active
Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate (and) Hydroxypropylgluconamide
A biomimetic lipid-modifying active used in bonding haircare. This compound class functions as a hair bond repairing agent, targeting disulfide bond disruption in chemically treated hair.
Benefits
- Repairs disulfide bonds in chemically damaged hair
- Reduces breakage in chemically treated hair
- Improves hair tensile strength
- Compatible with bond-repair treatment systems
- Water-soluble
Example uses
- Bond-repair hair balms
- Post-chemical treatment conditioners
- Protein bond repair masks
- Leave-in hair treatments
- Damaged hair serums
Mechanism of action
Targets disrupted disulfide bonds (cystine linkages) in the cortical protein structure of chemically treated hair. The active crosslinks with free cysteine thiols via a nucleophilic reaction, reforming or stabilising the crosslinked cortical matrix, reducing breakage and improving elasticity.
Clinical evidence · Emerging
In-house brand studies and some independent tribology data supporting tensile strength improvement. Limited independent academic RCTs.
Effective concentration range
1–3%
Formulation notes
Water-soluble bond repairing active; applied in rinse-off balm or leave-on treatment format. Works synergistically with protein-based bond repair systems.
Watchouts
Expensive ingredient class — limited consumer access to clearly dosed formulations. Mechanism specific to disulfide bond chemistry; limited benefit in mechanically rather than chemically damaged hair.
Stacks with
Market positioning
Marketed as bond-repair active. Mechanistic rationale is credible for chemically damaged hair; evidence base is primarily brand-generated.
Comedogenicity
0 / 5
Sensitisation risk
Low
INCI & aliases
Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate (and) Hydroxypropylgluconamide
HPAM gluconate · hydroxypropylgluconamide · inci hydroxypropylammonium gluconate hydroxypropylgluconamide
Clean beauty perception
Accepted in clean haircare bond repair positioning.
Graph relationships
Timeline