Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner 33.8 oz
Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores
At a glance
Summary
This conditioner contains beneficial ingredients like sunflower seed oil, panthenol, and shea butter, which provide nourishment and moisture to the hair. However, the presence of non-water-soluble silicone (amodimethicone) and synthetic fragrance can lead to buildup and potential sensitivities. Additionally, the inclusion of drying alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol may contribute to hair dryness and brittleness, impacting the overall score.
Key ingredients 48
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilVery Good
Sunflower Seed Oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, providing nourishment and moisture to the hair. It helps to condition and protect the hair, enhancing its overall health and appearance. It is a natural and beneficial ingredient in hair care.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Nourishes and moisturizes hair, enhancing health and appearance.
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit OilVery Good
Olive Fruit Oil is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, providing nourishment and moisture to the hair. It helps to condition and protect the hair, enhancing its overall health and appearance. It is a natural and beneficial ingredient in hair care.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Nourishes and moisturizes hair, enhancing health and appearance.
Moringa Oleifera Seed OilVery Good
Moringa Seed Oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, providing nourishment and moisture to the hair. It helps to condition and protect the hair, enhancing its overall health and appearance. It is a natural and beneficial ingredient in hair care.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Nourishes and moisturizes hair, enhancing health and appearance.
Rosa Canina Fruit OilVery Good
Rosehip Oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, providing nourishment and moisture to the hair. It helps to condition and protect the hair, enhancing its overall health and appearance. It is a natural and beneficial ingredient in hair care.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Nourishes and moisturizes hair, enhancing health and appearance.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) ButterVery Good
Shea Butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, known for its moisturizing and conditioning properties. It helps to soften and protect the hair, enhancing its overall health and appearance. It is a highly beneficial ingredient in hair care.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Moisturizes and conditions hair, enhancing health and appearance.
Behentrimonium ChlorideGood
Behentrimonium Chloride is a conditioning agent that helps to detangle hair and reduce static. It is effective in improving hair manageability and is generally well-tolerated. It is a common ingredient in conditioners for its conditioning properties.
Risks
May cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with eyes.
Benefits
Improves hair manageability and reduces static.
Behenyl AlcoholGood
Behenyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener. It helps to improve the texture of the product and provides conditioning benefits to the hair. It is generally considered safe and beneficial in hair care products.
Risks
Rarely, it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Improves product texture and provides conditioning benefits.
Glycine Soja (Soybean) OilGood
Soybean Oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, providing nourishment and moisture to the hair. It helps to condition and protect the hair, improving its overall health and appearance. It is a beneficial ingredient in hair care formulations.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Nourishes and moisturizes hair, improving health and appearance.
PanthenolGood
Panthenol is a provitamin of B5 that acts as a moisturizer and humectant. It helps to improve hair elasticity, moisture retention, and shine. It is widely used in hair care products for its beneficial properties.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Improves hair elasticity, moisture retention, and shine.
Hydrogenated Olive OilGood
Hydrogenated Olive Oil is used for its emollient and conditioning properties. It helps to moisturize and protect the hair, enhancing its softness and manageability. It is a beneficial ingredient in hair care formulations.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Moisturizes and protects hair, enhancing softness and manageability.
Avena Sativa (Oat) PeptideGood
Oat Peptide is used for its conditioning and soothing properties. It helps to strengthen and protect the hair, improving its overall health and resilience. It is a beneficial ingredient in hair care formulations.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Strengthens and protects hair, improving health and resilience.
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed KeratinGood
Hydrolyzed Keratin is used for its strengthening and conditioning properties. It helps to repair and protect the hair, improving its overall health and resilience. It is a beneficial ingredient in hair care formulations.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Repairs and protects hair, improving health and resilience.
Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil UnsaponifiablesGood
Olive Oil Unsaponifiables are used for their emollient and conditioning properties. They help to moisturize and protect the hair, enhancing its softness and manageability. They are a beneficial ingredient in hair care formulations.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Moisturizes and protects hair, enhancing softness and manageability.
