Cationic Keratin Protein Liquid, IO

Ordinary hydrolyzed proteins rinse off easily. Quaternized proteins carry a positive charge that helps them cling to hair, especially to damaged areas, which carry more negative charge. Cationic Keratin Protein Liquid brings this approach to keratin, the main protein of hair, for shampoos, balms and masks.

Product data

Water-soluble; also soluble in propylene glycol and glycerin. PH range 4.0 to 7.0. Applications from the card: shampoos, balms, hair care compositions and masks. The exact INCI, protein source and recommended level are confirmed on the supplier CoA for each lot.

Why cationic proteins

Damaged hair has a more negatively charged surface. Cationic proteins are drawn to these sites and stay after rinsing, giving softness, easier combing and a stronger feel where hair needs it most.

Product formats

appearance support shampoo

A shampoo that leaves hair soft.

Hair balm

A rinse-off conditioner.

Intensive mask

A weekly mask for bleached hair.

Leave-in

A light spray for detangling.

Formulating guidance

Add the protein to the water phase and keep the finished pH within the listed range. In shampoos, add it after surfactants and check clarity. Pair it with hydrolyzed keratin for a broader protein profile, D-Panthenol for moisture and Polyquaternium-10 for conditioning. Ingredients that pair well with this ingredient are collected under actives.

Claims

Use cosmetic wording such as softer, stronger-feeling hair and easier combing. Support with combing-force and breakage tests on tresses.

Who the products are for

Customers with bleached, colored or heat-styled hair and salon brands offering appearance support rituals.

Source and labeling

Keratin is usually animal-derived. Check the source on the CoA and label accordingly.

Compatibility

Cationic proteins can interact with anionic surfactants. This is useful for deposition but test clarity and viscosity.

Testing

Run stability at room temperature and 40 °C, checking pH, clarity, odor and viscosity.

Packaging

Bottles for shampoos and balms, jars for masks, sprays for leave-ins.

Batch quality

Keep the CoA for each lot and store retained samples.

Range planning

A shampoo, a balm and a mask form a appearance support trio.

Original recipe: intensive appearance support mask, 100 g

Phase A: water 79.00 g, glycerin 2.00 g, hydroxyethylcellulose 0.30 g. Phase B: cetearyl alcohol 7.00 g, behentrimonium chloride 2.50 g, shea butter 2.00 g. Heat An and B to 75 °C, combine and cool. Phase C below 40 °C: Cationic Keratin Protein Liquid 3.00 g as an example level per CoA, panthenol 1.00 g, preservative 1.00 g, fragrance 0.60 g, lactic acid solution 1.60 g. Adjust pH to about 4.5.

Salon rituals

Professional appearance support rituals often start with a protein shampoo, continue with an intensive mask under heat and finish with a leave-in. Cationic keratin fits each step. Offering salon-size packs and a matching retail mask lets clients continue the care at home and keeps them returning.

Fine versus thick hair

Fine hair can feel heavy with too much protein and conditioning. Offer a light version with less protein for fine hair and a richer mask for thick or coarse hair.

Odor

Protein ingredients can carry a slight odor. Adjust fragrance level and compare each lot against a reference sample.

Routine guidance

Recommend the shampoo and balm in every wash and the mask once a week.

Color-treated hair

After coloring, hair is more porous and negatively charged. A cationic protein mask right after a color service helps lengths feel smoother.

Testing on tresses

Compare treated and untreated bleached tresses for combing force and breakage.

Storage

Keep the container closed in a cool place.