POLYQUATERNIUM

📋 Quick facts

Quick Facts:

• Category: other

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Polyquaternium is a polymer used in cosmetics as an antimicrobial agent, antistatic, film former, and hair fixative
• Different types (polyquaternium-6, -16, -22, -39) are used in different products at varying concentrations
• Safety assessments conclude these ingredients are safe in cosmetics at current use levels
• One type (polyquaternium-16) showed effectiveness against body odor in deodorants
• Rare cases of eye irritation have been reported with polyquaternium-1 in eye drops at high doses

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Polyquaternium refers to a family of polymers—large chain-like molecules—that share a similar chemical structure based on quaternary ammonium compounds. These ingredients perform multiple roles in skincare and cosmetic products. #1: Antimicrobial and odor-fighting properties. Polyquaternium-6 functions as an antimicrobial agent in cosmetics (Int J Toxicol, 2025). More specifically, polyquaternium-16 (PQ-16) has been studied in deodorant formulations, where it significantly reduced armpit bacterial counts and malodor intensity at 24 and 48 hours compared to a commercial deodorant, and performed comparably to aluminum chlorohydrate formulations (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2017). #2: Hair and texture benefits. Polyquaternium-6, -22, and -39 all function as antistatic agents, film formers (creating a protective layer on skin or hair), and hair fixatives in cosmetic products (Int J Toxicol, 2025; Int J Toxicol, 2016).

#3: Safety profile in skincare. Polyquaternium-6 is concluded safe in cosmetics at present practices of use and concentration (Int J Toxicol, 2025). Similarly, polyquaternium-22 and polyquaternium-39 are considered safe at their typical concentrations (up to 2% and 3% respectively in rinse-off and leave-on products), as these are large, polar molecules unlikely to be absorbed systemically (Int J Toxicol, 2016). Important limitation: The safety data available is uneven. While skin irritation and sensitization appear minimal in limited testing, complete mammalian toxicity and reproductive data are not available for all polyquaternium types (Int J Toxicol, 2016). One notable concern involves polyquaternium-1 (PQ-1) in eye drop formulations: a case report documented eye surface damage (dendritiform keratopathy) that developed after frequent use of an eye drop preservative containing PQ-1, though the damage resolved when use stopped (Cornea, 2019).

This suggests dose-dependent toxicity is possible in concentrated ophthalmic applications, though PQ-1 remains used as an eye drop preservative in clinical practice (Expert Opin Drug Deliv, 2011). Additionally, polyquaternium-6 products should be formulated to avoid formation of nitrosamines, a potentially harmful byproduct (Int J Toxicol, 2025).

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Johnson W Jr et al. (2025). Safety Assessment of Polyquaternium-6 as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol.
• Traupe B et al. (2017). Effective axillary malodour reduction by polyquaternium-16-containing deodorants. Int J Cosmet Sci.
• Verkade A et al. (2019). Polyquaternium-1-Associated Dendritiform Keratopathy. Cornea.
• Johnson W Jr et al. (2016). Safety Assessment of Polyquaternium-22 and Polyquarternium-39 as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol.
• Rolando M et al. (2011). Ophthalmic preservatives: focus on polyquaternium-1. Expert Opin Drug Deliv.

🧴 Products Containing POLYQUATERNIUM

• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS NIVEA Creme Soft Douchecrème
• Nivea Men Sensitive Shower Gel Soothing + Bamboo Extract
• Nivea NIVEA Verfrissende Reinigingsgel
• Beiersdorf, Nivea Nivea for men doccia gel energy
• Nivea, Nivea Men Cavani 9 – Gel douche hydratant originale édition limitée
• Nivea, Nivea Men NIVEA MEN sensitive peau sensible
• Nivea, Nivea Men Power Shampoo Anti-pelliculaire
• nivea baby
• Nivea Hairmilk 7 Plus
• Nivea Pure Skin Cleansing Gel
• Alcina hair & body shampoo
• Balea, dm Jeden Tag Shampoo Mango
• Balea Duschgel Jamaica Vibes
• Balea Professional, dm Blond Shampoo
• TABAC TABAC’S original bartshampoo & conditioner
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 872 Intense Red
• Henkel, Schauma, Schwarzkopf & Henkel Frucht & Vitamin Shampoo
• Henkel, Syoss Repair gezielte Reparatur 02 Spülung
• Fa men, Schwarzkopf & Henkel Duschgel Fan edition
• Henkel,Syoss Power Shampoo for Men
• AgeDefy, P&G, Pantène, Pantène Pro-V, Pantène Pro-V Expert, Pantène Pro-V Expert Collection, Procter & Gamble AgeDefy Shampooing
• Brisk 2in1-Bart-Shampoo
• Linola Forte Shampoo
• Pantene, Procter & Gamble srl Pantene Pro-V 3 in 1 Shampoo + Balsamo + trattamento
• Protane Argan Oil of Morocco
• Чистая линия фитотерапия Идеальная кожа
• Шампунь «Живая формула» (Лошадиная)
• Шампунь «Формула энергии» (Лошадиная)
• Zollider Zollider
• Natura Siberica Conditioning spray
• Hair System by Watsons Micellar Botanical Purifying Shampoo
• Ma Chérie Moisture Conditioner
• Original Source Original Source Mango
• Original Source Original Source Grüne Banane und Bambusmilch
• pure
• Leo Bancroft Blissfully Bouncy Volumising Conditioner
• ion color defense
• MyProtein Hair & body wash
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur – Hair repair – Oil Nutritive Shampoo
• Nivea Baby SHAMPOOING & BAIN HAPPY BATH