GlycerinGood
Glycerin is a humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the hair. It improves hair hydration and softness, making it a beneficial ingredient in hair care products. It is widely used for its moisturizing properties.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Attracts and retains moisture, improving hair hydration and softness.
TocopherolGood
Tocopherol, also known as Vitamin E, is an antioxidant that helps to protect the hair from environmental damage. It provides nourishment and improves the overall health and appearance of the hair. It is a beneficial ingredient in hair care formulations.
Risks
Generally considered safe with minimal risk of irritation.
Benefits
Protects hair from environmental damage and provides nourishment.
Water/Aqua/EauNeutral
Water is a universal solvent and is used as a base in many cosmetic formulations. It helps to dissolve other ingredients and provides a medium for them to be applied to the hair. It does not have any direct benefits or risks when used in conditioners.
Benefits
Provides a medium for other ingredients to be applied effectively.
Stearyl AlcoholNeutral
Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.
Risks
Rarely, it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Softens and smooths hair, improving texture and manageability.
Cetyl EstersNeutral
Cetyl Esters are used as emollients and thickeners in hair care products. They help to provide a smooth texture and enhance the feel of the product. They are generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Enhances product texture and feel.
Cetyl AlcoholNeutral
Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.
Risks
Rarely, it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Softens and conditions hair, improving manageability.
Dicetyldimonium ChlorideNeutral
Dicetyldimonium Chloride is a conditioning agent that helps to reduce static and improve hair manageability. It is effective in smoothing the hair cuticle and is generally well-tolerated. It is commonly used in conditioners for its conditioning properties.
Risks
May cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with eyes.
Benefits
Reduces static and improves hair manageability.
PhosphatidylcholineNeutral
Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid that can act as an emulsifier and conditioning agent. It helps to improve the texture and feel of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and feel.
Arginine HclNeutral
Arginine is an amino acid that can help to improve blood circulation and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. It is used in hair care products for its potential benefits in promoting healthy hair growth. However, its direct effects in topical applications are not well-documented.
Benefits
May promote healthy hair growth by improving nutrient delivery.
Hydroxypropyl ChitosanNeutral
Hydroxypropyl Chitosan is used as a film-forming agent and conditioning polymer. It helps to improve the texture and feel of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and feel.
ArginineNeutral
Arginine is an amino acid that can help to improve blood circulation and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. It is used in hair care products for its potential benefits in promoting healthy hair growth. However, its direct effects in topical applications are not well-documented.
Benefits
May promote healthy hair growth by improving nutrient delivery.
Quaternium-87Neutral
Quaternium-87 is a conditioning agent that helps to reduce static and improve hair manageability. It is effective in smoothing the hair cuticle and is generally well-tolerated. It is commonly used in conditioners for its conditioning properties.
Risks
May cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with eyes.
Benefits
Reduces static and improves hair manageability.
Stearamidopropyl DimethylamineNeutral
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine is a conditioning agent that helps to detangle hair and reduce static. It is effective in improving hair manageability and is generally well-tolerated. It is a common ingredient in conditioners for its conditioning properties.
Risks
May cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with eyes.
Benefits
Improves hair manageability and reduces static.
Distearyldimonium ChlorideNeutral
Distearyldimonium Chloride is a conditioning agent that helps to reduce static and improve hair manageability. It is effective in smoothing the hair cuticle and is generally well-tolerated. It is commonly used in conditioners for its conditioning properties.
Risks
May cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with eyes.
Benefits
Reduces static and improves hair manageability.
Citric AcidNeutral
Citric Acid is used to adjust the pH of cosmetic formulations. It helps to maintain the stability and effectiveness of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating in hair care products.
Benefits
Helps maintain product stability and effectiveness.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideNeutral
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a conditioning agent derived from guar gum. It helps to improve hair manageability and reduce static. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves hair manageability and reduces static.
