What it is
In the register’s words: “Cellulose, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonium)propoxy)ethyl ether, chloride; Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl 2-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propoxy]ethyl 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether, chloride Cellulose, ether with alpha-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl]-omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), chloride.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- POLYQUATERNIUM-10
- CAS number
- 81859-24-7 / 53568-66-4 / 54351-50-7 / 55353-19-0 / 68610-92-4 / 81859-24-7
- EC number
- *617-262-2 / *611-015-2 / - / - / *614-667-6 / -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Polyquaternium-10 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.
- Antistatic
-
Cuts the static that makes dry hair fly away. Many conditioning ingredients carry this role too, because both work at the hair’s surface.
Register definition: “Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.”
- Film forming
-
Leaves a thin, continuous film on the hair as it dries. Polymers in gels and foams carry it; the film is what feels like a cast.
Register definition: “Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.”
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.
- Shampoos 8 labels First five names: 0 of 8 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 8 labels First five names: 0 of 8 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 2 labels First five names: 1 of 2 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Protein treatments without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Heat protectants without it
Every label, product by product (30)
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo Shampoo 7th of 31 names
- OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Shampoo Shampoo 30th of 78 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Shampoo Shampoo 9th of 22 names
- Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo Shampoo 11th of 24 names
- tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo Shampoo 14th of 24 names
- Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo Shampoo 18th of 28 names
- Camille Rose Curl Love Shampoo Shampoo 12th of 16 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Shampoo Shampoo 18th of 23 names
- Cécred Detoxifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 7th of 38 names
- Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 8th of 31 names
- Curlsmith Curl Reset Detox Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 13th of 27 names
- Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 9th of 16 names
- DevaCurl Buildup Buster Clarifying shampoo 14th of 22 names
- Camille Rose Clean Rinse Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 22nd of 34 names
- Maui Moisture Scalp Care Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying shampoo 23rd of 34 names
- PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 26th of 34 names
- Cécred Hydrating Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 11th of 50 names
- Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 15th of 26 names
- Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 24th of 41 names
- PATTERN Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 18th of 26 names
- Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher Deep conditioner 25th of 36 names
- Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream Leave-in conditioner 16th of 33 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Leave-In Leave-in conditioner 14th of 25 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 23rd of 37 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Fragrance & Protein Free Defining Cream Styler 4th of 12 names
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse Styler 11th of 18 names
- ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Protein treatment 12th of 44 names
- Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask Protein treatment 19th of 37 names
- Redken Extreme CAT Protein Reconstructing Treatment Protein treatment 10th of 16 names
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème Heat protectant 26th of 30 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 antistatic ingredients on these labels
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride 48 labels
- Polyquaternium-37 17 labels
- Polyquaternium-7 12 labels
- Stearalkonium Chloride 9 labels
- Polyquaternium-11 7 labels
- Histidine 5 labels
- Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein 4 labels
- Laureth-4 4 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.