How to Use AccessQUAT BTAC80 in Your Formulations
Understanding AccessQUAT BTAC80
AccessQUAT BTAC80 is the hero ingredient behind most high-quality hair conditioners. It works because of a simple principle: opposites attract. Hair is naturally negatively charged, especially when damaged. AccessQUAT BTAC80 has a strong positive charge (which is why it’s called a “cationic” ingredient). When you apply a conditioner containing it, the positively charged molecules are drawn to the negatively charged hair shaft like a magnet. This creates a fine, silky coating on each strand that smooths the hair’s cuticle, which is what makes your hair feel soft, detangled, and free of static.
For the advanced formulator, this property is known as substantivity—the ingredient’s ability to deposit and adhere to the hair, providing long-lasting conditioning effects even after rinsing. This single ingredient is powerful enough to transform a basic formula into a high-performance conditioner that rivals professional brands. It’s also an effective emulsifier, meaning it helps hold the oil and water parts of your conditioner together, contributing to a stable, creamy final product.
Formulation Tips
For best results, use AccessQUAT BTAC80 at a concentration of 0.5% to 3%. Use the lower end (0.5–1.5%) for lightweight leave-in treatments and daily conditioners. For rich, deep-conditioning masks or products for very thick, coarse hair, you can use the higher end (1.5–3%).
AccessQUAT BTAC80 comes in a flake or pastille form and must be melted to be incorporated into your formula. Heat your oil phase or water phase to around 80–85°C (176–185°F) and add the flakes, stirring until they are completely melted and the liquid is clear. It is often combined with fatty alcohols like Cetyl Alcohol or Cetearyl Alcohol, which work together to create the classic thick, creamy texture of a conditioner and enhance its conditioning properties. This ingredient performs best in formulas with an acidic pH (between 4.0 and 6.0), which is ideal for hair care as it helps keep the hair cuticle closed and smooth.
Key Performance Benefits:
- Superior Detangling & Combability: Dramatically reduces the force needed to comb through wet or dry hair, minimizing breakage and making styling effortless.
- Controls Frizz & Reduces Static: The cationic charge neutralizes static electricity, effectively taming flyaways and controlling frizz caused by humidity.
- Silky, Soft Hair Feel: Deposits a lightweight, non-greasy film on the hair that leaves it feeling incredibly soft, smooth, and healthy.
- Plant-Derived & Effective: Derived from natural rapeseed (canola) oil, it provides a powerful, clean-beauty-friendly alternative to silicones without sacrificing performance.
- Builds Viscosity & Emulsifies: Acts as a primary emulsifier and thickener in conditioner formulas, helping you create stable, rich, and creamy products with ease.
- Improves Hair Manageability: Makes hair easier to style and manage by smoothing the cuticle and providing excellent conditioning slip.