How to Use AccessQUAT CTAC29 in Your Formulations
What AccessQUAT CTAC29 Does
Have you ever wondered what makes a conditioner actually work? The magic is in ingredients like AccessQUAT CTAC29. It’s a cationic (positively charged) conditioning agent that helps solve common hair problems like tangles, static, and frizz.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: damaged hair has a slight negative electrical charge. AccessQUAT CTAC29 has a positive charge, and just like tiny magnets, it is attracted to the hair shaft and deposits a very thin, smoothing layer onto the surface. This layer flattens the hair cuticle (the outer “scales” of the hair), which does three amazing things: it makes hair slippery and easy to comb through (detangling), it neutralizes the electrical charge to get rid of static and flyaways, and it creates a soft, silky feeling.
For the advanced formulator, Cetrimonium Chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound that provides excellent substantivity to hair. It adsorbs onto the keratin surface, reduces inter-fiber friction, and improves the overall sensory profile of both wet and dry hair. It can also act as a co-emulsifier, helping to stabilize the oil and water phases in conditioner systems.
Formulation Tips
AccessQUAT CTAC29 is a versatile and easy-to-use liquid. For a standard daily conditioner, a usage rate of 1–3% is a great starting point. For more intensive deep conditioners or hair masks, you can increase this to 4%. For lightweight leave-in detangling sprays, use a lower concentration of 0.5–1.5%.
To use it in your formula, add AccessQUAT CTAC29 to your heated water phase (around 70–75°C / 158–167°F) and mix until uniform. It works best when combined with fatty alcohols like Cetyl Alcohol or Cetearyl Alcohol, which help to build a stable, creamy emulsion and enhance the conditioning effect.
It is stable across a wide pH range, but performs optimally in the slightly acidic pH of 4–6, which helps keep the hair cuticle smooth. Because it is cationic, avoid pairing with high levels of anionic surfactants (like those in shampoos) to prevent neutralization and loss of performance. This is why it is most effective in rinse-off conditioners rather than cleansing products.
Key Formulation Benefits:
- Superior Detangling: Creates an invisible, positively charged film that delivers excellent slip for easy wet and dry combing, helping reduce breakage.
- Eliminates Static & Frizz: Neutralizes negative charge on the hair surface to control flyaways and frizz for a smooth, polished look.
- Soft & Silky Hair Feel: Leaves hair soft, light, and manageable without heavy buildup or greasiness.
- Excellent Emulsion Stability: Functions as a co-emulsifier with fatty alcohols to create stable, creamy conditioners.
- Cost-Effective Performance: Highly efficient at low use levels, delivering noticeable conditioning benefits.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for daily conditioners, deep masks, cream rinses, and lightweight detangling sprays.