Quats as Conditioning, Emulsifying and Antistatic Agents
The conditioning and antistatic properties of quats are an important asset in hair formulations.
Hair shampoo
In hair shampoo, Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) act as conditioners and as anti-dandruff agents. Most shampoos are based on anionic detergents which in general are incompatible with the cationic Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats). However, anionic sarcosinates are claimed compatible with quats. Thus the formulation of conditioning shampoos with Cetrimide and CTAB is possible.
Using quats in hair shampoos based on non-ionic or amphoteric detergents is
another possibility.
Most conditioning shampoos on the market contain cationic polymers as these
are relatively well compatible with anionics. The accumulation of solid on the
hair, the so-called "build-up", is a problem with these conditioning agents.
This problem can be avoided by using
Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and/or
CTAB
(Cetrimonium Bromide) instead.
Hair conditioners
Hair conditioners supply easy-to-comb properties, antistatic and softening properties to the hair. Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) are used in hair conditioners. The two compounds have equal antistatic properties, while CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) has the best conditioning effect. Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) are also relatively light conditioners. The greasy look, which may be a problem related to the heavier conditioners, is no problem with Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide).
Compared to other ingredients on the market, FeF Chemicals' Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) have lower impurity content and are less skin and eye irritating than for example products containing chlorides. The bromides – Cetrimide (Cetrimonium), CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) – have quicker and better adsorbtion on the hair than the corresponding chlorides.
Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) are delivered in a solid form (crystalline powder) which may be an advantage in the production of premixes, as no excess water is to be evaporated. Moreover, the light conditioning effect and the high purity of FeF Chemicals' Cetrimide (Cetrimonium) and CTAB (Cetrimonium Bromide) makes these compounds useful in non-rinse-off products, such as mousses, gels, and creams.
Hair dye
Some pigments are of cationic character. In formulations using those pigments, the Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) may be used as emulsifiers, as adhesive agents, and as conditioning agents.
Hair before conditioning treatment |
Hair after conditioning treatment |
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