Database/Antistatic/Polyquaternium-13
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Polyquaternium-13 natural?

Mostly not. The acrylate backbone, the diethylaminoethyl group and the methyl carried by the methosulfate counter-ion are all petrochemical. The oleyl fatty-alcohol side chain is oleochemical, and the sulfate group of the methosulfate comes from mineral sulfuric acid, so both count as natural origin.

INCI namePolyquaternium-13
CAS68877-47-4
FunctionAntistatic · Film Forming
FeedstockA copolymer of diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate…

How we scored it

Assuming 10:80:10 mol% diethylaminoethyl methacrylate : ethyl methacrylate : oleyl methacrylate, the average monomer weighs 156.1 Da. Natural origin per average monomer is the oleyl-oxy fragment (0.1 x 267 = 26.7 Da) plus the sulfate part of the methosulfate counter-ion (0.1 x 96.06 = 9.61 Da) = 36.31 Da. So 36.31/156.1 = 0.23.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

A copolymer of diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate with a minor oleyl methacrylate comonomer, quaternised with dimethyl sulfate. The oleyl group derives from natural fatty alcohol and the sulfate from mineral sulfuric acid; the acrylate backbone and the methyl group are petrochemical. The monomer ratio is not disclosed and was assumed.

In plain English

A synthetic polymer used in hair and skin products to reduce static and form a light conditioning film. It is built mainly from acrylic (petrochemical) building blocks, with a small amount of fatty alcohol from vegetable oil.

CosIng definition: 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester, polymer with ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and (Z)-9-octadecenyl-2-methyl-2-propenoate compd. dimethyl sulfate

Natural alternatives with the same function

Acronychia Acidula Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of lemon aspen, an Australian native fruit, used to condition skin and hair and help hold…

 Alanine 100% natural origin

An amino acid used for skin and hair conditioning, part of skin's natural moisturising factor. Made by fermenting…

 Arginine 100% natural origin

An amino acid found in skin and hair proteins, used for conditioning and moisture-binding. Made by fermenting plant…

 Asparagine 100% natural origin

An amino acid made by fermenting plant sugars, similar to other food-fermentation processes. Helps condition hair and skin…

 Aspartic Acid 100% natural origin

An amino acid used for skin conditioning and moisture retention. Usually produced by fermentation or by an enzyme…

 Capryloyl Hydrolyzed Collagen 100% natural origin

Collagen broken into small protein fragments and attached to caprylic acid, an eight-carbon fatty acid from coconut or…

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2POLYQUATERNIUM-13. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3POLYQUATERNIUM-13. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYQUATERNIUM-13