The base of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
A gentle surfactant that helps to create lather and cleanse the hair and scalp.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive individuals.
Attracts moisture to the hair, helping to keep it hydrated.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Surfactant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
A mild surfactant that provides good cleansing and foaming properties.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
A very mild, plant-derived surfactant that creates foam and cleanses gently.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Viscosity controlling
Sodium Chloride
Used to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Seed Butter
Rich in fatty acids, it helps to moisturize and soften hair, locking in hydration.
Usually helps with
Moisture, softness
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil
Contains essential fatty acids that help to smooth the hair cuticle and add shine.
Usually helps with
Smoothness, shine
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
A rich source of linoleic acid, it helps to moisturize and condition the hair.
Usually helps with
Moisture, conditioning
A stable, plant-derived lipid that mimics the skin's natural oils, providing hydration and softness.
Usually helps with
Hydration, softness
Emollient
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil
Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, it nourishes, hydrates, and helps to tame frizz.
Usually helps with
Nourishment, hydration, frizz control
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil
Lightweight oil that provides moisture and helps to improve hair elasticity.
Usually helps with
Lightweight moisture, elasticity
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that conditions hair and improves spreadability.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, spreadability
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Watch for
Can be ethoxylated, potentially containing trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane.
Conditioning agent
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
A plant-derived conditioning agent that improves combability and reduces static.
Usually helps with
Detangling, anti-static
Conditioning agent
Polyquaternium-10
Forms a film on the hair to improve manageability, reduce static, and add shine.
Usually helps with
Manageability, shine
Conditioning agent
Behentrimonium Chloride
A quaternary ammonium compound that provides excellent conditioning and detangling.
Usually helps with
Detangling, conditioning
Watch for
Can build up on hair if not properly rinsed or if used too frequently in high concentrations.
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract
Contains antioxidants that help protect hair from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Hair protection
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as a humectant and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A lightweight, biodegradable emollient that provides a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Smoothness
A provitamin of B5 that moisturizes, strengthens, and improves hair elasticity.
Usually helps with
Moisture, strength, elasticity
A form of Vitamin B3 that can help improve scalp health and hair strength, and potentially reduce inflammation.
Usually helps with
Scalp health, hair strength
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but some individuals may experience mild irritation.
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects hair from oxidative damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Fragrance
Fragrance (Parfum)
Adds a pleasant scent to the product.
Watch for
Can be a common cause of allergic reactions and sensitivities for some individuals.
Used to adjust the pH of the product, making it more compatible with hair and scalp.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Chelating agent
Sodium Gluconate
Helps to improve the stability and performance of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A salt of benzoic acid, used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A salt of sorbic acid, used as a preservative to prevent the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Generally considered safe, but can cause mild skin irritation in some cases.
Fragrance component
Limonene
A common fragrance ingredient derived from citrus peels. It's a potential allergen.
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation in sensitive individuals. It is also a potential environmental pollutant.
Fragrance component
Linalool
A naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spice plants, used for its floral scent. It is a potential allergen.
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation in sensitive individuals.