Cantu Shea Butter Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo
Summary
Cantu Shea Butter Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo scores 38/100 -- the 'sulfate-free' marketing claim is technically true but misleading. While the formula avoids SLS/SLES (uses Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate as primary), it loads in three classes of ingredient the clean-beauty world generally avoids: (1) Cocamide DIPA (isopropanolamine class, N-nitrosamine contamination risk, same family as the CA-Prop-65-flagged Cocamide MEA), (2) Acrylates Copolymer AND Polyester-37/11 -- two synthetic film-formers classified as primary microplastics by the EU/ECHA, (3) THREE PEG/ethoxylated ingredients (PEG-150 Distearate + Polysorbate 20 + Steareth-4) with 1,4-dioxane contamination risk. Plus Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, undisclosed Fragrance, and Benzyl Benzoate disclosed allergen. The genuine plant payload is modest: Shea Butter, Glycerin, Panthenol. Lands below Method body wash (33) tier because of the microplastic + PEG load. PDC Brands owner.
At a glance
Key ingredients 13
Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateBad
Anionic surfactant; milder than SLS/SLES but harsher than glucosides. EWG 2-3.
See more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate →Cocamide DIPAVery Bad
Isopropanolamine surfactant booster; same ethanolamine class as the CA-Prop-65-flagged Cocamide MEA. N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with secondary amines.
See more about Cocamide DIPA →Acrylates CopolymerVery Bad
Synthetic film-forming polymer; ECHA-classified primary microplastic. EU-restricted in rinse-off cosmetics.
See more about Acrylates Copolymer →Polyester-37 / Polyester-11Very Bad
Synthetic polyester polymer; classified as primary microplastic. No functional benefit to hair that clean alternatives don't provide.
See more about Polyester-37 / Polyester-11 →PEG-150 Distearate + Polysorbate 20 + Steareth-4Bad
Three ethoxylated ingredients; all carry 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from the ethoxylation manufacturing step.
See more about PEG-150 Distearate + Polysorbate 20 + Steareth-4 →PhenoxyethanolBad
Synthetic preservative; EWG 4. EU restricted in baby products.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →Disodium EDTABad
Chelator; mild penetration enhancer and environmentally persistent.
See more about Disodium EDTA →Fragrance (Parfum) + Benzyl BenzoateVery Bad
Undisclosed fragrance plus one disclosed allergen (Benzyl Benzoate).
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + Benzyl Benzoate →Cocamidopropyl BetaineGood
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; gentle co-surfactant.
See more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine →GlycerinVery Good
Gold-standard humectant; plant-derived, EWG 1.
See more about Glycerin →Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) ButterVery Good
Fair-Trade-certified plant butter; triterpene-rich with documented anti-inflammatory and barrier-restoring activity.
See more about Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter →Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)Very Good
Provitamin B5; penetrates the hair shaft and improves softness and elasticity.
See more about Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) →Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGood
Plant-derived cationic conditioning polymer. EWG 1.
See more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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