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AccessQUAT 90L

Cationic Conditioning Agent & Thickener for Clear Formulations

INCI Name: Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride

AccessQUAT 90L is a high-performance cationic conditioning agent that delivers powerful detangling and antistatic benefits while simultaneously thickening water-based formulations. Based on Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, it is uniquely compatible with anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants, making it ideal for crystal-clear shampoos, conditioners, and body washes without sacrificing performance or stability.

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Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

  • Clear Conditioning Shampoos
    Builds viscosity to create a rich, luxurious lather while providing noticeable conditioning and anti-static benefits, all without causing cloudiness.
  • Rinse-Off Hair Conditioners
    Provides excellent wet and dry combability, leaving hair soft, smooth, and manageable by effectively neutralizing static charge on the hair shaft.
  • Leave-In Detangling Sprays
    Creates lightweight, non-greasy sprays that offer superior slip for easy detangling, helping to reduce breakage from brushing and styling.
  • Hair Masks & Deep Treatments
    Delivers substantive conditioning to damaged hair cuticles, improving texture, reducing frizz, and restoring a healthy, silky feel.
  • Sulfate-Free Cleansing Systems
    Offers robust performance and compatibility in gentle, sulfate-free formulas, co-thickening the system while reducing the irritation potential of anionic surfactants.
  • Conditioning Body Washes
    Adds a soft, conditioned after-feel to skin and enhances the thickness of body wash formulations, creating a more premium sensory experience.

How to Use AccessQUAT 90L in Your Formulations

Understanding AccessQUAT 90L

AccessQUAT 90L is a true multi-tasker for hair care formulators. At its core, it’s a conditioning agent. When hair becomes tangled and frizzy, it’s often due to static electricity and raised, damaged cuticles on the hair shaft. Thanks to its positive charge, AccessQUAT 90L is attracted to the negatively charged surface of damaged hair. It forms a thin, smooth film that neutralizes static, helps lay the cuticles flat, and makes hair instantly easier to comb.

But it does more than condition—it also builds viscosity in water-based systems such as shampoos and body washes. This lets you achieve that rich, honey-like texture without relying on separate rheology modifiers. A standout feature is its ability to maintain crystal clarity in surfactant systems, enabling modern clear shampoos and cleansers. It is broadly compatible with anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants, which is uncommon for cationic ingredients.

Formulation Tips

Use AccessQUAT 90L at 1–4%. For conditioning shampoos or body washes, 1–2% typically provides effective thickening plus a conditioning boost. For rinse-off or leave-in conditioners where detangling and slip are priorities, 2–4% delivers more noticeable softness and combability.

Add AccessQUAT 90L to the water phase. It dissolves in cold water with adequate mixing, but gentle heating of the water phase (around 40–50°C / 104–122°F) accelerates dissolution. Mix until the solution is clear and uniform before combining with other phases. It performs well across a typical hair- and skin-friendly pH range of 4–7 and remains compatible with anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactant systems—including sulfate-free cleansers.

Key Formulation Benefits:

  • Superior Conditioning & Detangling: Provides excellent wet and dry combing slip to reduce breakage.
  • Builds Viscosity in Cleansers: Thickens shampoos and body washes to create rich, luxurious textures without extra rheology aids.
  • Creates Crystal-Clear Formulas: Maintains clarity in surfactant systems for clear shampoos, gels, and serums.
  • Broad Surfactant Compatibility: Works with anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants for formulation flexibility.
  • Reduces Static & Frizz: Neutralizes charge on hair to control flyaways and enhance smoothness.
  • Plant-Derived & Biodegradable: Vegetable-derived performance with an improved environmental profile.
Heading #1
Benefits
Detangling, Formulation Versatility, Frizz Control, Hair Care Benefits, Multi-Functional, Rich & Luxurious, Texture & Sensory
INCI Name
Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Usage Rate
1%-4%
Functional Type
Cationic Conditioning Agents, Conditioning Agents, Rheology Modifiers, Thickeners & Rheology Modifiers
Phase Compatibility
Water Phase
Application Area
Body, Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability
Bath Products, Cleansers, Conditioners, Hair Styling, Masks & Treatments, Shampoos
Certifications
Biodegradable, Cruelty-Free, Naturally Derived, Vegan
Physical Form
Liquid

Frequently Asked Questions About AccessQUAT 90L

It does two main things: it conditions hair to make it soft and easy to comb, and it thickens your product. It’s perfect for making a 2-in-1 conditioning shampoo or a rich, detangling conditioner.
A good starting point is 1–2% for shampoos where you want a conditioning boost and some thickening. For a dedicated conditioner or a detangling spray, use around 2–4% for noticeable slip and softness.
Yes, absolutely. It will thicken your shampoo and add conditioning benefits without causing cloudiness, enabling crystal-clear formulas.
Add it to the water phase. It will dissolve in cold water with mixing, but it dissolves faster if you gently warm the water phase (about 40–50°C / 104–122°F). Mix until fully clear before adding other ingredients.
No. It is a cationic conditioning agent (not a silicone) that provides smoothing and detangling by electrostatic attraction to hair. It’s ideal for creating high-performance silicone-free products.
Yes. Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride is widely used in hair care and is gentle on hair and scalp at recommended usage levels. It effectively reduces combing-related damage.

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AccessQUAT 90L

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