Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

AKA: Guar gum quaternary ammonium derivative, Guar gum cationic polymer
Synthetic
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Guar gum, 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether, chloride
CAS #
65497-29-2
Form
Powder
Functions
Antistatic
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a chemically modified derivative of guar gum to function as a cationic conditioner and thickener in cosmetics and hair care products.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR