Green Your Beauty

Products for the ‘Conditioner’ Category

RATING:3 TREES
Product Link:

I need to begin this review with raving about how delicious this conditioner smells! I purchased mine at Whole Foods and it’s also available via the website, drugstore.com, and probably various other health food stores/websites.

PROS:
+ prevents against color fade
+ primarily natural
+ scent is yummy! *
+ product comes out easily
+ grape seed may help prevent dandruff
+ good for colored hair

CONS:
– contains phenoxyethanol
– contains glycerin, may not be vegan
– contains panthenol, may not be vegan
– contains glyceryl undecylenate
– contains synthetic fragrance*
– thin consistency – need to use a lot of product
– packaging: won’t stand upside on its own

INGREDIENTS:
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail) Leaf/Stem Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Viola Tricolor (Wild Pansy) Extract, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Stearalkonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

FINAL VERDICT: This conditioner does have a fair amount of mild-concern chemicals, as well as phenoxyethanol, which is a moderate hazard, and fragrance, which can be a moderate or severe hazard. My broken record tells you that because the conditioner doesn’t really penetrate the skin, this doesn’t bother me as much and I personally am more concerned about the scent and the texture, so I’m willing to forgive the presence of the ingredients as long as there aren’t parabens and drying alcohols, (cetyl alcohol is not supposed to be drying). I prefer this much more to the Depth conditioner, which had a weird plasticy, almost mildewy scent to it. The pomegranate smell even lingers a bit after you use it. I am tempted to try the shampoo, but it contains sodium lauryl sulfate which tends to irritate my scalp. We shall see! In short, I do recommend this conditioner, especially if smell is a priority for you, with the disclaimer that there are some ingredients of concern, and it is not vegetarian. I would love for the company to remove some of the chemicals to make it more natural and I will plan on emailing them about this. Let me know what you think if you try it! I did decide to change my “4″ to  “3″ as I have noticed that this conditioner has been causing some buildup and tends to leave a weird film that doesn’t fully rinse off after I use it. And so continues the search for the perfect natural conditioner.

Random possible bonus from the website:
“In recognition of the importance of rainwater to our heritage and the desire to give back to our communities, we have partnered with WaterAid to develop sustainable uses for rainwater and help communities in Asia and Africa obtain long term access to safe, clean water.”

RATING:2 TREES
Product Link:

I disliked the smell of this conditioner so much that I will not be using it again. My BF seems to think it smells okay, though, and he is going to test it out. I will have him post a comment when he does!  I bought mine from Whole Foods, and it is also on the website and drugstore.com.

PROS:
+ safe for color-treated hair
+ decent consistency
+ scent is good if you like rose
+ packaging: can easily stand upside down
+ family owned and local, (Marin, CA)
+ good for colored hair

CONS:
- contains phenoxyethanol
- contains cetrimonium bromide
- contains retinyl palminate
- contains hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
- contains dimethicone
- did not care for the rose-smell

INGREDIENTS:
Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Organic Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Organic Olive (Olea Europaea) Oil, Behenalkonium Chloride (and) Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hibiscus (Rosa Sinensis) Extract, Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) Extract, Color Protecting Complex [Green Tea (Camelia Sinensis) Extract, Sunflower (Helianthus Annus) Seed Extract], Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, EO^® Organic Herb Blend [Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis), Organic Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) Extract, Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract, and Organic White Tea (Camelia Sinensis) Leaf Extract], EO^® Essential Oil Blend [Bergamot (Citrus Bergmia) Essential Oil, Geranium (Pelargonium Graveleons) Essential Oil, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Essential Oil, Ho Leaf (Cinnamomum Comphora) Essential Oil, Palmarosa (Cymbopogon Martini) Essential Oil, Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin) Essential Oil, Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Essential Oil, Rose (Rosa Damascena) Essential Oil, Rosewood (Aniba Rosaeodora) Essential Oil], Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Bromide, Organic Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Amodimethicone, Sodium Phytate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

FINAL VERDICT: I was hoping to like this conditioner, having had a good experience with the chamomile and honey one. Unfortunately the smell did not mesh well with me. While I like roses on anniversaries and special occasions, am known to refresh with a little rose mist now and then, and have even been known to stop and smell them, I don’t think I want them in my cosmetics. If you love the smell of roses, then you just may love the smell of this product. The consistency was was okay. Not quite as thick as I would like, and had to use more product than usual. My hair was easy to comb through afterward, (partly due in fact to the addition of Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride and Dimethicone), and does look shiny. Between the smell and the aforementioned ingredients in the cons section, I would have to say that I do not recommend this product.

