Rate My SPF

Polyquaternium-51

What Polyquaternium-51 is & what it does

Polyquaternium-51 is a synthetic polymer, sometimes marketed as Lipidure, built around a phosphorylcholine structure that mimics components of natural cell membranes. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it is commonly used as a humectant and conditioning agent, helping skin hold moisture and feel smooth. It is valued for its strong water-binding ability and light, non-greasy finish.

What does Polyquaternium-51 do in skincare?

Polyquaternium-51 is used in skincare and sunscreens mainly as a humectant and conditioning agent. It helps skin attract and hold onto water, leaving a smooth, hydrated feel. It is known for binding moisture well while keeping a light, non-greasy finish.

Is Polyquaternium-51 safe?

Polyquaternium-51 is widely used in moisturizers and other leave-on products and is generally considered safe at the concentrations used in cosmetics. It is a large polymer that stays mostly on the skin surface. Reports of irritation are uncommon.

Is Polyquaternium-51 vegan?

Polyquaternium-51 is a synthetic polymer and does not inherently contain animal-derived material, so it is typically suitable for vegan formulas. Whether a finished product is vegan also depends on its other ingredients and the brand's testing policies. Checking the brand's certification is the most reliable way to confirm.

Sunscreens with Polyquaternium-51

We rate 85 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

← All ingredients