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Herbal Essences · Conditioners

Hello Hydration Conditioner

·346 ml·Rinse-off
74
Some concern

Why this score

Concern43 / 55
  • Fragrance: watch if sensitive
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone: restricted
  • Methylisothiazolinone: restricted

How much genuine, cited concern the ingredients carry, weighted by how much of each is likely present and whether the product stays on or rinses off.

Transparency12 / 20
  • Uses an undisclosed "fragrance/parfum" blend, so its scent allergens are hidden.

Whether the full ingredient list, and any fragrance, are actually disclosed.

Formulation restraint19 / 25
  • 4 known irritant or fragrance-allergen ingredients: Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Needless irritant or allergen load for the product type. A clean, purposeful formula scores well without any "free-from" theater.

Scored by PlainBody Editorial against the PlainScore method · Label checked July 2026

What’s inside

WaterGenerally safe

The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.

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Stearyl AlcoholGenerally safe

A fatty alcohol derived from stearic acid that thickens creams and gives them a smooth, non-greasy glide. It is one of the fatty alcohols the CIR panel reviewed together and found safe as used, with a very low reported rate of contact sensitization.

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Behentrimonium ChlorideGenerally safe

A quaternary ammonium conditioning agent that coats hair with a positive charge to smooth the cuticle, cut static, and ease detangling; it is one of the most common conditioning ingredients in rinse-off conditioners. CIR reviewed it as part of the trimonium family and found it safe as used, including in leave-on formulas at typical concentrations.

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Cetyl AlcoholCommonly feared, low concern

A fatty alcohol used to soften skin and stabilize creams. Despite the name, it does not dry the skin.

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Coconut OilWatch if sensitive

A rich, solid-at-room-temperature oil that deeply softens dry skin and hair. It is well tolerated overall, but its high lauric acid content is considered comedogenic by many dermatologists, so it can trigger breakouts in people who are acne-prone.

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Zea Mays (Corn) StarchGenerally safe

Natural corn starch used to absorb excess oil and add body to cosmetic formulas. It is very well-tolerated and has a long history of safe use in personal care.

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FragranceWatch if sensitive

An undisclosed scent blend that can contain dozens of components. The single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy, and the blend is not itemized, so you cannot see what is in it.

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Benzyl AlcoholWatch if sensitive

A common preservative and fragrance/solvent ingredient found naturally in many essential oils. It is well tolerated by most people at the levels used in cosmetics, but it is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens and can trigger reactions in people with an existing sensitivity.

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Disodium EDTACommonly feared, low concern

A chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to keep formulas stable and preservatives working properly. It is not a functional skincare "active" and only a very small amount is used, with minimal skin penetration expected.

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MethylchloroisothiazolinoneRestricted

Methylchloroisothiazolinone is typically used together with methylisothiazolinone in a 3:1 mix and is a well-documented skin sensitizer at higher rates than most preservatives. EU rules now restrict this combination to rinse-off products only, at a low maximum concentration.

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MethylisothiazolinoneRestricted

A preservative that caused a wave of contact allergy in the 2010s. The EU banned it from leave-on products and tightly limits it in rinse-off ones. A genuine concern, not a myth.

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FD&C Blue No. 1Watch if sensitive

An FDA-approved synthetic colorant used in cosmetics to impart a blue hue. Blue dye sensitivity is rare but documented in a small subset of individuals. Generally well tolerated at regulated cosmetic levels.

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FD&C Yellow No. 5Watch if sensitive

An FDA-approved synthetic colorant commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. A small proportion of individuals report sensitivity or allergic reactions, particularly those with existing dye sensitivities. Remains safe at approved cosmetic concentrations.

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Note: this product hides its scent as an undisclosed “fragrance/parfum” blend, so its specific allergens are not on the label.

Lower-concern alternatives

Same category, higher PlainScore.

Compare Hello Hydration Conditioner against anything we have scored →

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Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern ratings are evidence-graded and cited on each ingredient page. See how we score.