements.
- Shampoos, where it conditions hair and improves wet combability without weighing hair down
- Conditioners and hair rinses, both rinse-off and leave-on
- Hair gels and styling products, where it supports manageability and curl retention
- Body washes and skin care formulations, where its film-forming properties support a smooth skin feel
Technical Specifications
The specifications below reflect the Analysis Report section of the Certificate of Analysis for this product. Additional technical details, including recommended use level, will be added once the Technical Data Sheet is available.
| Property | Analysis Report Result |
| Appearance (25°C) | Light yellow powder |
| Viscosity (25°C, 2% solution, mPa·s, #230 r/m, DV-1+PRO) | 435 |
| Nitrogen Content (wt%) | 1.95 |
| Loss on Drying (wt%) | 4.62 |
| pH Value (2% aqueous solution) | 5.79 |
| Ash Content (850°C/2h, wt%) | 2.17 |
Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier
EZ Elements supplies Polyquaternium-10 with documentation and consistency, supporting hair and skin care formulators across Canada.
- Full documentation including Certificate of Analysis (COA), with Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available
- Available in a range of package sizes with transparent, competitive pricing
- Technical support on formulation guidance for your specific application
Safety & Storage Guidelines
- Store in a closed container in a dry place at room temperature.
- Keep the container tightly sealed between uses to prevent moisture absorption.
- For external use only in finished cosmetic formulations.
- Conduct compatibility testing when combining with new surfactant systems.
Complete handling, first aid, and disposal instructions are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Polyquaternium-10 used for?
It is used as a conditioning, antistatic, and film-forming polymer in shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, and body washes, and it also helps build viscosity in these formulations.
Q2: How does Polyquaternium-10 condition hair?
Its cationic charge allows it to adhere to hair, which carries a slight negative charge, particularly on damaged areas. This helps smooth the hair surface, improve combability, and reduce static.
Q3: Can Polyquaternium-10 replace a separate thickener?
In some formulations, yes. It builds viscosity on its own, which can reduce or remove the need for an auxiliary thickener, though this depends on the rest of the formulation.
Q4: What ingredients is Polyquaternium-10 commonly used alongside?
It is frequently combined with surfactants such as CAPB and Decyl Glucoside in shampoo and body wash formulations.
Q5: Where can I buy Polyquaternium-10 in Canada?
Polyquaternium-10 is available directly from EZ Elements in a range of package sizes, with supply options for hair and skin care formulators across Canada. Visit our website to view current promotions and offers.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredients are commonly used alongside Polyquaternium-10 in hair and skin care formulations:
- CAPB (Cocoamidopropyl Betaine 35%) A mild amphoteric surfactant frequently paired with Polyquaternium-10 in shampoo and body wash formulations.
- Decyl Glucoside A gentle nonionic surfactant used in mild cleansing formulations, including sensitive-skin and baby-care products.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy Polyquaternium-10 in Canada? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and available package sizes. Visit our website to view current promotions and offers. We supply formulators across Canada.
