AccessGUAR CAT-500

Cationic Conditioning Agent for Weightless Volume and Enhanced Deposition

INCI Name: Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

AccessGUAR CAT-500 is a naturally-derived cationic conditioning agent that provides excellent detangling and softening without buildup. Its low-viscosity profile makes it ideal for weightless, volumizing shampoos and lightweight conditioners. It also acts as a powerful deposition aid, enhancing the delivery of silicones, oils, and other actives onto the hair shaft for superior performance.

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Volumizing Shampoos

Provides effective conditioning and detangling without weighing down fine hair, leaving it feeling soft, clean, and full of body.
Lightweight Rinse-Off Conditioners

Creates smooth, easy-to-comb-through conditioners that rinse away cleanly, preventing the buildup that can flatten hair.
Leave-In Detangling Sprays

Offers superior slip and reduces combing force on wet or dry hair, minimizing breakage while remaining lightweight.
2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoos

Effectively deposits conditioning agents and other actives onto the hair from a cleansing system for a convenient, one-step wash.
Anti-Dandruff or Medicated Shampoos

Improves the deposition of active ingredients like Zinc Pyrithione or Salicylic Acid onto the scalp and hair for maximum efficacy.
Body Washes & Shower Gels

Adds a soft, conditioned after-feel to skin in cleansing formulations, leaving it feeling smooth and moisturized.

How to Use AccessGUAR CAT-500 in Your Formulations

What AccessGUAR CAT-500 Does

Think of AccessGUAR CAT-500 as a smart, weightless conditioner. Hair fibers carry a slight negative charge—especially when damaged—while this ingredient is positively charged. That “magnetic” attraction helps it deposit a very thin, even film on the hair surface, smoothing the cuticle to reduce frizz, improve slip, and make combing easier without leaving heavy residue.

What sets it apart is its low aqueous viscosity and clean-rinsing profile—so you get softness and detangling without the buildup that can flatten fine hair. Beyond conditioning, AccessGUAR CAT-500 is an excellent deposition aid, helping silicones, nourishing oils, and actives (including anti-dandruff agents) anchor to the hair and scalp for better performance instead of washing away.

Formulation Tips

AccessGUAR CAT-500 is a cold-water dispersible powder. To avoid clumps, sprinkle it slowly into a strong water vortex with good agitation. Mix until fully hydrated (you’ll notice a slight thickening) before adding surfactants or heating the batch.

Typical use level is 0.2–0.5% for volumizing shampoos and lightweight conditioners; for stronger conditioning or added suspension, use up to 2.0%. It performs across a broad pH range (≈3–11). Because it is cationic, it pairs well with non-ionic, amphoteric, and other cationic ingredients. While very high levels of anionic surfactants can reduce compatibility, in standard shampoo systems it works beautifully to soften cleanse, enhance foam feel, and deposit conditioning agents.

Key Formulation Benefits:

Weightless Conditioning: Provides excellent detangling and softness without heavy buildup—ideal for fine or oily hair types and volumizing systems.
Enhanced Active Deposition: Improves delivery of silicones, oils, and anti-dandruff actives to hair and scalp for boosted efficacy.
Reduces Static & Frizz: Smooths the cuticle to control flyaways and enhance manageability and polish.
Natural & Biodegradable: Plant-derived from guar and biodegradable, supporting clean and sustainable claims.
Improves Foam Quality: Contributes to a richer, creamier lather in shampoos and body washes.
Easy & Versatile: Cold-water dispersible and effective over a wide pH range for flexible use in hair and skin cleansing products.

Heading #1
Benefits	Biodegradable, Clean & Natural, Detangling, Frizz Control, Hair Care Benefits, Lightweight Feel, Long-Lasting Effect, Natural Derived, Performance Enhancement, Texture & Sensory
INCI Name	Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Usage Rate	0.2%-2%
Functional Type	Cationic Conditioning Agents, Conditioning Agents, Film Formers & Fixatives, Natural Gums & Polysaccharides, Thickeners & Rheology Modifiers
Phase Compatibility	Water Phase
Application Area	Body, Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability	Cleansers, Conditioners, Hair Styling, Masks & Treatments, Shampoos
Certifications	Biodegradable, Cruelty-Free, Naturally Derived, Vegan
Physical Form	Powder

Frequently Asked Questions About AccessGUAR CAT-500

It’s a multi-tasker. It conditions hair for softness and easy combing without weight, and it helps beneficial ingredients like oils, silicones, or scalp-care actives deposit onto hair and scalp so they work better.

Start at 0.2–0.5% for volumizing shampoos and lightweight conditioners. For more intensive conditioning or added suspension, use up to 2%.

Sprinkle the powder slowly into a strong water vortex under good mixing. Add into the side of the vortex for even dispersion and mix until fully hydrated before adding surfactants or heating.

No. Its low-viscosity, clean-rinsing profile provides conditioning that doesn’t accumulate, helping maintain volume and freshness over repeated use.

Yes. It delivers slip and softness without weight, supporting lift and fullness in fine hair types.

Absolutely. It’s derived from the guar bean and is biodegradable—an excellent fit for high-performance formulations with strong natural credentials.

AccessGUAR CAT-500 is a plant-derived cationic polymer that adds conditioning, light thickening, and deposition—especially well suited to shampoos. Behentrimonium Chloride is typically used as the primary conditioner in rinse-off conditioners rather than directly in cleansing systems.

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