Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Wheat Starch Polymer, Modified Wheat Starch
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Gluten / Wheat
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Starch, wheat (Triticum vulgare), hydrolyzed, (3-trimethylammonio-2-hydroxypropyl)-, chlorides
CAS #
-
Form
Powder
Functions
Antistatic
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
Reduces flyaways
Softens and detangles hair
Traditional Use
Wheat starch was hydrolyzed and quaternized in the late 20th century as a natural-origin cationic polymer. Used in cosmetics for conditioning, thickening, and film-forming properties.
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