A cationic acrylic copolymer used for hair conditioning, regulated in Annex III.
What it is
Polyquaternium-53 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide and methacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride; the quaternary ammonium groups give it a positive charge. CosIng lists it as a hair-conditioning agent. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions), which distinguishes body leave-on products from other products.
Where it is used
Found in shampoos, conditioners and other 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. The Annex III entry concerns the residual acrylamide content of the raw material, which the label does not show.
Functions
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
EU regulation
- Product type
- (a) Body leave-on products (b) Other products
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223
Products with this ingredient (13)
- Wygładzające mleczko do włosów po keratynowym prostowaniu · Vis Plantis
- Produkty do pielęgnacji skóry z ceramidami · Cerave
- Produkty do pielęgnacji dla skóry wrażliwej · Cerave
- Produkty do pielęgnacji dla cery i skóry normalnej · Cerave
- Kremy i olejki łagodzące atopowe zapalenie skóry · Cerave
- Produkty kojące suchą skórę twarzy i ciała · Cerave
- Produkty do pielęgnacji typów skóry mieszanej · Cerave
- Kosmetyki oczyszczające i kojące do mycia ciała · Cerave
- Produkty oczyszczające, do mycia twarzy i płyny micelarne · Cerave
- Hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser · Cerave
- Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser · Kiehl's Since 1851
- Elseve Liss Caresse [MK] Shampooing perfecteur · L'Oréal