CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel reviewed studies of Polyquaternium-11 regarding acute oral toxicity, skin and eye irritation, skin sensitization, phototoxicity, photoallergenicity and dermal toxicity. These studies did not show adverse effects at levels used in cosmetics and personal care products. From this information the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Polyquaternium-11 was safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use.

There is some indication that unreacted vinylpyrrolidone may be present in trace amounts in Polyquaternium-11. Therefore, the CIR Expert Panel reviewed scientific data on this monomer. Vinylpyrrolidone was shown to be nonmutagenic, and the very low levels of this monomer that might be in cosmetic and personal care products from the addition of Polyquaternium-11 were not a concern.

Polyquaternium-11 may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive:
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/di...

Polyquaternium-11 is a quaternized copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylamine ethylmethacrylate. The quaternary nitrogen atom in these compounds always carries a cationic charge regardless of the pH of the system. At high pHs, the presence of hydrodroxyl groups may reduce the normally high water solubility of quaternary ammonium compounds.

Polyquaternium-11 is used as an antistatic agent, a film former and as a hair fixative.