Polyquaternium-28 (inci)

"Polyquaternium" means a synthetic polymer, a complex quaternary ammonium compound in which, as in "quaternium compounds", all 4 hydrogen atoms of the ammonium ion are replaced by organic side chains. The different representatives of the polyquaternium group are distinguished by trailing digits depending on the degree of polymerization.

Polyquaternium-28 is a substance which is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as an antistatic agent (reduces static charges by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface, e.g. of hair), combability aid (reduces or prevents tangling of the hair due to changes or damage on the hair surface and thus improves combability) and as a film former (forms a film on skin, hair or nails when applied).

The molecules of polyquaternium compounds are positively charged. During washing and care, they attach themselves to the (negatively charged) hair shaft and thus form a coherent film (film former) on surfaces such as hair or fingernails. This makes the hair appear smoother and easier to comb. This desired "magnetic effect" has the disadvantage that the substances weigh down the hair with each wash by adding new layers of polyquaternium. This results in a "build-up effect". Such coating effects also occur with the silicone compounds.