Olaplex Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Summary
Olaplex Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo scores 40/100 -- the famous patented bond-repair active is genuine, but the supporting formula is one of the heaviest synthetic chassis in the salon-prestige tier. The Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate patented active does what Olaplex claims: it reconnects broken disulfide bonds in keratin. The 5-co-surfactant blend (Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate + Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine + Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate + Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate + Decyl Glucoside) is unusually gentle for the category, and the plant payload is rich (sunflower, apricot, fermented green tea, fermented argan, acai, pomegranate, rosemary, banana, oregano, noni, burdock). But the formula also stacks: TWO silicones (Amodimethicone + Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer), TWO microplastics (Acrylates Copolymer + Sodium Polyacrylate -- both ECHA-classified primary microplastics), FIVE PEG-class ingredients (PEG-120, PEG-8, PEG-8/SMDI Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, plus C11-15 Pareth-7 + Laureth-9 + Trideceth-12 + C12-13 Pareth-23 + C12-13 Pareth-3 ethoxylates), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (N-nitrosamine risk when stacked with amines), Tetrasodium + Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol + Chlorphenesin, plus undisclosed Fragrance with three disclosed allergens (Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene). The plant payload and patented active cannot offset the synthetic load. Owned by Olaplex Holdings.
At a glance
Key ingredients 13
Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (Olaplex Active)Very Good
Patented Olaplex active; documented evidence for reconnecting broken disulfide bonds in keratin. The reason Olaplex No. 4 has its cult following.
See more about Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (Olaplex Active) →Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate + Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine + Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate + Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate + Decyl GlucosideVery Good
Five-co-surfactant gentle blend; all EWG 1-3. Among the gentlest commercial cleansing systems available.
See more about Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate + Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine + Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate + Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate + Decyl Glucoside →Plant Oil Stack (Sunflower / Apricot Kernel / Fermented Camellia / Fermented Argania)Very Good
Four cosmetic oils including two ferment-derived. Cuticle-conditioning, oxidation-stable.
See more about Plant Oil Stack (Sunflower / Apricot Kernel / Fermented Camellia / Fermented Argania) →Plant Extract Stack (Acai / Pomegranate / Rosemary / Banana / Oregano / Noni / Burdock)Good
Seven plant extracts; antioxidant and scalp-conditioning. Performance is dose-dependent but the diversity is unusual.
See more about Plant Extract Stack (Acai / Pomegranate / Rosemary / Banana / Oregano / Noni / Burdock) →Sodium Hyaluronate + Biotin + PanthenolGood
Humectant + vitamin trio; supports cuticle hydration and conditioning.
See more about Sodium Hyaluronate + Biotin + Panthenol →Amodimethicone + Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone CopolymerVery Bad
Two silicones stacked; build up on hair shaft, environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursors.
See more about Amodimethicone + Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer →Acrylates Copolymer + Sodium PolyacrylateVery Bad
Two synthetic film-forming polymers; ECHA-classified primary microplastics. Restricted in EU rinse-off cosmetics under the 2023 microplastic regulation phase-in.
See more about Acrylates Copolymer + Sodium Polyacrylate →PEG-class ingredients (PEG-120, PEG-8, PEG-8/SMDI, Methyl Gluceth-20)Bad
Four PEG-class ingredients; carry 1,4-dioxane (IARC 2B probable human carcinogen) contamination risk from the ethoxylation manufacturing step.
See more about PEG-class ingredients (PEG-120, PEG-8, PEG-8/SMDI, Methyl Gluceth-20) →Pareth/Laureth/Trideceth ethoxylates (C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, C12-13 Pareth-23 + Pareth-3)Bad
Five ethoxylated alcohol surfactants/emulsifiers; same 1,4-dioxane contamination risk class as PEGs.
See more about Pareth/Laureth/Trideceth ethoxylates (C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, C12-13 Pareth-23 + Pareth-3) →Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateBad
Sarcosine-derived surfactant; N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with the secondary amines in this formula (Cocamidopropylamine Oxide). EWG 3-4.
See more about Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate →Tetrasodium EDTA + Disodium EDTABad
Two EDTA chelators stacked; mild penetration enhancers and environmentally persistent.
See more about Tetrasodium EDTA + Disodium EDTA →Phenoxyethanol + ChlorphenesinBad
Synthetic preservative pair. Phenoxyethanol is EWG 4 and EU-restricted in baby products; Chlorphenesin can be dermally sensitizing.
See more about Phenoxyethanol + Chlorphenesin →Fragrance (Parfum) + 3 disclosed allergensVery Bad
Undisclosed fragrance plus 3 itemized allergens (Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene).
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + 3 disclosed allergens →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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