Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
AKA: Hydroxypropyl Starch Quaternary, Modified Starch
Synthetic
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Starch, 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether, chloride
CAS #
56780-58-6
Form
Powder
Functions
Antistatic
Emulsion Stabilising
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Hair 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
Reduces Static
Stabilizes Emulsion
Conditions Hair
Controls Viscosity
Wound Healing
Locks In Moisture
Reduces flyaways
Softens and detangles hair
Keeps product blended
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Modified starch polymer created in the late 20th century. Designed as a cationic conditioning agent and film-former for hair care products, combining starch's natural thickening properties with quaternary ammonium conditioning chemistry.
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