BASED Conditioner
At a glance
Summary
BASED Conditioner scores 96/100 -- a premium, non-toxic conditioner. Zero silicones (no dimethicone, cyclomethicone, or amodimethicone -- the ingredients that build up on hair and require sulfate shampoos to remove), zero parabens, zero phthalates, zero endocrine disruptors, no PEGs, no phenoxyethanol, no synthetic fragrance, no behentrimonium/cetrimonium chloride. Independently lab tested. The conditioning system is hydrolyzed keratin (real cortex-penetrating protein repair), coconut oil and argan oil for cuticle sealing, glycerin and sodium gluconate for humectancy, and cetearyl alcohol as a fatty (non-drying) emulsifier. Peppermint essential oil provides a single-source named scent. Food-grade potassium sorbate + sodium benzoate handle preservation. The conditioner uses guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride -- a guar-derived cationic conditioning polymer -- for slip and detangling. It's technically a quaternary ammonium compound, but it's the plant-based, biodegradable variant rated EWG 1, which is why most clean-beauty brands choose it over the petroleum-derived alternatives.
Key ingredients 15
Hydrolyzed KeratinVery Good
Enzymatically broken-down keratin protein fragments small enough to penetrate the hair cortex and bind to damaged sites. Genuine repair activity (Wickett 1991), not just superficial coating like silicones.
See more about Hydrolyzed Keratin →Tocopherol (Vitamin E)Very Good
Lipid-soluble antioxidant that stabilizes oils in the formula and protects skin lipids from oxidative damage. Synergistic with most plant oils.
See more about Tocopherol (Vitamin E) →Argan OilVery Good
Cold-pressed from Argania spinosa kernels; rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids plus tocopherols and squalene. Penetrates the hair cuticle and reduces protein loss.
See more about Argan Oil →Peppermint OilVery Good
Single-source named essential oil -- fully transparent compared to 'naturally derived fragrance' listings. Menthol provides cooling sensation and stimulates scalp circulation, with a small RCT (Oh 2014) showing increased follicle depth and density at 3% topical application.
See more about Peppermint Oil →GlycerinGood
Humectant that draws moisture to the skin — a beneficial base ingredient.
See more about Glycerin →Coconut OilGood
Source of medium-chain lauric acid with documented antimicrobial activity against acne-relevant skin bacteria; clean emollient base.
See more about Coconut Oil →Caprylyl/Capryl GlucosideGood
Sugar/coconut-derived non-ionic surfactant; same gentle class as decyl glucoside used in the cleanser and body wash.
See more about Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside →HydroxyethylcelluloseGood
Cellulose-derived non-ionic thickener; clean, well-tolerated, replaces synthetic carbomers and PEG-based thickeners.
See more about Hydroxyethylcellulose →Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGood
Plant-derived (guar bean) cationic conditioning polymer. Technically a quaternary ammonium compound, but it's the cleanest commercially available variant -- biodegradable, EWG 1, the standard substitute for petroleum-derived behentrimonium chloride.
See more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride →Potassium Sorbate + Sodium BenzoateGood
Food-grade preservative pair; EWG 1-3, the cleanest broadly-effective system available. Replaces phenoxyethanol.
See more about Potassium Sorbate + Sodium Benzoate →ArginineGood
Amino acid; functions as a buffering pH adjuster and contributes minor humectant activity. Inert at use levels.
See more about Arginine →Cetearyl AlcoholNeutral
Fatty-alcohol emulsifier — not a drying 'alcohol'; inert in formulations.
See more about Cetearyl Alcohol →Citric AcidNeutral
Common acidulant and preservative — safe at typical use levels, neither beneficial nor harmful.
See more about Citric Acid →Sodium GluconateNeutral
Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.
See more about Sodium Gluconate →Water (Aqua)Neutral
Standard solvent base.
See more about Water (Aqua) →Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
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