| abstract |
Ampholyte terpolymer conditioning additives for hair care products are disclosed which improve wet and dry hair combability, especially detangling and reduced static flyaway, sheen, and fixative properties, especially curl retention. The ampholyte terpolymers may have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 thousand to 10 million, and comprise (a) from at least 1 to as much as 95 weight percent of a nonionic monomer, (b) from at least 5 to as much as 80 weight percent of a cationic monomer, and (c) from at least 1 to as much as 75 weight percent of an anionic monomer. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of the cationic and anionic components is such that the overall % net charge of the ampholyte terpolymer is between -5.0 and +5.0. The ampholyte terpolymers are added to hair care product formulations in amounts ranging from 0.1-10% by weight. They are particularly compatible with anionic surfactant shampoos, providing clear formulations without the loss of conditioning properties described above. |