Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
AKA: Corn Starch Polymer, Modified Corn Starch
Synthetic
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Starch, maize (Zea mays), hydrolyzed, (3-trimethylammonio-2-hydroxypropyl)-, chlorides
CAS #
-
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.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Antioxidant
Improves Elasticity
Creates protective layer
Reduces flyaways
Softens and detangles hair
Traditional Use
Corn starch was hydrolyzed and quaternized in the late 20th century to create a cationic conditioning agent. Used in hair and skincare products for improved substantivity and conditioning.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 2%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 680).
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️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