Polyquaternium-10: Properties, Applications in Skincare and Detection Method

General Description

Polyquaternium-10 is a polymer derived from hydroxyethyl cellulose and exhibits excellent conditioning, anti-static, and hair repairing properties. Its versatility makes it essential in skincare and haircare products, where it acts as a moisturizing and conditioning agent, reducing surface tension and forming a protective barrier on the skin. In haircare, Polyquaternium-10 binds with damaged hair strands, providing conditioning effects, anti-static properties, and preventing dryness. A novel detection method using potentiometric titration with dextran sulphate offers a precise and reliable way to measure Polyquaternium-10 levels in cosmetic products, ensuring quality control and regulatory compliance.

Figure 1. Polyquaternium-10

Properties

Polyquaternium-10 is a polymer derived from the reaction of hydroxyethyl cellulose with a cationic etherifying agent. Polyquaternium-10 exhibits excellent conditioning properties, anti-static effects, hair repairing capabilities, and enhances softness and smoothness while imparting elasticity to the hair. Additionally, it reduces the potential irritation of cleansing agents on the skin. With a white or light yellow powder appearance, Polyquaternium-10 demonstrates a viscosity of 500-1000 mPas (25°C, 2% aqueous solution, using NDJ-4), nitrogen content of 1.7-2.2%, pH range of 5-7 (2% aqueous solution), ash content not exceeding 4%, light transmittance of over 98% (0.5% aqueous solution, 1 cm thickness, at 550nm wavelength), and a fineness of at least 95% through a 40-mesh sieve. As a high molecular weight cationic surfactant, Polyquaternium-10 can be compatibly blended with non-ionic or anionic surfactants to form complex ions, offering deep conditioning for hair and skin, resulting in a silky, shiny, and elastic appearance. Its quick diffusion into the stratum corneum forms a breathable, non-excessive protective film, enhancing the overall subjective quality of hair care and skincare products. ¹

Applications in skincare

Polyquaternium-10 plays a crucial role in skincare, haircare, and personal care products due to its versatile applications. In skincare products, Polyquaternium-10 serves as a conditioning agent, making the skin soft and supple. By attracting moisture from the surroundings and forming a thin film on the skin's surface, it effectively moisturizes the skin and helps retain moisture by creating a protective barrier that prevents water loss. Additionally, Polyquaternium-10 acts as a surfactant, reducing the surface tension between water and impurities, facilitating the removal of dust, dirt, and grime from the skin. In hair care, the cationic nature of Polyquaternium-10 enables it to bind with negatively charged hair strands, especially when hair is damaged or negatively charged due to styling products or treatments. Through ionic interactions, Polyquaternium-10 effectively smooths out the hair cuticle, providing excellent conditioning effects. Its anti-static properties and film-forming abilities contribute to keeping hair strands soft, smooth, silky, and well-nourished, preventing frizz and dryness. Overall, Polyquaternium-10 is an essential ingredient in various skincare and haircare products, ensuring optimal conditioning and protection for both skin and hair. ²

Detection method

Polyquaternium-10 is a commonly used ingredient in cosmetic products, particularly as a conditioner. To accurately detect levels of Polyquaternium-10, a novel method involving potentiometric titration with dextran sulphate (DS) and monitoring the equivalence point using polymeric membrane-based polyion sensors has been developed. In this method, mixtures containing Polyquaternium-10 and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are utilized as model samples to showcase the effectiveness of the approach. SLS, a common component in cosmetic formulations alongside PQ-10, can interfere with the detection of Polyquaternium-10 by the polyion sensor. However, through the use of an anion-exchange resin, SLS can be effectively separated from the PQ-10/SLS mixture, allowing for accurate Polyquaternium-10 quantification. The titration process involves the addition of dextran sulphate to the PQ-10 solution, which is then monitored by potentiometric polyanion sensors. The equivalence points obtained during the titration are directly correlated to the concentrations of Polyquaternium-10 present in the sample. This method offers a reliable and precise way to measure Polyquaternium-10 levels in cosmetic and industrial applications, ensuring quality control and regulatory compliance. ³

Reference

1. CID 71307057. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 2024; PubChem Compound Summary for CID 71307057.

2. POLYQUATERNIUM-10. CAS Number 68610-92-4.

3. Ferguson SA, Wang X, Meyerhoff ME. Detecting Levels of Polyquaternium-10 (PQ-10) via Potentiometric Titration with Dextran Sulphate and Monitoring the Equivalence Point with a Polymeric Membrane-Based Polyion Sensor. Anal Methods. 2016; 8(29): 5806-5811.

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