Merquat 2003PR

Merquat 2003PR at a glance

Merquat 2003PR is a conditioning polymer made in the USA. Its INCI is Polyquaternium-53, often shortened to PQ-53. It is a light yellow, viscous liquid that dissolves in water and works in a pH range of 4.0 to 8.0. The supplier calls it a luxury, premium and cationic conditioning polymer for hair and skin. It is used at low levels, from 0.1% in shower gels up to 3% in rich conditioners.

How cationic polymers work

Hair carries a slight negative charge, and the charge is stronger on damaged and color treated hair. Cationic polymers carry a positive charge, so they are drawn to the hair surface and stay there after rinsing. There they form a thin, smooth film. The result is hair that feels softer, combs more easily when wet and dry, has less static and looks shinier. PQ-53 is one of the newer polymers in this family, chosen for a silky feel without weight.

What it does

The supplier lists silkiness and softness, better wet and dry combing, less static, smoother hair without weighing it down and a protective conditioning film. It suits damaged and color treated hair and is compatible with most modern surfactants, which makes it practical in shampoos and cleansers as well as in conditioners.

Dosing by product

Shampoos use 0.1 to 1.5%. Conditioners use 0.2 to 3%. Hair masks use 0.2 to 2%. Leave-in products use 0.1 to 1%. Shower gels use 0.1 to 0.5%, where the polymer adds a softer skin feel after rinsing.

How to formulate

In shampoos

Disperse Merquat 2003PR in the water before adding the surfactants, or add it after the main surfactant has been mixed in. Check clarity and viscosity, because cationic polymers can interact with anionic surfactants at high levels. Start low, around 0.3 to 0.5%, and raise the dose if more conditioning is wanted.

In conditioners and masks

Add it to the water phase before emulsifying or at cool-down. It boosts the slip of cationic emulsifiers and gives a smoother finish.

Partners

For a complete appearance support line, combine it with hydrolyzed keratin and panthenol. More hair care ingredients are listed in the cosmetic actives section.

Product ideas

Conditioning shampoos, rinse-off conditioners, appearance support masks, leave-in sprays, detangling sprays for children, salon conditioning systems, premium face washes, shower gels with a soft after feel, men's shampoos and beard care are the uses the supplier lists.

Sample recipe: conditioning shampoo, 100 g

Distilled water 61.10 g, sodium laureth sulfate solution 25.00 g, cocamidopropyl betaine 8.00 g, Merquat 2003PR 0.80 g, glycerin 2.00 g, panthenol 0.50 g, sodium chloride 1.00 g, preservative 1.00 g, fragrance 0.50 g, citric acid solution 0.10 g. Disperse Merquat 2003PR in the water, add the surfactants and glycerin, then panthenol, the preservative and fragrance, adjust viscosity with sodium chloride and the pH to about 5.5.

Skin care uses

Cationic polymers are not only for hair. In shower gels at 0.1 to 0.5%, PQ-53 leaves a soft, smooth feel on the skin after rinsing and makes the cleansing experience feel more caring. Premium face washes and men's cleansers use it for the same reason. In beard care, it softens coarse hair and makes it easier to comb.

Color treated hair

Color treated and bleached hair carries a stronger negative charge, so cationic polymers bind to it more strongly. This is why PQ-53 suits color care lines: shampoos and conditioners that keep the hair soft and manageable without weighing it down.

Build-up

Like other cationic polymers, PQ-53 can build up on fine hair with daily use at high doses. For daily shampoos keep it below 1%, and offer a clarifying shampoo in the range for occasional use.

Storage

Store in a dry, cool room in a tightly closed container, protected from light. A certificate of analysis comes with every lot.