Common Name(s): Chitosan nitrate,modified chitosan salt,improved solubility cationic conditioner

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Deposits cationic conditioning film on skin and hair at neutral formulation ph, provides antimicrobial activity from chitosan membrane disruption, and offers improved formulation versatility — the nitrate counter-ion enabling neutral-ph solubility without acid addition.

Why It's Used: Counter-ion selection expands chitosan's formulation ph range — from the ph under 5 required for native chitosan to standard cosmetic ph 5-7, enabling use alongside ph-sensitive actives that would be degraded in acidic systems.

How It Works: The nitrate salt form maintains chitosan amine groups in their protonated (cationic) state at neutral ph. protonated amines (-nh3+) electrostatically bind negatively charged hair cuticle and skin corneocytes depositing a conditioning film. the same cationic charge disrupts bacterial and fungal cell membranes providing antimicrobial activity.

Typically Found In: Hair conditioners,skin care,antimicrobial formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–3%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - crustacean or fungal route; fungal chitosan is vegan

Halal Status: Conditional - crustacean or fungal route; feedstock declaration required

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: chitin family; a fungal route exists that is both halal-simpler and vegan, so origin must be declared. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Chitosan salt type modifies specific properties: formate salt provides highest water solubility; pca salt adds pyrrolidone carboxylic acid skin conditioning; adipate salt adds mild thickening from polyacid character; lactate salt adds lactic acid antimicrobial synergy.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,chitosan nitrate modified salt conditioning review