RATING:3 TREES
Product Link:

I am almost done with this bottle and it is fantastic! I bought mine from Whole Foods, and it is also on the website and drugstore.com.

PROS:
+ great for dry hair, very moisturizing
+ sweet/beachy smell
+ user friendly/product comes from the bottom
+ 70% organic
+ 100% vegetarian
+ good for colored hair
+ mostly recognizable ingredients

CONS:
– sodium benzoate
– I am starting to notice a plasticy smell as I near the end of the bottle.

INGREDIENTS:
purified water, stearylalkonium chloride, certified organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, vegetable glycerin, ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) extract, cetyl alcohol, palmaria palmata (red algae) extract, glyceryl stearate, fucus vesiculosus (seaweed) extract, sunflower seed oil, macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp) extract, soy protein, panthenol (vitamin b-12), tocopherol (vitamin e), citric acid, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, natural aroma blend, ethylhexylglycerin.

FINAL VERDICT: This is the best conditioner that I have found so far in the “natural” category. I don’t need to use half the bottle to moisturize my dry color-treated hair and I adore the smell. It is perfect for summer and really makes you feel like you are ready to hit the beach, even if you are about to sit in a cubical all day. Minus a star for the only slightly-concerning ingredient which is sodium benzoate which is rated a 2, (low concern), on EWG and acts as a preservative or masking fragrance. It may be linked to cancer, and organ/neuro-toxicity. I have said it before and will say it again, that with a conditioner that does not sit on my skin, I am not as concerned about chemicals since it gets washed off right away. In short, this is an effective product and I recommend it. The only thing that is strange is I am starting to notice a faint plastic smell coming from the bottle. I am not sure if it has to do with it being type 2 plastic, or if it is something in the product. I will update if I find more information on this. Has anyone else noticed a plastic smell? Update 7/28/10: I previously had rated this 4 stores but am going down to 3 because of the lingering plasticy smell. I am scent sensitive, however, so you may not notice it!

RATING: 4 TREES
Product Link:

I love the idea of a natural leave-in conditioner. I bought mine at Whole Foods and it is also available on the product website.

PROS:
+ the website  informs you  is not vegan because it contains lanolin.
+ minimal, recognizable ingredients
+ does exactly what it says: detangles and conditions
+ compact, eco-friendly bottle..good for traveling

CONS:
– the smell, ick!
– not vegan

INGREDIENTS:
Witch Hazel (natural herbal extract), Deionized Water, Mucopolysaccharides*, Organic Lavender Oil, Lanolin, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5).

FINAL VERDICT: This is a great product, it’s not greasy, the bottle is great for traveling. I originally bought this to protect my hair from salt water for an upcoming trip. I get SUPER tangly hair and lose a ton of hair due to this when I comb it after the shower. It was easier to comb through after using this product and feels nice and soft…..buuuuutttt…the smell did not mesh well with me at all. I am not sure what it was, but it reminded me too much of my dead grandma, (when she was alive). Not that I mind positive memories of her, but I was never a fan of the baby powder old-person smell. It may not be bad for you, and I have seen some positive reviews about the smell. It also does get a little bit more pleasant after you blow-dry. However, I think when it comes to leave-in conditioner, I need the synthetic fragrance. Bottom line: this could be an excellent product for you, just save your receipt just in case you don’t end up loving the smell.

*I have found differing definitions of this but it appears to range as being described as a class of polysaccharides, to a type of sulphur, to a substance in your body present in connective tissue. It didn’t come up as its own ingredient on EWG but the ingredients it seemed to link to were low hazard (1). It doesn’t appear to be a harmful chemical, and actually came up as possible hair growth promoter! If anyone has more info on this ingredient feel free to comment it along!

RATING: 3 TREES
Product Link:

I am almost through my first bottle of this conditioner. I like it! I bought mine at While Foods. It is available on the EO website, as well as drugstore.com, various drug stores, etc.

