Polyquaternium-22

Polyquaternium-22 (CAS 53694-17-0) is a cationic copolymer for conditioning, film formation and rheology control. Also known as the DADMAC/acrylic acid copolymer.

Where is Polyquaternium-22 used?

• Hair care: conditioning film on the hair shaft during shampooing, improving wet combability and reducing static
• Skin care: moisturizing and film-forming agent in lotions, gels and toners, supporting humectancy and texture modification
• Textile processing: surface modifier improving fiber feel and antistatic performance in finishing baths
• Paper and leather: enhances surface adhesion and modifies substrate charge during wet-end or coating operations
• Its cationic charge density binds to negatively charged surfaces, enabling durable deposition in rinse-off and leave-on systems.

Good to know: Cationic charge density makes it effective at binding to negatively charged surfaces.

Commercial specifications

• Active polymer content typically around 35–40%