K18 Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo
Summary
K18 Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo scores 75/100 -- the cleanest formula in the salon-prestige tier currently scanned, by a wide margin. The active is the patented sh-Oligopeptide-78 (K18PEPTIDE) -- a biotech-derived peptide with documented evidence for reconnecting broken keratin chains from chemical and thermal damage. The supporting formula is unusually clean for a salon shampoo: no silicones, no PEGs, no parabens, no phenoxyethanol, no MCI/MIT, no behentrimonium/cetrimonium chloride, no dyes, no formaldehyde-releasers. Uses Sodium Phytate (rice-derived phytic acid) as chelator -- the cleanest commercial chelator, replacing the Tetrasodium / Disodium EDTA used in nearly every drugstore formula. The Caprylyl Glycol + Caprylhydroxamic Acid preservative pair is clean (EWG 1). The score is held below the 90s tier by two soft demerits: (1) Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate primary surfactant -- milder than SLS/SLES but harsher than glucosides (EWG 2-3, can be drying), (2) undisclosed Fragrance with one itemized Limonene allergen.
At a glance
Key ingredients 10
sh-Oligopeptide-78 (K18PEPTIDE)Very Good
Patented biotech-derived peptide; documented evidence for reconnecting broken polypeptide chains and disulfide bonds in keratin. The K18 active.
See more about sh-Oligopeptide-78 (K18PEPTIDE) →Sodium PhytateVery Good
Rice-derived phytic acid chelator; the cleanest commercial chelator. Replaces Tetrasodium / Disodium EDTA. EWG 1, biodegradable.
See more about Sodium Phytate →Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate + Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate + Disodium 2-SulfolaurateGood
Gentle modified-sulfate/sulfolaurate co-surfactant blend; significantly milder than SLS/SLES and the conventional 'lauryl' surfactants. Often confused with sulfates by name but chemically distinct (esters, not anhydrous sulfates).
See more about Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate + Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate + Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate →Cocamidopropyl BetaineGood
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; the industry-standard gentle co-surfactant.
See more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine →Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)Very Good
Provitamin B5; penetrates the hair shaft and improves softness and elasticity (Greaves 1999).
See more about Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) →GlycerinVery Good
Gold-standard humectant; plant-derived, EWG 1.
See more about Glycerin →Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGood
Plant-derived cationic conditioning polymer. EWG 1.
See more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride →Caprylyl Glycol + Caprylhydroxamic AcidGood
Coconut-derived clean preservative pair; EWG 1. Replaces phenoxyethanol.
See more about Caprylyl Glycol + Caprylhydroxamic Acid →Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateBad
Anionic surfactant; milder than SLS/SLES but harsher than glucosides. EWG 2-3, can be drying with daily use. The one weak link in an otherwise unusually clean formula.
See more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate →Fragrance (Parfum) + LimoneneBad
Undisclosed fragrance plus one itemized fragrance allergen (Limonene). Light fragrance load by industry standards.
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + Limonene →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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