Electrokinetic analysis reveals common conditioner ingredient interactions with human hair

The study highlights the importance of surfactant molecular structure-such as carbon chain length and counterion type-in deposition efficiency and conditioning performance, providing valuable insights for developing more effective hair care formulations. By leveraging electrokinetic analyses in the form of streaming potential experiments, we were able to quantitatively assess adsorption behaviour, ζ-potential changes and the dynamic interactions between surfactants and hair. These findings enhance the understanding of cationic surfactant-hair interactions, offering practical implications for optimizing conditioners to improve user experience and hair health.