A quaternary ammonium compound used in hair conditioning.
What it is
Quaternium-18 is a mixture of dimethyl quaternary ammonium chlorides with two long alkyl chains derived, according to CosIng, from hydrogenated tallow. CosIng lists it as an antistatic agent, hair-conditioning agent and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in hair conditioners, hair masks and leave-in hair 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.
It is a different ingredient from Quaternium-18 Bentonite and Quaternium-18 Hectorite, which are clays modified with this compound.
Functions
- Antistatic
- Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
- 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.
- Surfactant – cleansing
- Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.
Products with this ingredient (9)
- Frizz Shield Spray · Moroccanoil
- Herbal Essences Bio Renew Coco Milk & Aloe Leave IN 270mL · Herbal
- Pantene Frizz Control Smoothing Leave-In Hair Cream 270mL · Pantene
- Trockenshampoo · Basler
- Aussie Balsam Miracle Moist 90ml · PROCTER & GAMBLE NORGE AS
- Aussie Hårkur 3 min. Miracle Reconstructor 75ml · PROCTER & GAMBLE NORGE AS
- Aussie Balsam Miracle Moist 400ml · PROCTER & GAMBLE NORGE AS
- Oil replacement · Pantene
- 3 Minute Miracle Shine · Aussie