ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare (cleansers, lotions — film-former and feel)
☑ Haircare (hero conditioning polymer)
◐ Handmade Soap (liquid soap, syndet, shampoo bars; not cold-process)
☑ Cosmetics (mascaras, setting sprays, brow gels) — dual-use functional ingredient
Polyquaternium-10 is hydroxyethylcellulose — the plant-cellulose thickener — carrying quaternary ammonium (cationic) groups, which turn it into one of the most widely used conditioning polymers in haircare. Like cationic guar, it deposits on the negatively charged surface of hair and skin and forms a conditioning coacervate with anionic surfactants as a shampoo is rinsed [1, 2], but PQ-10 is prized for a lighter, cleaner feel with less buildup, excellent compatibility across surfactant systems, and reliable performance in clear formulas. It reduces wet and dry combing force, static, and flyaways, adds body and manageability, and forms a flexible film that improves the feel of skin cleansers and the wear of mascaras and setting sprays. PQ-10 is cellulose-derived and has a long history of safe use; it is a texture-and-conditioning ingredient, not a treatment active.
What is Polyquaternium-10 made of?
PQ-10 is made by reacting hydroxyethylcellulose with a quaternary epoxide, attaching cationic trimethylammonium groups along the cellulose chain. Points to know [1–3]:
- Cellulose backbone (from wood pulp/cotton): Renewable; the same polymer family as HEC.
- Cationic charge (grades from low to high nitrogen content, e.g., LR = low, JR = higher): Higher charge/molecular weight = more conditioning; lower = lighter feel.
- Coacervation with anionic surfactants: Deposits conditioning on rinse [1, 2].
- Physical form: Off-white powder; disperses in water (add slowly with agitation, or pre-mix in glycol); hydrates in 30–60 minutes; pH 3–9.
- Typical use: 0.1–0.5% shampoos and cleansers; 0.2–1% conditioners, leave-ins, styling; 0.1–0.3% cosmetics.
- Compatibility: Anionic, amphoteric, non-ionic surfactants; cationic conditioners; not with high-charge anionic polymers.**
What skin type is best suited for Polyquaternium-10?
PQ-10 is a formulation-level ingredient suitable for all seven ORY® skin types:
- All skin types: Polyquaternium-10 is a formulation-level conditioning agent rather than a skin-type active; at use levels it suits every ORY® skin type.
- Sensitive: Reduces surfactant harshness in cleansers by forming a protective film; low irritation; patch test if polymer-sensitive.
- Dry: Leaves a soft, conditioned after-feel on skin after washing.
- Oily and Acne-prone: Non-comedogenic film; rinse-off use.
- Combination, Normal, Mature: Improves cleanser mildness and after-feel.
What hair type is best suited for Polyquaternium-10?
PQ-10 is the light, clean-feeling conditioning polymer for all hair types:
- Straight and wavy: Low-charge grades add slip, body, and static control without weight.
- Dry or damaged: Reduces combing force and breakage; deposits on damaged areas [3].
- Curly and coily: Higher-charge grades for detangling in shampoos and co-washes; leave-in slip.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Smooths cuticles; reduces friction.
- Oily scalp: Conditions lengths from the shampoo; clean feel.
- Mature or thinning: Adds body and manageability to fine hair with minimal buildup.
- Sensitive and dandruff-prone scalp: Reduces surfactant harshness; mild film.
What are the benefits of Polyquaternium-10?
PQ-10’s benefits are documented in hair-science literature [1–4]:
- Wet and dry combing ease: Cationic film cuts friction and breakage [1, 3].
- Conditioning from shampoo: Coacervate deposition on rinse [1, 2].
- Light, clean feel: Less buildup than many cationic polymers.
- Body and manageability: Flexible film adds volume to fine hair.
- Anti-static and frizz control: Neutralizes charge.
- Cleanser mildness and after-feel: Protective film on skin.
- Cosmetic film-forming: Improves mascara and brow-gel hold and wear.
- Clear-formula friendly: Works in transparent shampoos and gels.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
PQ-10 serves haircare as a hero and skincare, cosmetics, and liquid/syndet soap as a film-forming conditioner; not for cold-process bars.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Facial and body cleansers, shaving products, light lotions (feel and film). |
0.1–0.3% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, detanglers, styling and volumizing products, 2-in-1s. |
0.1–0.5% shampoo; 0.2–1% leave-on/styling |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Liquid soap, syndet bars, solid shampoo bars; not cold-process bars. |
0.2–1% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Mascaras, brow gels, setting sprays, makeup-removing cleansers. |
0.1–0.5% |
Pros and cons of Polyquaternium-10
Pros
Cons
- Light, low-buildup conditioning: Fine-hair friendly.
- Broad compatibility: Most surfactant systems; clear formulas.
- Coacervate mechanism: [1, 2].
- Cellulose-derived: Renewable backbone.
- Cosmetic film-former: Mascaras and sprays.
- Synthetic modification: Not COSMOS-approved despite cellulose origin.
- Buildup at high charge/levels: Choose grade carefully; clarify periodically.
- Dispersion care: Add slowly to avoid lumps; pre-mix in glycol.
- Cold-process incompatibility: Cationic.
- No active benefit: Feel and conditioning only.
What is the best application of Polyquaternium-10?
PQ-10 is built into shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, and cosmetic bases:
- Volumizing/conditioning shampoo: 0.2–0.3% low-charge grade; disperse in water, add surfactants, pH 5.5.
- Conditioner or leave-in: 0.3–0.5% with BTMS.
- Styling cream or gel: 0.5–1% for hold and slip.
- Facial or body cleanser: 0.1–0.2%.
- Liquid soap or shampoo bar: 0.3–1%.
- Cosmetics: 0.2–0.3% in mascara or setting spray.
Peer-reviewed references
- Hössel P, Dieing R, Nörenberg R, Pfau A, Sander R. Conditioning polymers in today’s shampoo formulations – efficacy, mechanism and test methods. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2000;22(1):1–10.
- Goddard ED. Polymer/surfactant interaction: interfacial aspects. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2002;256(1):228–235.
- Robbins CR. Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair. 5th ed. Springer; 2012. (Reference text on hair conditioning and polymer deposition.)
- Gavazzoni Dias MFR. Hair cosmetics: an overview. International Journal of Trichology. 2015;7(1):2–15.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about polyquaternium-10 as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, dermatitis, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. This ingredient is rarely irritating at use levels. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
