Cetrimonium Chloride is a colorless, transparent cationic conditioning agent that is commonly found in personal care and cleaning products. It is most stable in the pH range of 4–8, and its surface activity is not affected even in a weakly acidic environment. In leave-on products, its active ingredient is usually added at 0.5%–2%, while in rinse-off products, it can be added at up to 3%.
How It Works
Its conditioning effect is due to its adsorption properties on negatively charged substrates. In hair care products, this cationic ingredient forms a uniform cationic film on the surface of hair, which can smooth the hair scales, reduce static electricity accumulation, and make hair easier to comb. In household cleaners, it can work synergistically with acidic or amphoteric ingredients to increase product viscosity on the one hand and prevent static electricity on the surface after cleaning on the other. This dual role of "conditioning + thickening" allows it to perform multiple functions at low concentrations and is very practical. In addition, it can interact with surfactant micelles and emulsion droplets to help maintain the stability of the emulsion and the uniformity of the system.
Application and Performance
In the field of personal care, cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride is often found in conditioners, hair masks and smoothing sprays - after use, hair is not only easier to comb, soft to the touch, and has a higher gloss, but also does not leave a greasy feeling. In skin care lotions, it can be used as an auxiliary
Emulsifier and has a mild antibacterial effect. In cleaning products, especially toilet cleaners and acidic surface sprays, it can improve the texture of the product, make the surface dry and comfortable after cleaning, and also play an antistatic role. It is worth mentioning that its efficacy is not affected even in hard water or weak acid environments, so it is very suitable for complex formulations.