Rhodia launches two new conditioning polymers

Mirapol PQ-11 is a substantive cationic film-forming polymer that is said to impart hold, shine and gentle conditioning to the hair. Rhodia says that it is recommended for use in water-based hair styling products, such as gels, mousses, styling water, when, besides the setting effect, some hair conditioning is required.

The ingredient's formulation also means that curl retention performance can be monitored by changing the polymer concentration. This affect can be further improved in hair gels applications by combining Mirapol PQ-11 with Jaguar HP-105 (Hydroxypropyl Guar), Rhodia claims.

MirasilC-DML ( Cyclopentasiloxaneand Dimethiconol) is an easy to handle solution of a high molecular weigh Dimethiconol. The company says that the Cyclopentasiloxane part rapidly evaporates, while the Dimethiconol part remains on the skin or on hair, which in turn provides an increased substantivity and conditioning effect.

This polymer has been designed to be used in various personal care products, including skin and hair applications.

In skin care applications it is said to impart a smooth dry feel on the skin and can help to improve water-resistance properties and long lasting effect in sun care products.

In hair care, it confers antistatic and gloss effects to hair and leaves the hair with a soft, silky feel and contributes to improve both wet and dry combing, Rhodia​ says.

Currently the complete range of the company's conditioning polymers includes Jaguar and Rhodicare biopolymers and Mirapol and Polycare synthetic cationic polymers.

Recent advances in polymers for cosmetics applications have led to a multitude of uses. As well as being used as conditioners they turn up as film formers in products such as hair fixatives, mascara and nail enamel; as thickeners in sunscreens, lotions and hair colourants and as waterproofer, emollients and dispersers.