What it is
In the register’s words: “Polycitronellol Acetate is the reaction product of acetic anhydride with the polymer of Citronellol.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- POLYCITRONELLOL ACETATE
- CAS number
- 2417284-25-2
- EC number
- -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Polycitronellol Acetate in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Hair conditioning
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The register’s hair role for ingredients that make hair feel softer, smoother or easier to comb. Most conditioners, masks and leave-ins list several.
Register definition: “Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.”
- Hair waving or straightening
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The register’s role for ingredients that can change the hair’s structure in a perm or relaxer. None of the products here is a perm or relaxer; an ingredient with this role is usually on their labels for another listed use.
Register definition: “Modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required (permanent waves or hair straightening).”
- Emollient
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Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Humectant
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Holds water in the product and on the surface it touches. Glycerin, honey and aloe are common humectants on curly-hair labels.
Register definition: “Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.”
- Fragrance
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Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
- Skin humectant
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Draws water into the top layers of skin. Glycerin-type ingredients carry it alongside the plain humectant role.
Register definition: “Increasing the water content of the top layers of the skin. Humectants are primarily hygroscopic agents drawing moisture from the surrounding air.”
- Occlusive
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Forms a layer that slows water loss. Heavier oils, butters and waxes carry it.
Register definition: “Retarding the evaporation of water from the skin surface. Occlusives are generally lipids which tend to remain on the skin surface and thus increase the water content of skin.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Heat protectants without it
Every label, product by product (2)
- Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 21st of 38 names
- Curlsmith Curlshield Cream Heat protectant 11th of 37 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other hair conditioning ingredients on these labels
- Glycerin 131 labels
- Panthenol 72 labels
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil 69 labels
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate 38 labels
- Caprylyl Glycol 37 labels
- Behentrimonium Chloride 34 labels
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine 34 labels
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil 34 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.