Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner 33.8 oz

Common questions

Is Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner 33.8 oz healthy?

Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner 33.8 oz scores 65/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This conditioner contains beneficial ingredients like sunflower seed oil, panthenol, and shea butter, which provide nourishment and moisture to the hair.

Which ingredients drive Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner 33.8 oz's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behenyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil count in its favor; Amodimethicone, Fragrance/Parfum, Propylene Glycol are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner 33.8 oz

Joico
65 Fair

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

$46.00 · 33.8 fl oz · $1.36 / fluid ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 15
Harmful ingredients 6
Owned by Henkel
Category Conditioner
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 Oil
Very 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.

See more about Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil →
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Very 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.

See more about Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil →
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Very 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 Oil
Very 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.

See more about Rosa Canina Fruit Oil →
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Very 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.

See more about Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter →
Behentrimonium Chloride
Good

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.

See more about Behentrimonium Chloride →
Behenyl Alcohol
Good

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.

See more about Behenyl Alcohol →
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
Good

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.

See more about Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil →
Panthenol
Good

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.

See more about Panthenol →
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Good

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) Peptide
Good

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 Keratin
Good

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 Unsaponifiables
Good

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.

See more about Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables →
Glycerin
Good

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.

See more about Glycerin →
Tocopherol
Good

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.

See more about Tocopherol →
Water/Aqua/Eau
Neutral

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.

See more about Water/Aqua/Eau →
Stearyl Alcohol
Neutral

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.

See more about Stearyl Alcohol →
Cetyl Esters
Neutral

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 Alcohol
Neutral

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.

See more about Cetyl Alcohol →
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
Neutral

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.

Phosphatidylcholine
Neutral

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.

See more about Phosphatidylcholine →
Arginine Hcl
Neutral

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.

See more about Arginine Hcl →
Hydroxypropyl Chitosan
Neutral

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.

Arginine
Neutral

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.

See more about Arginine →
Quaternium-87
Neutral

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 Dimethylamine
Neutral

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.

See more about Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine →
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Neutral

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.

See more about Distearyldimonium Chloride →
Citric Acid
Neutral

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.

See more about Citric Acid →
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Neutral

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.

See more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride →
C11-15 Pareth-7
Neutral

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-12
Neutral

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-9
Neutral

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 Malate
Neutral

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 Alcohol
Neutral

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.

See more about Isopropyl Alcohol →
Tetrasodium Edta
Neutral

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.

See more about Tetrasodium Edta →
Peg-4 Laurate
Neutral

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 Glycol
Neutral

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.

See more about Dipropylene Glycol →
C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Neutral

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 Butylcarbamate
Neutral

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.

See more about Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate →
Sodium Hydroxide
Neutral

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.

See more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Citronellol
Neutral

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.

See more about Citronellol →
Alpha-isomethyl Ionone
Neutral

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.

See more about Alpha-isomethyl Ionone →
Amodimethicone
Bad

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.

See more about Amodimethicone →
Propylene Glycol
Bad

Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.

Risks

May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Benefits

Retains moisture and improves product texture.

See more about Propylene Glycol →
Cetrimonium Chloride
Bad

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.

See more about Cetrimonium Chloride →
Phenoxyethanol
Bad

Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.

Risks

May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Benefits

Prevents microbial growth, maintaining product safety and effectiveness.

See more about Phenoxyethanol →
Fragrance/Parfum
Very 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.

See more about Fragrance/Parfum →
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.

See more about Alcohol Denat. →

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