What it is
In the register’s words: “Ethanaminium, N, N, N-trimethyl-2-((2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy)-, chloride, homopolymer.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- POLYQUATERNIUM-37
- CAS number
- 26161-33-1
- EC number
- -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Polyquaternium-37 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.
- Rinse-out conditioners 4 labels First five names: 1 of 4 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 8 labels First five names: 0 of 8 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Heat protectants without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (17)
- Aunt Jackie's In Control Moisturizing Softening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 3rd of 39 names
- Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 16th of 26 names
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 19th of 24 names
- PATTERN Medium Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 31st of 38 names
- Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 11th of 38 names
- DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Deep conditioner 12th of 41 names
- Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair Coconut Creme Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 16th of 33 names
- Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask Deep conditioner 14th of 26 names
- Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask Deep conditioner 30th of 50 names
- Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 13th of 20 names
- PATTERN Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 17th of 26 names
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 23rd of 29 names
- DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Leave-in conditioner 13th of 39 names
- PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 23rd of 43 names
- Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie Styler 17th of 28 names
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème Heat protectant 3rd of 30 names
- Camille Rose Honey Dew Liquid Moisture Refresher Curl refresher 9th of 13 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-10 30 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.