Dextran Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

AKA: Quaternized Dextran, Conditioning Polymer

Synthetic

Skin Conditioner

Hair Care

Not Clean

Dextran, 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether, chloride

CAS #

83855-79-2

Form

Liquid

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.

Anti-Inflammatory

Boosts Collagen

Antimicrobial

Softens and detangles hair

Traditional Use

A modern cationic polymer derived from dextran, developed in the late 20th century for hair conditioning and anti-static properties in shampoos and conditioners.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewednone on file

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR