Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed soy protein (inci)

Quaternium (see also Polyquaternium) refers to complex quaternary ammonium compounds. Quaternary ammonium compounds, also called quats, have quaternary nitrogen atoms, i.e. all four hydrogen atoms of the ammonium ion (nitrogen atom) are replaced by organic residues. The compounds are therefore cationic, i.e. they have a positive charge. "hydrolzyed soy protein" refers to a protein hydrolysate from soya which is obtained by controlled, enzymatic hydrolysis.

Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed soy protein is used in cosmetic formulations. The mixture acts as an antistatic agent (reduces static charges by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface of e.g. hair) and hair conditioning agent (makes hair easy to comb, smooth, soft and shiny and gives it volume).