To clarify, Quats are short for Quaternary Ammonium Compounds. They are often used as disinfectants because they work by literally dissolving a cell's membrane. Over time, quats can cause your skin to become sensitized, which can lead to allergic reactions later on. This became a widespread issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among hospital workers who were exposed to a lot of quats from constant disinfecting.
So why would quats be used in hair care products such as co-washes and conditioners? They have an opposite charge to damaged hair and attach to it like a magnet, which gives you a smooth feel at first. But over time, layer after layer of quats attach to the hair, leading to buildup. Unfortunately, no amount of cowashing can remove them; you need a surfactant, or AKA a shampoo.
We're not fans of Quats because they not only build up on your hair but are also bad for the environment, that charge attaches to everything and doesn't stop once it's rinsed down the drain.
We are very proud to say we don't use industrial quats in either CREAMPOP or our new ASTRAL AMINO CONDITIONER.
Are quats dangerous? Not really, besides the occasional allergic reaction. If you continue to use them, a study suggests that as long as you shampoo your hair every two weeks to remove them, you'll be fine and avoid any buildup.