PROS:
+ nice, understated herby smell
+ nice consistency, good for dry hair
+ packaging: stands upside down by itself
+ relatively natural ingredients
+ family owned and local (Marin, CA)

CONS:
– contains phenoxyethanol
– contains centrimonium bromide
– contains guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
– contains dimethicone

INGREDIENTS:
Water Purified, Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate/Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Organic Olive Oil, Behenalkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hibiscus Extract, Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica Extract), Green Tea Extract (Color Protecting Complex), Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Extract (Color Protecting Complex), Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (EO Organic Herb Blend), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (EO Organic Herb Blend), Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Extract (EO Organic Herb Blend), White Tea Leaf Extract (EO Organic Herb Blend), Bergamot (Citrus Aurantium Bergamia) Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Geranium Essential Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Grapefruit Essential Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Ho Leaf Essential Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon Martini) Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Patchouli Extract (EO Essential Oil Blend), Patchouli Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Chamomile Essential Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Rose Essential Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Rosewood Essential Oil (EO Essential Oil Blend), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Bromide, Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Amodimethicone, Sodium Phytate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

FINAL VERDICT: I liked this conditioner, however there were a bit too many chemicals in it for me to use it again. If you don’t mind the addition of the chemicals mentioned in the ‘cons’ and are looking for a decent, thick, conditioner for damaged hair, I would say this is a good bet. With conditioners, you don’t need to worry as much unless you are putting them on your scalp, since there is less chance for them to penetrate the skin. The herbal smell may be a bit strong if you are fragrance sensitive, so I recommend smelling it first. I bought the one for color-treated hair today and am looking forward to trying it! They also sell bulk versions of some of their other products, but not this one.

RATING:: NO RATING YET/TO BE DETERMINED

I personally do not have any scent allergies but recently my dad inquired and I did the minimal amount of 2-min web browsing. I cannot vouch for any of these shampoos but here’s a list of what I found. I will be straying from my “typical” blog-format on these right now, because frankly, putting up 20+ reviews in 2 days is tiring! Also feel free to do a search on “fragrance free” or “unscented” on this site and reviews matching up will show up. It you have any further unscented products, (no added oils either), to recommend, please do so!

organics shampoo

organics conditioner

The organics shampoo does have sodium coco sulfate. Overall the ingredients look decent though. Earth-friendly/herbal goodness wee!

remedies direct

Sulfate free.

SHAMPOO RATING: 4 TREES
CONDITIONER RATING: 1 TREE
Product Link:

I was previously using Bumble and Bumble which contains bad ingredients, like, a billion times more expensive, and was giving me extremely itchy scalp and seeming to increase breakage and split-ends. This review is for both the shampoo and the conditioner. It is available on their website, at most health food stores and online. I got mine at Whole Foods.

PROS:
+ smells great
+ leaves my hair very soft
+ no parabens/sulfates (in shampoo)
+ doesn’t test on animals!
+ safe for color-treated hair!

CONS:
– none for the shampoo
– the conditioner has parabens! bad, bad, bad, boycotting!

SHAMPOO INGREDIENTS: pH 5.5, Planthenol-3,Aqua (Purified Water), Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender), Hydroflorate Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Extract, Anthemus Nobilis (Chamomile) Extract, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Aloe Vera), Glycerin (Vege), Natural Tocopherol (Vit. E), Ascorbic Acid (Vit. C), Retinyl Palmitate (Vit. A), Triticum Vulgare (Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein), Decyl Glucoside, Oxybenzone, Cylopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Planthenol-3 (Plant Phosphoilpids, DL-Panthenol, Ethyl Panthenol, Steardimonium Panthenol), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoate, Natural Color, Essential Oil Blend.

CONDITIONER INGREDIENTS: Purified Soft Water, Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Cert. Org.* Extracts of: Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey), Anthemus Nobilis (Chamomile), C. Leptosepala (Marigold), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Keratin Amino Acids, Jojoba Oil, Glycerin (Vege), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vit. A), Cholecalciferol (Vit. D), Linoleic Acid (Vit. F), Cetearyl Alcohol, Planthenol-3 (Plant Phospholipids, DL-Panthenol), Cetrimonium Chloride, Ceteareth-20, Benzophenone-3, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance, Natural Color. * Certified Organic

FINAL VERDICT: I don’t know if it actually ‘highlights’ as my hair is already dyed reddish, but I did notice that it was shinier and seems to have more contrast. I will not be purchasing the conditioner again because it contains parabens and added fragrance.

