Hydroxypropyltrimonium Maltodextrin Crosspolymer
AKA: Maltodextrin Polymer
Synthetic
Cleanser
Clean
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Maltodextrin Crosspolymer is a crosslinked polymeric quaternary ammonium salt prepared by the reaction of maltodextrin and glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (CAS 3033-77-0) with epichlorohydrin (CAS 106-89-8)
CAS #
-
Form
Liquid
State
Solid
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Surfactant Cleansing
Antioxidant
Improves Elasticity
Lifts away dirt and oil
Traditional Use
Maltodextrin, a starch-derived oligosaccharide, was quaternized and crosslinked in the late 20th century. Developed as a natural-origin polymeric conditioning and thickening agent for modern cosmetics.
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