Common Name(s): Peg-9 diethylmonium chloride,peg-9 quaternary ammonium chloride

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Conditions hair and skin while reducing static electricity.

Why It's Used: A mild cationic quat with peg-9 modification that provides conditioning and antistatic properties with improved water compatibility versus non-pegylated quats.

How It Works: Quaternary ammonium cation provides cationic substantivity on negatively charged hair/skin keratin; peg-9 arms increase water solubility and reduce the tackiness of traditional quats.

Typically Found In: Conditioning shampoos,hair conditioners,antistatic styling products,skin conditioning serums

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – antistatic

Secondary Functions: Hair conditioning,skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–3%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic cationic quaternary ammonium compound; peg from petrochemical.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated; mild cationic quat.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

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

Works Well With: Anionic surfactants (use carefully – charge neutralization risk),silicones,conditioning agents

Avoid Combining With: Avoid high concentrations with strong anionic surfactants

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Pegylation of quaternary ammonium compounds improves water compatibility and reduces the substantivity/tackiness that can make conventional quats feel heavy; peg-9 represents moderate hydrophilization.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary