Polyquaternium-53
AKA “PQ-53, Polyquaternium-53
Hair Conditioning
Ingredient Facts
Polyquaternium-53
AKA: PQ-53
Hair Conditioning · Hair Conditioning · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
Acrylic acid/acrylamide/methacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride copolymer
CAS #
84647-38-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Conditions Hair
Softens and detangles hair
Traditional Use
A modern synthetic polymer created as a conditioning and antistatic agent for cosmetics. Developed to provide improved hair and skin conditioning properties compared to earlier polymer formulations.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUpermitted
JAPANpermitted
CANADApermitted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR