Is Polyquaternium-6 safe in cosmetics?
Polyquaternium-6 has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Excellent
Cosmetic Ingredient
Polyquaternium-6
Also known as: 2-Propen-1-aminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl-, chloride, homopolymer, UNII-163BBM0B4X, UNII-YFL33X52PX
INCI: POLYQUATERNIUM-6
Polyquaternium-6 (CAS 26062-79-3) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as conditioning agent, anti-static, film-forming, hair detangling agent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 26062-79-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
conditioning agent, anti-static, film-forming, hair detangling agent
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR Expert Panel 2025 assessment concluded Polyquaternium-6 is safe for use in cosmetics at present practices of use and concentration. Large molecular size and high polarity make significant dermal absorption unlikely. Bacterial genotoxicity data are negative. Negligible systemic exposure expected.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Polyquaternium-6.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Additional Ingredient Properties
4 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "no", "biodegradation_days": "365+", "bioaccumulative": "yes", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "moderate", "coral_reef_safe": "unknown", "marine_toxicity": "moderate toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "persistent", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "yes", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": "yes", …
hair_care
{"hair_function": "conditioning", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "neutral", "kera…
hair_conditioning
{"cas_number": "26062-79-3", "ingredient_class": "cationic_conditioner", "chemical_type": "polyquaternium", "charge_density_meq_g": "6.0", "substantivity_to_hair": "excellent", "deposition_from_shampoo": "yes", "deposition_from_conditioner": "yes", "conditioning_mechanism": "electrostatic", "hair_penetration": "cuticle", "molecular_weight_effect_on_penetration": "high_MW_limited", "wet_combing_for…
polymer
{"cas_number": "26062-79-3", "ingredient_class": "film_former/conditioning", "polymer_type": "synthetic_homopolymer", "chemical_backbone": "vinyl", "molecular_weight_Da_range": "100000-1500000", "ionic_character": "cationic", "charge_density_meq_g": "4.5-7.0", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-static agent
Anti-streaking agent
Film former
Hair fixative
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Polyquaternium-6.
Regulatory Flags
cir-approved-2025
conditioning-polymer
poly-dmdaac
coacervation
anti-static
film-forming
buildup-risk-fine-hair
large-polar-molecule
genotoxicity-negative
Known Synonyms
2-Propen-1-aminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl-, chloride, homopolymer
UNII-163BBM0B4X
UNII-YFL33X52PX
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Film former
Anti-static agent
Hair fixative
Anti-streaking agent
Regulatory Lists
fracking; water
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
CEDI
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polyquaternium-6 allowed in the EU?
Polyquaternium-6 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Polyquaternium-6 do in cosmetics?
Polyquaternium-6 functions as: conditioning agent, anti-static, film-forming, hair detangling agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 26062-79-3.
Compliance Tools
Check Polyquaternium-6 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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