GLOSSARY OF INGREDIENTS
What’s in your bottle and why?
At Herbal Essences, we carefully select our ingredients, to nurture your hair and give you the most enjoyable product experience possible. This list contains ingredients you can find in our products and we tell you why we selected them.
| Ingredient Name | Purpose | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Hexanediol | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| 2-t-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Acetamide MEA | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Acrylates Copolymer | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer | Polymer | Creates Product Consistency |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | Polymer | Adjusts Product Thickness |
| Acrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Alcohol Denat | Solvent | Dissolves ingredients to enhance functionality |
| Alcohol Denatured | Solvent | Dissolves ingredients to enhance functionality |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract | Botanical | Aloe |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice | Botanical | Aloe |
| Alpinia Galanga Rhizome Extract | Botanical | Blue Ginger |
| Amino Methyl Propanol | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Aminomethyl Propanol | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Ammonium Benzoate | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Ammonium Laureth Sulfate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Amp-Acrylates Copolymer | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract | Botanical | Chamomile |
| Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil | Botanical | Argan Oil |
| Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract (Leaf/Stem) | Botanical | Bamboo |
| Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract | Botanical | Bamboo |
| Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract | Botanical | Bamboo |
| Behentrimonium Chloride | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Behentrimonium Methosulfate | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Benzyl Alcohol | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Betula Alba Bark Extract | Botanical | Birch Bark |
| Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Blue 1 | Colorant | Blue Color |
| Bourbon Extract | Botanical | Bourbon |
| Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract | Botanical | Shea Butter |
| C9-11 Pareth-8 | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Caffeine | Conditioning Agent | Conditions to moisturize hair |
| Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Botanical | Green Tea |
| Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil | Botanical | Hemp Seed Oil |
| Caprylyl Glycol | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Carbomer | Stabilizing & Thickening Agent | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil | Botanical | Safflower |
| Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower Extract | Botanical | Cactus Flower |
| Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower Extract (Cactus) | Botanical | Cactus Flower |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | Conditioning Agent | Conditioner derived from plant oils |
| Cetrimonium Chloride | Surfactant | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Cetyl Alcohol | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Charcoal Extract | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Charcoal Powder | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Chitosan | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Citric Acid | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract | Botanical | White Grapefruit |
| Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Extract | Botanical | Orange Flower |
| Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Grapefruit |
| Cocamide MEA | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Coconut |
| Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Coffee Fruit |
| Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water | Botanical | Cucumber |
| Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water/Eau | Botanical | Cucumber |
| Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruitwater | Botanical | Cucumber |
| Cyclohexylamine | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Cyclopentasiloxane | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Dicetyldimonium Chloride | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Dimethicone | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Dimethiconol | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Dimethyl Ether | Aerosol Propellant | Propellant |
| Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Disodium EDTA | Chelant | Keeps Product Fresh |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Ecklonia Radiata Extract | Botanical | Sea Kelp |
| Ecklonia Radiata Extract (Sea Kelp) | Botanical | Sea Kelp |
| EDTA | Chelant | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Ethylene Brassylate | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract | Botanical | Eucalyptus |
| Ext. Violet 2 | Colorant | Violet Color |
| Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Strawberry |
| Fragrance | Fragrance | Makes Hair Smell Great |
| Fragrance/Parfum | Fragrance | Makes Hair Smell Great |
| Glutamic Acid | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Glycereth-7 Triacetate | Emollient | Conditioner To Moisturize Hair |
| Glycerin | Solvent | Dissolves ingredients to enhance functionality |
| Glyceryl Stearate | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Glycol Distearate | Opacifying Agent | Brightener derived from Plant oils |
| Glycolic Acid | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Green 3 | Colorant | Green Color |
| Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride | Polymer | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Hexyl Cinnamal | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Hexyl Salicylate | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Histidine | Antioxidant | Natural Antioxidant |
| Honey | Botanical | Honey |
| Honey Extract | Botanical | Honey |
| Honey/Miel | Botanical | Honey |
| Hydrolyzed Silk | Botanical | Silk |
| Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein | Botanical | Wheat Protein |
| Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch | Botanical | Wheat Starch |
| Hydroxyethylcellulose | Polymer | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Hydroxypropyl Guar | Polymer | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose | Polymer | Enhances Lather & Feel During Washing |
| Isobutane | Propellant | Aerosol Propellant |
| Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Isododecane | Solvent | Dissolves ingredients to enhance functionality |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | Solvent | Dissolves ingredients to enhance functionality |
