Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner

A plant-derived water or extract used mainly as a soothing humectant filler. Evidence for dramatic skin benefits beyond mild hydration and soothing is limited, but it is well tolerated by most people.

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

A blend of cetyl and stearyl fatty alcohols used to thicken lotions and soften skin. It is chemically unrelated to drying alcohols like ethanol, and the CIR expert panel has found fatty alcohols safe as used in cosmetics.

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.

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

A humectant that draws water into the skin. One of the best-studied, best-tolerated ingredients in personal care.

A rich plant butter pressed from shea tree nuts, valued for softening and cushioning dry skin. It is generally well tolerated, though very rare allergic reactions have been reported and people with tree nut allergies who are cautious may want to patch test first.

A lightweight carrier oil expressed from macadamia nuts, rich in oleic acid and similar in composition to skin lipids. Very well tolerated in cosmetic use, though individuals with tree nut allergies who are cautious may want to patch test.

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.

A soothing humectant that helps skin and hair look conditioned. Very well tolerated.

A polymer of quaternary ammonium compounds widely used as a conditioning and antistatic agent in hair products. It is well established in cosmetic formulations with a strong safety record in rinse-off applications.

A positively charged conditioning polymer used in shampoos and conditioners to reduce frizz and improve manageability. It is well tolerated and has been safely used in cosmetics for decades.

A cationic conditioning agent used in rinse-off products like shampoos and conditioners to provide softness and detangling. Generally well tolerated but can cause irritation at high concentrations in some individuals.

A lightweight, silicone-like emollient derived from coconut/palm fatty alcohols, used to give lotions a smoother, less greasy feel. Listed in the EU CosIng database as a skin-conditioning agent with no restrictions.

A synthetic ester used to thin out heavy formulas and help other ingredients absorb faster. It is considered safe as used by CIR, but it has a reputation among acne-prone users for feeling occlusive on skin, so people who clog easily may prefer to patch test or choose lighter alternatives.

A nonionic emulsifier from the same family as Steareth-2, used to hold oil and water phases together in lotions and roll-on antiperspirants. Well tolerated in rinse-off and leave-on formulas. Approved for cosmetic use.

A fast-evaporating solvent used to carry actives and create a light, quick-drying texture in toners and washes. At the concentrations used in rinse-off and brief-contact formulas, it has a well-established safety record, though repeated contact with high-concentration formulas can be drying.

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

A strong alkali used in tiny amounts to adjust the pH of cosmetics to safe, skin-friendly levels. At the pH found in finished products, sodium hydroxide is neutralized and well tolerated.

A starch derivative used in cosmetics to thicken formulations and improve texture. It has been used safely in food and cosmetics for decades and shows low irritation potential across rinse-off and leave-on products.

The sodium salt of benzoic acid, used as a preservative in both foods and cosmetics. Decades of safety review support its use at typical cosmetic concentrations, with mild irritation the main reported issue in sensitive skin.

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.