Ingredient glossary / Conditioning agent
Cationic guar
On the label: Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride · Conditioning agent
What it is
Guar gum modified to carry a positive charge; a plant-based conditioning agent.
Conditioning agents: Conditioning agents smooth hair or skin and reduce static; most are cationic (positively charged) so they cling to the hair shaft.
Wikidata: Chemical compound. Q5613883 →
In the research
25 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Modifying polyelectrolyte charge density and surface coverage for enhanced polyelectrolyte-surfactant lubrication of biomimetic interfaces · RSC applied interfaces, 2026
- Suitability of stability assessment methods for topical formulations enriched with apple pomace extract · PloS one, 2026
- Multifunctional powder makeup with salicylic acid-cationic guar gum nanoplexes for acne-prone skin · International journal of cosmetic science, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
1 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Other conditioning agents
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.