Shampoo - Common Ingredients

What do the ingredients mean to you as you shampoo your hair?

You may see the letters USP (United States Pharmacopeia.) This means that the ingredient is rated to be of the highest grade. Not all ingredients are rated.

• Algae Extract is derived from the sea and is moisture-rich.
   
• Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Aloe Vera Gel) provides emollient and moisturizing properties. It helps promote healing of dry, damaged skin and hair.
   
• Ammonium lauryl sulfate and Ammonium laureth sulfate are detergents.
   
• Ammonium xylenesulfonate is a thickener.
   
• Amyris Balsamiferia Oil (West Indian Sandlewood) produces a woodsy aroma
   
• Angelica (Angelica Archangelica) is stimulating to the skin.
   
• Apricot Oil is a moisturizing agent for hair and skin.
   
• Beeswax acts as a creamy, moisture-rich base for other ingredients.
   
• Benzophenone-4 is an ultraviolet light absorber. It helps to protect hair from UV Rays and also helps to prevent discoloration of the product
   
• Bergamot Oil produces a sweet, citrus, floral aroma.
   
• Beta-Carotene is natural colorant for the product and is derived from vegetable sources.
   
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a mixture of natural emollients that condition without the softening effect of other conditioning compounds. It is readily absorbed and reduces dryness.
   
• Carbomer is a thickener used to create a thicker, richer appearing product.
   
• Cedarwood Oil creates a sweet, woodsy aroma.
   
• Cetearyl (or Cetyl) Alcohol is an emulsifier.
   
• Cetyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol are thickeners and fatty acids.
   
• Chamomile Blue Oil is a natural oil derived from chamomile flowers and is used for sheen
   
• Chamomile Extract has soothing properties for the scalp.
   
• Citric acid makes shampoo acidic and is used to adjust the PH.
   
• Cocamide mea is a lather builder. It is hydrolyzed collagen.
   
• Collagen is a fibrous protein that is beneficial for strengthening hair.
   
• Diazolidinyl Urea is used as a preservative.
   
• Dimethicone is a conditioning ingredients.
   
• Disodiumedta is used as a preservative.
   
• DMDM Hydantoin is a preservative.
   
• Glycol distearate gives shampoo a pearlescent appearance.
   
• Hydrolized is anything that is in a form that allows water to carry it into the hair shaft.
   
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone is a fragrance.
   
• Methylisothiazolinone is a preservative.
   
• Methylparben is a preservative.
   
• Octyl salicylate is a sunscreen.
   
• Passionflower Extract is an emollient and helps to preserve the hair’s moisture balance.
   
• PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a protective emollient.
   
• Propylparaben is a preservative.
   
• Rosemary Extract has reviving, blood vessel widening and invigorating properties.
   
• Sodium chloride is a thickener that gives the shampoo a thicker, richer consistency.
   
• Sodium citrate is also a thickener. See above.
   
• Stearlonium Chloride is a conditioning agent.
   
• Tricetylmonium chloride has conditioning properties.
   
• Water is a solvent used in keeping the other ingredients in solution.
   
• Wheat protein is a non-animal source of protein used in shampoos and conditioners.
   
• Xanthan gum is a product thickener.