Polyquaternium-10

Polyquaternium-10 molecular structure

5+ year old children • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Polyquaternium 10?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyquaternium 10 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For kids aged 5 and up (school-age children), polyquaternium-10 used at normal low levels in hair and skin products is usually safe. It helps hair feel smooth and rarely causes irritation in older children.

✅What to Do

Use products meant for children when possible. It’s lowest risk in rinse-off products like shampoos and conditioners. Avoid getting products in the eyes, don’t put them on deep cuts or open skin, and do a small patch test on the forearm if your child has sensitive skin or eczema. If a rash or irritation appears, stop using the product and see your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for allergic signs (redness, itching, swelling) and stop use if they happen. Some scientific studies and government or industry reviews (for example, animal studies on related quaternary ammonium compounds, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, Environment Canada, and the European Chemicals Agency) report possible effects at higher exposures and note data gaps and concentration limits — this is why we recommend using child-friendly formulations, rinse-off products, and avoiding frequent or unnecessary exposure. Also note that some product verification programs require extra safety information for this ingredient before allowing it in verified products.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: Some safety reviews and recent toxicology reports flag possible harm to non-reproductive organs after repeated exposure. A government assessment lists mixed findings (some data say low risk, other studies show altered toxicological endpoints in people exposed to similar quaternary ammonium compounds), so there is a real but uncertain risk to organs like the liver or kidneys with repeated use.
Fertility: Animal studies on related quaternary ammonium compounds showed reduced fertility and effects on male and female reproductive processes at moderate doses. Because similar chemistry is present here, there is a real risk to future fertility based on those animal findings.
Environmental: Government environmental agencies note uncertain but possible toxicity to the environment and limited evidence of harm in ecotoxicology reviews. This ingredient may pose environmental risks until more data are available.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyquaternium-10

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyquaternium10polyquaternium-10poliquaternium-10polyquaternium 10CHLORIDE CELLULOSE, 2-[2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPOXY]ETHYL ETHERCHLORIDE CELLULOSE, 2-HYDROXYETHYL 2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHERCHLORIDE CELLULOSE, 2-HYDROXYETHYL 23-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHER2-[2-HYDROXY-3-TRIMETHYLAMMONO)PROPOXY] ETHYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSE2-HYDROXYETHYL 23-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSE2-HYDROXYETHYL 2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSE2-[2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPOXY]ETHYL ETHER CHLORIDE CELLULOSEPOLYQAUTERNIUM-10CELLULOSE, ETHER WITH .ALPHA.-[2-HYDROXY-3-(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL]-.OMEGA.-HYDROXYPOLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) CHLORIDECELLULOSE, ETHER WITH [2HYDROXY3(TRIMETHYLAMMONIO)PROPYL] HYDROXYPOLY(OXY1,2ETHANEDIYL) CHLORIDEPOLYQUATERNIUM-10

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Polyquaternium-10

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polyquaternium-10 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polyquaternium-10

Is this kid-friendly to use Polyquaternium-10?

Yes, Polyquaternium-10 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Polyquaternium-10 for children?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the fertility risks of Polyquaternium-10 for children?

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues.

What are the environmental risks of Polyquaternium-10 for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Polyquaternium-10?

Polyquaternium-10 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Polyquaternium-10?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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