BASED Leave In Conditioner (Santal)
Summary
BASED Leave In Conditioner scores 95/100 -- a premium, non-toxic leave-in. 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 quaternary ammonium 'quats', no phenoxyethanol, no synthetic fragrance. Independently lab tested. The conditioning payload is real plant oils -- castor and avocado -- paired with the Olivem 1000 plant emulsifier system (Cetearyl + Sorbitan Olivate), glycerin for humectancy, and cetearyl alcohol as a fatty (non-drying) emulsifier. Vitamin E stabilizes the oils, guar gum and hydroxyethylcellulose do the thickening that silicones do in conventional formulas, and food-grade potassium sorbate + sodium benzoate handle preservation.
At a glance
Key ingredients 15
GlycerinVery Good
Gold-standard humectant; draws moisture into the stratum corneum and offsets any drying from cleansing or styling. Plant-derived, EWG 1.
See more about Glycerin →Castor OilVery Good
Ricinoleic acid-rich oil with documented humectant and emollient activity for hair shaft conditioning. Improves shine and elasticity, reduces frizz, and unlike silicones it can be washed out without sulfate shampoos.
See more about Castor Oil →Avocado OilVery Good
Source of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), Vitamin E, and beta-sitosterol; penetrates the hair cortex (one of the few oils that does, alongside coconut and olive) and reduces protein loss during washing.
See more about Avocado Oil →Cetearyl OlivateVery Good
Olive-derived plant emulsifier (component of Olivem 1000); biomimetic to skin lipids, gentle on the barrier, replaces PEG and silicone-based emulsifiers.
See more about Cetearyl Olivate →Sorbitan OlivateVery Good
Olive-derived plant emulsifier (component of Olivem 1000); pairs with Cetearyl Olivate for a biomimetic emulsion. Replaces PEG and silicone-based emulsifiers.
See more about Sorbitan Olivate →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) →Cetearyl AlcoholGood
Long-chain fatty alcohol -- NOT a drying alcohol like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. The standard plant-derived emulsifier and conditioning agent in clean hair formulas; provides smooth slip without silicone buildup.
See more about Cetearyl Alcohol →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 →Citric AcidGood
pH adjuster at trace levels; mild AHA precursor that helps maintain a slightly acidic pH compatible with the skin's acid mantle.
See more about Citric Acid →Guar GumGood
Plant-derived polysaccharide thickener (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba); delivers slip and detangling without cationic 'quat' surfactants used in most leave-ins.
See more about Guar Gum →HydroxyethylcelluloseGood
Cellulose-derived non-ionic thickener; clean, well-tolerated, replaces synthetic carbomers and PEG-based thickeners.
See more about Hydroxyethylcellulose →Sodium GluconateGood
Sodium salt of gluconic acid; functions as a mild chelating agent (binds hard-water mineral ions) and a humectant. Replaces tetrasodium EDTA, which is a stronger penetration enhancer.
See more about Sodium Gluconate →Sodium HydroxideGood
pH adjuster used in trace amounts to bring the formula to a slightly-acidic pH. At formulation levels (well under 0.1%) it's fully neutralized by the citric acid and acts only as a buffer.
See more about Sodium Hydroxide →Naturally Derived Fragrance (Santal)Good
Sandalwood-themed scent composed of plant-derived aromatic isolates (no synthetic petrochemical fragrance). Sandalwood components (alpha- and beta-santalol) are well-tolerated topically.
See more about Naturally Derived Fragrance (Santal) →Water (Aqua)Neutral
Standard solvent base.
See more about Water (Aqua) →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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