Ingredient deep-dive
Polyquaternium-7: Is It a Microplastic?
Cationic synthetic polymer used as a conditioning agent, one of the most common in shampoo. Water-soluble, so it is a synthetic polymer rather than a solid microplastic.
Where it appears
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Styling products
Regulatory status (2026)
European Union
Permitted; water-soluble polymers sit outside the solid-microplastic restriction.
United States
No federal restriction.
Cleaner alternatives
- Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
- Cetrimonium chloride
- Behentrimonium methosulfate
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Download on the App StorePolyquaternium-7, common questions
Is Polyquaternium-7 a microplastic?
Is Polyquaternium-7 banned?
What can I use instead of Polyquaternium-7?
What products contain Polyquaternium-7?
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