Silicone Quaternium-16 / Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer:  properties, uses, pros, cons, safety

Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a crosslinked silicone elastomer characterized by high elasticity, thermal stability, and mechanical adaptability across both low and high temperatures.
It consists of dimethicone copolymers crosslinked via a bifunctional agent, and is typically produced by catalytic hydrosilylation, most commonly using platinum-based catalysts.

From a structural standpoint, it is a three-dimensional polymer network incorporating Silicone Quaternium-16 and Glycidoxy Dimethicone, which provides film-forming performance, conditioning benefits, and improved wash resistance.

Meaning of the name

The name Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer precisely describes the material’s chemical structure and functional role:

• Silicone Quaternium-16
  A silicone-based quaternary ammonium salt, belonging to the class of cationic surfactants. The number “16” refers to the length of the alkyl chain associated with the quaternary ammonium group.
  Quaternary ammonium salts are widely used in hair care due to their ability to counteract negative charges on the hair fiber, thereby reducing friction, improving cuticle alignment, and enhancing combability.

• Glycidoxy Dimethicone
  A dimethicone functionalized with glycidyl (epoxy) groups, which enable crosslinking reactions and improve adhesion to the hair fiber.
  Dimethicone is known for forming a continuous protective film on hair, helping reduce moisture loss, smooth the cuticle, and improve sensory feel.

• Crosspolymer
  Indicates that the two silicone components are chemically linked to form a crosslinked three-dimensional network.
  This architecture significantly enhances application performance, including:

  • wash resistance

  • film-forming efficiency

  • durability of conditioning effects

  • mechanical stability of the deposited film

What it is used for and where it is used

Cosmetics

Hair conditioning agent
In hair cleansing products such as shampoos, multiple ingredient classes may coexist (cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, opacifiers, chelants, fragrances, preservatives, specialty additives). However, cleansers and conditioners are the essential components needed to deliver cleansing and manageability.

Hair conditioning agents are intended to:

• increase shine and manageability

• reduce static electricity

• improve tactile feel and reduce friction, especially after chemical/mechanical stress (coloring, straightening, perming, blow-drying, brushing)

Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer is an advanced polymeric conditioner combining film-forming, antistatic, and long-lasting performance.

Hair fixative
This ingredient can also provide cosmetic hold, due to its ability to form an elastic, partially hydrophilic film on the hair surface. The film:

• provides hold and style control

• creates temporary physical links between hair fibers

• helps maintain a targeted hairstyle for a defined time window, without excessive rigidity

In practical terms, it enables physical hairstyle control with a balanced profile of hold and flexibility.

Safety

Dimethicone and related silicone derivatives are generally regarded as safe for cosmetic use. Based on the most up-to-date information typically available for this class of materials, relevant impurities are not considered a significant health concern when the ingredient is used in compliance with applicable cosmetic regulations.

Indicative physico-chemical properties