C11-15 Pareth-7Neutral
C11-15 Pareth-7 is a surfactant and emulsifier used in cosmetic formulations. It helps to improve the texture and stability of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and stability.
Trideceth-12Neutral
Trideceth-12 is a surfactant and emulsifier used in cosmetic formulations. It helps to improve the texture and stability of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and stability.
Laureth-9Neutral
Laureth-9 is a surfactant and emulsifier used in cosmetic formulations. It helps to improve the texture and stability of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and stability.
Diethylhexyl MalateNeutral
Diethylhexyl Malate is used as an emollient and skin conditioning agent. It helps to improve the texture and feel of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and feel.
Isopropyl AlcoholNeutral
Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.
Risks
Can cause dryness and brittleness in hair.
Benefits
Acts as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients.
Tetrasodium EdtaNeutral
Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent used to improve the stability and effectiveness of cosmetic formulations. It helps to bind metal ions and prevent them from affecting the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product stability and effectiveness.
Peg-4 LaurateNeutral
PEG-4 Laurate is a surfactant and emulsifier used in cosmetic formulations. It helps to improve the texture and stability of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves product texture and stability.
Dipropylene GlycolNeutral
Dipropylene Glycol is used as a solvent and humectant in cosmetic formulations. It helps to retain moisture and improve the texture of the product. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Retains moisture and improves product texture.
C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium EthosulfateNeutral
This ingredient is used as a conditioning agent in hair care products. It helps to improve hair manageability and reduce static. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Benefits
Improves hair manageability and reduces static.
Iodopropynyl ButylcarbamateNeutral
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate is a preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic formulations. It helps to maintain the product's safety and effectiveness. It is generally considered safe, but some individuals may experience sensitivity.
Risks
May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Prevents microbial growth, maintaining product safety and effectiveness.
Sodium HydroxideNeutral
Sodium Hydroxide is used to adjust the pH of cosmetic formulations. It helps to maintain the stability and effectiveness of the product. It is generally considered safe when used in small amounts.
Benefits
Helps maintain product stability and effectiveness.
CitronellolNeutral
Citronellol is a fragrance component used to impart a pleasant scent to the product. It is derived from natural sources such as rose and geranium oils. It is generally considered safe, but some individuals may experience sensitivity.
Risks
May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Provides a pleasant scent to the product.
Alpha-isomethyl IononeNeutral
Alpha-isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance component used to impart a pleasant scent to the product. It is generally considered safe, but some individuals may experience sensitivity. It is commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its fragrance properties.
Risks
May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Provides a pleasant scent to the product.
AmodimethiconeBad
Amodimethicone is a silicone-based compound used for its conditioning properties. However, it is non-water-soluble and can lead to buildup on the hair over time. This buildup can make hair feel heavy and less manageable.
Risks
Can cause buildup, making hair feel heavy and less manageable.
Benefits
Provides initial conditioning and smoothness to hair.
Propylene GlycolBad
Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.
Risks
May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Retains moisture and improves product texture.
Cetrimonium ChlorideBad
Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.
Risks
May cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with eyes.
Benefits
Reduces static and improves hair manageability.
PhenoxyethanolBad
Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.
Risks
May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Prevents microbial growth, maintaining product safety and effectiveness.
Fragrance/ParfumVery Bad
Fragrance is used to impart a pleasant scent to the product. However, synthetic fragrances can cause allergic reactions and sensitivities in some individuals. They are often criticized for their lack of transparency regarding specific chemical components.
Risks
Potential for allergic reactions and sensitivities.
Benefits
Provides a pleasant scent to the product.
Alcohol Denat.Very Bad
Denatured Alcohol is a drying alcohol that can strip moisture from the hair. It is used as a solvent and can contribute to dryness and brittleness if used in high concentrations. It is generally not recommended for use in hair care products.
Risks
Can cause dryness and brittleness in hair.
Benefits
Acts as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients.
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