A synthetic cationic copolymer of acrylamide, used as a film former and antistatic, regulated in Annex III.
What it is
Polyquaternium-32 is a copolymer of acrylamide and methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride, a cationic polymer. CosIng lists it as an antistatic and film-forming ingredient. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions) for polyacrylamides.
Where it is used
Found in a small number of products, such as hair care products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits; according to the Annex III entry, they concern residual acrylamide and differ for body leave-on products and other products.
Functions
- Antistatic
- Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
- Film forming
- Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.
EU regulation
- Product type
- (a) Body leave-on products (b) Other products
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223