IO Conditioning Polymer Thickener Powder

This ingredient at a glance

IO Conditioning Polymer Thickener Powder is a powder that dissolves in water. The card lists shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, detanglers and toiletries such as shower and bath products. This ingredient is a known family of cationic conditioning polymers for personal care. Check the INCI name, charge density and recommended level on the supplier data sheet and CoA.

How conditioning polymers work

Hair and skin carry a slight negative charge after washing. Cationic polymers carry a positive charge and are drawn to these surfaces. When the product is rinsed off, part of the polymer stays behind as a thin film. On hair, this film reduces friction between strands, so they detangle and comb easily, look shinier and show less static. On skin, it leaves a soft, smooth feel after the shower.

Product formats

Conditioning shampoos

In two-in-one shampoos, the polymer forms a complex with the surfactants that deposits on hair during rinsing.

Conditioners and detanglers

Rinse-off conditioners and leave-in detangling sprays use the polymer for easy combing.

Styling products

The card lists hair styling products, where the polymer can add light hold and a smooth feel.

Shower and bath products

Shower gels and bath foams leave skin feeling softer with a conditioning polymer.

Processing

Sprinkle the powder into water while stirring and allow it to hydrate fully before adding surfactants. In shampoos, the order of addition affects how well the polymer deposits, so follow the supplier's recommendations and test small batches. Adjust the pH at the end.

Good partners

IO Hair Conditioning Agent Granules adds conditioning in rinse-off products. Silk protein adds shine, and Polyquaternium-10 is another classic conditioning polymer. Browse more in the actives catalog.

Testing

Run wet and dry combing tests on hair tresses and compare with a control without the polymer. Check viscosity and clarity of shampoos after storage.

Claims

Hair detangles easily; hair feels smooth and looks shiny; skin feels soft after the shower.

Characteristics

Form: powder. Solubility: in water. Type: cationic conditioning polymer from this ingredient family. Listed uses: shampoos, conditioners, styling products, detanglers, shower and bath toiletries. INCI and level: supplier data sheet and CoA.

Original recipe: conditioning shampoo, 100 g

Distilled water 59.80 g, IO Conditioning Polymer Thickener Powder 0.50 g, sodium coco-sulfate solution 22.00 g, cocamidopropyl betaine 10.00 g, coco glucoside 3.00 g, glycerin 2.00 g, panthenol 0.50 g, sodium benzoate 0.50 g, citric acid 0.20 g, sodium chloride 1.50 g. Hydrate IO Conditioning Polymer Thickener Powder in the water, add the surfactants one by one, then glycerin, panthenol and the preservative, adjust the pH and thicken with salt.

Avoiding build-up

Conditioning polymers can build up on hair with daily use and make it look heavy. Use the lowest level that gives good combing, and offer a clarifying shampoo in the range for occasional use.

Clear versus pearly shampoos

Some cationic polymers can make a clear shampoo look hazy. If clarity matters, test several levels and orders of addition, or choose a pearly look that hides slight haze.

Range ideas

A conditioning shampoo, a detangling spray and a soft shower gel can share the same conditioning polymer.

Lot records

Keep each CoA with the batch file and note the lot used.

Skin care in the shower

Shower gels with a conditioning polymer leave a soft, smooth feel instead of the tight feeling some cleansers cause. This works especially well in products for dry skin and in winter ranges. Keep the level low in body washes, since skin needs less conditioning than hair.

Storage

Store closed in a dry place. Close the container after use.