AccessQUAT PQ-550

Cationic Conditioning Agent for Silky, Frizz-Free Hair & Skin

INCI Name: Polyquaternium-7

AccessQUAT PQ-550 is a highly effective cationic conditioning agent (INCI: Polyquaternium-7) that elevates the performance and sensory of hair and skin care products. It delivers excellent detangling, frizz control, and softness for hair, while imparting a smooth, moisturized after-feel in cleansers. Ideal for shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers at 0.2–5%.

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Conditioning Shampoos

Improves wet and dry combing, enhances foam stability, and leaves hair soft and manageable straight from the wash.
Rinse-Off & Leave-In Conditioners

Delivers exceptional detangling and frizz control, leaving hair silky and smooth without buildup or heaviness.
Facial & Body Cleansers

Adds a luxurious slip during use and a soft, moisturized post-rinse feel, reducing the tightness some cleansers can cause.
Detangling Sprays

Creates lightweight sprays that make combing through wet or dry hair easier, helping to minimize breakage.
Shaving Creams & Gels

Enhances razor glide and provides a smooth skin feel during and after shaving to help reduce irritation.
Liquid Hand Soaps & Body Washes

Leaves skin feeling soft and conditioned, counteracting the drying effects of cleansing for a comfortable after-feel.

How to Use AccessQUAT PQ-550 in Your Formulations

Understanding AccessQUAT PQ-550

AccessQUAT PQ-550, or Polyquaternium-7, is a go-to ingredient when you want silky conditioning and a smooth, luxurious feel in hair and skin products. Because it carries a positive (cationic) charge, it is attracted to the slightly negative charge of hair and skin. This attraction allows it to form a thin, uniform film that delivers noticeable benefits.

For hair, this film helps to smooth and align the cuticle, improving wet and dry combing, reducing frizz and static, and enhancing softness—without heavy buildup. In facial and body cleansers, it imparts a moisturized, conditioned after-feel, reducing post-wash tightness while also helping to stabilize foam for a richer, creamier lather.

For the chemistry-minded: Polyquaternium-7 is a copolymer of acrylamide and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC). Its cationic nature confers high substantivity to keratin surfaces, enabling conditioning effects that persist even after rinse-off.

Formulation Tips

Typical usage is 0.2% for a light touch up to 5% for intensive conditioning. For most shampoos and conditioners, 1–3% is an excellent starting point. AccessQUAT PQ-550 is a water-soluble liquid that can be added directly to the water phase in both cold-process and hot-process systems. Mix until fully incorporated before proceeding.

It is highly compatible with non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants (e.g., Cocamidopropyl Betaine). While it generally works well with many anionic surfactants, high concentrations of certain anionics can sometimes cause haze—so bench test to confirm clarity if a transparent product is desired. Best performance is typically observed between pH 4 and 9.

Key Formulation Benefits:

Superior Detangling & Combability: Noticeably reduces combing force on wet and dry hair, minimizing friction and helping prevent breakage.
Luxurious Skin & Hair Feel: Delivers a smooth, velvety, non-greasy finish that elevates product sensory.
Effective Frizz & Static Control: Forms a lightweight film that tames flyaways and helps maintain a polished look even in humidity.
Enhanced Foam Quality: Creates a richer, denser, and more stable lather in shampoos and body washes.
No Buildup: Provides lasting conditioning benefits without weighing hair down.
Versatile & Easy to Use: Water-soluble and simple to incorporate across shampoos, conditioners, gels, cleansers, and emulsions.

Heading #1
Benefits	Detangling, Frizz Control, Hair Care Benefits, Lightweight Feel, Smooth Spreadability, Texture & Sensory
INCI Name	Polyquaternium-7
Usage Rate	0.2%-5%
Functional Type	Cationic Conditioning Agents, Conditioning Agents, Sensory Modifiers, Substantive Conditioning Polymers, Texture Enhancers
Phase Compatibility	Water Phase
Application Area	Body, Face, Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability	Bath Products, Cleansers, Conditioners, Creams & Lotions, Gels, Masks & Treatments, Shampoos
Certifications	Cruelty-Free, Vegan
Physical Form	Liquid

Frequently Asked Questions About AccessQUAT PQ-550

AccessQUAT PQ-550 is a conditioning agent. In hair products, it improves combability, reduces frizz, and adds softness. In skin cleansers, it leaves a smooth, moisturized after-feel instead of tightness or dryness.

Start at 1–3% for most shampoos, conditioners, and body washes. Use as low as 0.2% for a light effect or up to 5% for intensive treatments or detanglers.

Add it to the water phase. It’s fully water-soluble and works in both cold-process and heated formulas.

Yes. In solid syndet bars, incorporate it into the melted surfactant phase at a low percentage (about 1–2%), then process as usual.

No. Polyquaternium-7 is a synthetic polymer valued for its excellent performance and well-established safety profile.

No. It provides slip and conditioning without heavy buildup, leaving hair light, bouncy, and manageable.

“Quat” refers to cationic conditioning agents. Polyquaternium-7 is known for excellent all-around conditioning, great slip, and softness without being heavy—making it extremely versatile across formats.

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