Conditioning Agent and Emulsifier: BTMS

BTMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate) is a commonly used cationic emulsifier and conditioning agent in hair care products. It is primarily used to make detangling easier, reduce static electricity, and leave hair feeling soft after washing. Because it is a cationic (positively charged) ingredient, it readily binds to the hair shaft, but some people may find that it causes a degree of build-up over time with regular use compared with milder or more readily biodegradable alternatives.

BTMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate)

Benefits

  • Conditioning (conditioning effect)
  • Detangles hair
  • Softening

Category

  • Cationic surfactants
  • Emulsifiers

INCI name

Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol

BTMS at a glance

  • A plant-based, positively charged (cationic) emulsifier derived from rapeseed oil
  • Provides exceptional slip and makes hair easy to brush through, both wet and dry
  • Coats each hair strand with a protective film without weighing it down
  • Also works as an emollient and gives skin creams a luxurious, powdery feel

BTMS description

BTMS (available as BTMS-25 or BTMS-50, where the number indicates the amount of active ingredient blended with fatty alcohols) is one of the most popular ingredients in hair care. It is a cationic (positively charged) emulsifier. Since damaged hair is negatively charged, BTMS is magnetically drawn to the worn areas of the hair strand. There, it forms an ultra-thin, silky coating that seals the hair cuticle, eliminates static electricity, and gives hair incredible shine and softness. Despite the word "Methosulfate" in its name, BTMS is absolutely not a drying sulfate, but an extremely mild ingredient known not to irritate the skin or scalp. It is absolutely essential in solid shampoos, hair conditioners, and hair masks because it makes it easy to blend oil and water into creamy products. When used in skincare products such as lotions, it provides a unique, luxurious feel that absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or sticky.

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