No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner

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.

An ester oil used as an emollient and texture enhancer. The CIR Expert Panel assessed alkyl PEG/PPG ethers as safe in current cosmetic practices when formulated to be non-irritating. Its larger molecular structure limits skin penetration.

A lightweight, odorless emollient made by combining coconut or palm-derived fatty acids with glycerin. It spreads easily, feels non-greasy, and has a long history of use in skin and hair products with no meaningful irritation or sensitization signal.

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

A preservative that works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde to keep microbes from growing in the product. It is a well-documented contact allergen for a subset of users, which is why formaldehyde releasers are worth knowing about even though most people tolerate them fine.

A quaternary ammonium salt used as a conditioning and antistatic agent in hair products. It has been extensively documented as safe in cosmetics when used in typical rinse-off formulations.

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

A lightweight hydrocarbon that gives formulas a smooth, silky feel. Used in color cosmetics and sunscreens. Well tolerated and inert.

A preservative and humectant that prevents microbial growth while adding hydration. It is approved in both the EU and US and is graded as low concern in cosmetic assessments. It offers good tolerability across formulation types.

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

A corn-derived solvent and humectant that has largely replaced propylene glycol in "clean" formulas; CIR reviewed the alkane diol group and found use concentrations up to about 40 percent in leave-on products like deodorant sticks with no meaningful irritation signal.

A lightweight polyethylene glycol that draws moisture into skin and helps dissolve other ingredients. Published safety reviews support its use; concerns about absorption through skin are overstated for leave-on formulations.

A rich botanical oil from avocado fruit, used to nourish and soften the skin. It is generally well tolerated across skin types and provides conditioning benefits.

A light, linoleic-acid-rich oil extracted from grape seeds, traditionally used for skin conditioning. It is generally well tolerated, though botanical sensitivity and rare allergic reactions are possible, especially for those with grape allergies.

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.

A silicone-based UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection. Approved in cosmetics and graded safe; the silicone backbone makes it stable and non-irritating.

A modified guar gum used to thicken and stabilize emulsions and gels. It is derived from guar beans and is well tolerated when applied topically. It is common in skincare formulas where a smooth texture is valued.

A nutrient-rich carrier oil from soybean seeds containing linoleic and linolenic acids essential for barrier function. Phytoestrogen content is present but not absorbed systemically from topical application, graded low concern by regulatory assessments.

A silicone-based polymer with amino groups that deposits on hair to provide conditioning and smoothing benefits. It is extensively used in hair care products with a long track record of safe use in rinse-off formulations.

A synthetic antioxidant approved in the EU and used at low levels to prevent product degradation and extend shelf life. Not absorbed through skin and presents no safety concern in cosmetic formulations.

A widely used preservative, safe at the legal limit of 1% or less. Often the "paraben-free" replacement.

A jasmine-like fragrance compound frequently used in soaps and lotions. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, though studies suggest its sensitization potency is comparatively low relative to other listed allergens.