RATING: 3 TREES
Product Link:

This product is ok. It smells marvelous but is not what I would call a deep conditioner.  You can buy it almost anywhere that carries “natural” products…Whole Foods, CVS pharmacy, etc.

PROS:
+ Smells great
+ paraben Free
+ sulfate Free (SLS-free)
+ Petrochemical Free
+ Phthalate Free

CONS:
– you have to use twice as much just to get the right consistency.
– packaging
– Tube Containers Hard to recycle or get product
– contains alcohol which is drying
– contains cetrimonium bromide*

INGREDIENTS:
water, cetrimonium bromide, cetearyl alcohol, sucrose laurate, glycerin, honey, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), glucose, betaine, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus tangerina (tangerine) peel oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract, citrus reticulata (tangerine/petitgrain) leaf oil, acacia senegal gum, polysorbate 60, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase

*Cetrimonium bromide is a cationic (possessing a positive electrical charge) conditioning agent and antiseptic. It is rated as a 4/5 on EWG’s database and has been linked to devopmental, neuro, and organ toxicity.

FINAL VERDICT: I probably won’t use it again because there are too many chemicals, but it’s not as bad as a lot of other conditioners chemical-wise. EWG rates it as a low hazard overall. I think it is great as an everyday conditioner but does not meet the standards of a deep conditioner. I’m not saying don’t buy it but it might be worth your while to explore other options. Hint: when the product is low, you can just cut off the end of the packaging. This also helps you clean the container out to recycle.

RATING: 3.5 Trees
Product Link:

This is an okay conditioner. I’d say it’s on par with Griffin’s remdy. Softness-wise it’s similar to Jason’s henna conditioner but oh the smell! So yummy! Doesn’t linger as much after your hair dries but if you combine it with the shampoo that may help. I bought mine at whole foods but it’s available on their website as well as a few other places listed on their website. It appears to be run by a lovely couple named  Hugo and Debra Saavedra, (hence the name Hugo I guess).

PROS:
+devoid of parabens and sulfates
+helps with tangly hair
+lightweight
+yummy smell!
+appears to be vegan
+local California, USA

CONS:
-need to use a lot of product
-bottle – awkward getting product out
-contains a lot of unnecessary ingredients

INGREDIENTS:

Aqueous Infusion of: Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Protein, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Organic Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Berry Pulp Oil, Cetyl Babassuate, Passiflora Edulis (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil, Oriza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Orbinya Olifera (Babassu) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Oleoresin Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Var. Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle) Extract, Citrus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Vanilla Planifolia (Madagascar Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil.

“Our Vanilla & Sweet Orange Conditioner is sulfate-free, cruelty-free and contains no parabens, petroleum products, animal fats, alcohols, artificial colors or artificial fragrances.”

VERDICT: I didn’t love this enough to buy it again at the moment, but it’s a nice, yummy smelling natural conditioner, and I would recommend it if you don’t need something super thick. They make other products as well, like lotion, massage oils, and candles.

RATING: 4 Trees
Product Link:

This is another product from my new-found favorite company, Griffin Remedy. It is okay but not wonderful, (mostly because of the combination of consistency and packaging). You can purchase it at some whole foods, draegers, amazon,  or buy contacting the company. The website is under construction.

PROS:
+ smells great
+ no parabens
+ minimal, recognizable ingredients
+ local company!

CONS:
– not as moisturizing for dry or damaged hair
– takes a lot of product to get desired consistency
– bottle is awkward, hard to get product out after about a week

INGREDIENTS:
purified water, coconut oil blend with emulsifiers and sugars, coconut fatty acid cream base, guar gum, aloe vera extract, wheat germ oil, vitamin B5, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, biotin, lactalbumin, sea buckthorn, rosemary oil, sage oil, horsetail extract, amino acid complex, glycoprotein, balsam oil, orange essential oil blend.

FINAL VERDICT: Love the shampoos and shower gel. However, the conditioner needs to be revamped. I have tried all of the them, and none are strong enough for my dry, wavy, hair. The packaging is awkward if you don’t have a shower set-up that doesn’t enable you to turn bottles upside down, (i.e. it is not standalone upside down/falls over). They should consider a tub or jar instead of bottles. I have emailed them with my suggestion so we’ll see! If you only need light conditioner, this product would be okay.