Ingredient · dataset v56
Polyquaternium-44 and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A vinylpyrrolidone/quaternised vinylimidazole conditioning polymer with a methylsulfate counterion and no fatty chains; same neutral-polymer basis as the ruled Polyquaternium-10 and -51 rows.
Added B-vitamin with no lipid fraction; nothing for this yeast to feed on. Settle-at-neutral unless a Malassezia vitamin-requirement study says otherwise.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Polymer
Also listed as
PQ-44
Related polymer
- Acrylates Copolymer — No known trigger
- Acrylates Crosspolymer-4 — No known trigger
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer — No known trigger
- Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer — No known trigger
- Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer — No known trigger
- Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer — No known trigger
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer — No known trigger
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer — No known trigger
Sources
- ci.guide — Polyquaternium-44 is a branched vinylpyrrolidone/quaternised vinylimidazole copolymer (Luviquat UltraCare)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Polyquaternium-44 trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A vinylpyrrolidone/quaternised vinylimidazole conditioning polymer with a methylsulfate counterion and no fatty chains; same neutral-polymer basis as the ruled Polyquaternium-10 and -51 rows.
Does Polyquaternium-44 feed Malassezia?
No known link: Polyquaternium-44 is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Polyquaternium-44 →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.