What it is
In the register’s words: “Polyquaternium-69 is a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt composed of vinyl caprolactam, vinylpyrrolidone, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPA), and methacryloylaminopropyl lauryldimonium chloride.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- POLYQUATERNIUM-69
- CAS number
- 748809-45-2
- EC number
- -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Polyquaternium-69 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 fixing
-
Holds a style in place. Gels, foams and creams that promise hold list these near the top.
Register definition: “Permitting physical control of hair style.”
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.
- Stylers 5 labels First five names: 3 of 5 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (5)
- Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Styler 2nd of 30 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel Styler 2nd of 15 names
- Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel Styler 2nd of 10 names
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Defining Cream Styler 13th of 25 names
- Maui Moisture Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse Styler 12th of 16 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 fixing ingredients on these labels
- PVP 14 labels
- VP/VA Copolymer 11 labels
- Chitosan 4 labels
- Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer 2 labels
- Sodium Polyacrylate 2 labels
- Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer 2 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.