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Polyquaternium-80

What Polyquaternium-80 is & what it does

Polyquaternium-80 is a synthetic quaternized polymer used in cosmetic formulas as a film former and conditioning agent. The positively charged polymer binds to skin and hair surfaces, helping to leave a smooth feel and improve the spread of a product. It is most often found in conditioning and texture-enhancing roles.

What does Polyquaternium-80 do in skincare?

Polyquaternium-80 is a quaternized polymer that acts as a film former and conditioning agent. Its positive charge binds to skin and hair, helping leave a smooth feel and improving how evenly a product spreads.

Is Polyquaternium-80 safe?

Polyquaternium polymers are widely used in cosmetics and are generally considered well tolerated at the levels used in formulas. As with similar conditioning polymers, reactions are uncommon, though sensitive skin can always be patch tested.

Is Polyquaternium-80 natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic, made by quaternizing a polymer to give it a positive charge. This engineered structure is what lets it cling to skin and hair surfaces.

Sunscreens with Polyquaternium-80

We rate 14 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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