Description

Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Copolymer is a copolymer used primarily in cosmetic products to enhance texture, stability, and performance. It is known for its film-forming and conditioning properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Chemical Composition: This copolymer is formed by combining two main chemical components: ethyltrimonium chloride methacrylate and hydrolyzed wheat protein. Hydrolyzed wheat protein contributes conditioning and nourishing properties, while ethyltrimonium chloride methacrylate provides film-forming and conditioning characteristics.

Structure: The copolymer's structure includes polymer chains containing methacrylic and hydrolyzed protein units, which intertwine to form a stable, film-forming network.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Powder or clear, viscous solution depending on concentration and formulation.
Solubility: Soluble in water, performing well across a wide pH range.
pH: Maintains stability within a pH range compatible with skin and hair.

Production Process

Polymerization: Ethyltrimonium chloride methacrylate and hydrolyzed wheat protein monomers are polymerized together to form the copolymer.
Purification: The resulting copolymer is purified to remove any impurities and ensure the safety of the final product.
Formulation: The copolymer is incorporated into cosmetic formulations at various concentrations depending on product requirements.

Applications

Medical: Not commonly used in medical applications.
Cosmetics: Used in shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and other hair care products to improve detangling, conditioning, and shine. It also contributes to film-forming and enhances texture in skin care and cosmetic products.
Food: Not used in food products.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Generally regarded as safe for topical use. As with all polymers, it is important to use it according to established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. People with sensitive skin or allergies should exercise caution. It is also important to ensure that the copolymer is sustainably sourced and free from harmful chemicals.

INCI Functions:


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.
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