Polyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-37 is a synthetic conditioning polymer commonly used in UK skincare, haircare and styling products. It acts as a lightweight conditioner that helps hair feel smooth and manageable while also improving the texture of creams and lotions. Shoppers will often find it in leave-in conditioners, serums, moisturisers and hair masks.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare Polyquaternium-37 is used as a film-forming agent, conditioner and rheology modifier. It creates a smooth, non-greasy film on the hair shaft that reduces static, improves combability and adds slip without weighing hair down. In creams and lotions it helps stabilise emulsions, thickens the formula and gives a silky, elegant skin feel.
Key benefits
- Detangles hair and reduces breakage during combing
- Provides lightweight conditioning without heaviness
- Helps control frizz and static in humid UK weather
- Improves the spreadability and texture of moisturisers
- Leaves hair feeling soft and silky
- Enhances the sensory feel of creams and serums
Best for
normal skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, fine hair, frizz-prone hair
Where it comes from
Polyquaternium-37 is a fully synthetic polymer produced from the monomer dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, which is derived from petrochemical sources and then quaternised.
Products with Polyquaternium-37
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Polyquaternium-37 than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.