| Lactic Acid | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Lauramidopropyl Betaine | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Laureth-23 | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Laureth-4 | Surfactant | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Limonene | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Linalool | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Linoleic Acid | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Lysine HCL | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Mango |
| Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil | Botanical | Tea Tree |
| Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil | Botanical | Field Mint |
| Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil | Botanical | Peppermint |
| Menthol | Fragrance / Sensate | Fragrance Ingredient / Creates Cooling Sensation |
| Methylchloroisothiazolinone | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Methylisothiazolinone | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Methylparaben | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Mixed Terpenes | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil | Botanical | Moringa Flower |
| Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract | Botanical | Sacred Lotus Flower |
| Niacinamide | Vitamin | Vitamin B3 |
| Oleyl Alcohol | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Orange 4 | Colorant | Orange Color |
| Orchis Mascula Flower Extract | Botanical | Orchid |
| Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch | Botanical | Rice Starch |
| Panthenol | Vitamin | Vitamin B |
| Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract | Botanical | Passion Flower |
| Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract | Botanical | Passion Flower |
| Passiflora Laurifolia Flower Extract | Botanical | Passion Flower |
| Passiflora Quadrangularis Flower Extract | Botanical | Passion Flower |
| Pearl Extract | Botanical | Pearls |
| PEG-10 Dimethicone | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| PEG-12 Dimethicone | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| PEG-2M | Thickening Agent | Adjusts Product Thickness |
| PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| PEG-60 Almond Glycerides | Texture Modifying Agent | Enhances The Feel Of Product Feel In Shower |
| PEG-8 Dimethicone | Silicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Avocado |
| Phenoxyethanol | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Polymethylsilsesquioxane | SIlicone | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Polyquaternium-10 | Polymer | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Polyquaternium-4 | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Polyquaternium-6 | Polymer | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Polyquaternium-7 | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Polyquaternium-76 | Polymer | Helps Reduce Static |
| Polysorbate 20 | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Polysorbate 60 | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Polysorbate 80 | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Polyurethane-14 | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Potassium Hydroxide | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Propane | Propellant | Aerosol Propellant |
| Propylene Glycol | Solvent | Dissolves ingredients to enhance functionality |
| Propylparaben | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Apricot |
| Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Wild Cherry |
| Punica Granatum Extract | Botanical | Pomegranate |
| PVP | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Quaternium-18 | Conditioning Agent | Conditioning Ingredient To Moisturize Hair |
| Quaternium-80 | Conditioning Agent | Conditioning Ingredient To Moisturize Hair |
| Red 33 | Colorant | Red Color |
| Red 4 | Colorant | Red Color |
| Retinyl Palmitate | Vitamin | Vitamin A |
| Rosa Canina Fruit Extract | Botanical | Dog Rose |
| Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract | Botanical | Cabbage Rose |
| Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract | Botanical | Rosemary |
| Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Blackberry |
| Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract | Botanical | Blackberry |
| Salicylic Acid | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract | Botanical | Elder Flower |
| Silica | Anti-Caking Agent | Cleans Away Dirt & Oil |
| Silicone Quaternium-26 | Conditioning Agent | Conditions to moisturize hair |
| Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract | Botanical | Jojoba Oil |
| Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil | Botanical | Jojoba Oil |
| Sodium Benzoate | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Sodium Chloride | Viscosity Modifier | Table Salt |
| Sodium Citrate | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Sodium Cocoamphoacetate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Sodium Hydroxide | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Sodium Laureth Sulfate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | Surfactant | Cleanser derived from plant oils |
| Sodium Salicylate | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Sodium Xylenesulfonate | Surfactant | Modifies product thickness |
| Sorbitan Caprylate | Preservative | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Sorbitol | Conditioning Agent | Conditions To Moisturize Hair |
| Spirulina Platensis Extract | Botanical | Spirulina |
| Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine | Conditioning Agent | Conditioner derived from Plant Oils |
| Stearyl Alcohol | Conditioning Agent | Conditioner derived from Plant Oils |
| Tapioca Starch | Anti-Soil Redeposition Agent | Tapioca |
| Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate | Surfactant | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes | Fragrance | Fragrance Ingredient |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | Chelant | Keeps Product Fresh |
| Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter | Botanical | Cocoa Butter |
| Tocopherol | Vitamin | Vitamin E |
| Tocopheryl Acetate | Antioxidant, Conditioning Agent | Vitamin E |
| Trideceth-10 | Emulsifier | Helps Disperse And Stabilize A Mixture |
| Triethyl Citrate | Plasticizer For Styling Polymers | Helps Hold Style |
| Trihydroxystearin | Stabilizing Agent | Thickener derived from Castor Oil |
| Triisopropanolamine | pH Adjuster | Balances pH |
| Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate | Chelant | Removes Copper |
| Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil | Botanical | Wheat Germ Oil |
| VA/Crotonates Copolymer | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Verbena Officinalis Leaf Extract | Botanical | Verbena Leaf |
| Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract | Botanical | Grape Seed |
| VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer | Polymer | Helps Hold Style |
| Water | Solvent | Purified Water |
| Water/Eau | Solvent | Purified Water |
| Yellow 10 | Colorant | Yellow Color |
| Yellow 5 | Colorant | Yellow Color |
| Yellow 6 | Colorant | Yellow Color |
| Zea Mays (Corn) Silk Extract | Botanical | Corn Silk |