Alternatives for Clear Silicone Hair Conditioner

Micro-Quat 16™ is a silicone in microemulsion form, which generally provides good clarity, but sometimes cloudiness can occur depending on other ingredients in the formula and the mixing method.

Here are some alternative silicone hair conditioning ingredients that can be used and are likely to result in a clear product at a usage rate of approximately 5%:

• SiliWater™ (silicone dissolved in water): This is a clear liquid silicone that can be mixed directly with water. It helps make hair soft and smooth, prevents tangling, and provides a good texture on the hair without build-up. The recommended usage rate for water-based formulas is 0.5-5%, which is within your desired range.
• Silicone Quick-Cond (PEG-12 Dimethicone): This is also a clear liquid silicone that can be mixed directly with water. It is suitable for formulas requiring clarity and is easy to use. It helps make hair soft and smooth and prevents tangling, but its conditioning performance might be less than other options. The recommended usage rate is 0.5-5%.
• Clear-Cond™ (Quaternium-80): This is a highly effective hair/skin conditioning agent that dissolves directly in water and yields a clear formula. It provides better conditioning performance compared to other water-soluble conditioning agents but may be high in cost. The recommended usage rate for hair conditioner is 0.5-4%, which is close to your desired amount.
• Silicone Micro-Cond (Amodimethicone Microemulsion): This is an Amodimethicone silicone in microemulsion form that mixes with water to give a clear liquid. It is suitable for formulas requiring clarity, helps make hair soft and smooth, and prevents tangling. It has higher performance than Silicone Quick-Cond. The recommended usage rate for hair conditioner is 4-10%, which covers your desired 5% amount.

These four options are interesting alternatives to Micro-Quat 16™ to achieve a hair conditioning product that provides softness and smoothness with a clear texture.