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TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner

Common questions

Is TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner healthy?

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner scores 15/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner scores 15/100 -- a conventional drugstore conditioner stacking two petroleum-derived 'dirty quat' cationic conditioners (Behentrimonium Chloride + Cetrimonium Chloride, both EWG 4-5) with two silicones (Dimethicone + Amodimethicone), Disodium EDTA, PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether, undisclosed fragrance plus 5 itemized fragrance allergens (Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool).

How does TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner compare to other hair care?

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner ranks #44 of 47 hair care in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is BASED Shampoo at 97/100.

Which ingredients drive TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ceramide NG count in its favor; Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner

TRESemmé
15 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 5
Harmful ingredients 7
Owned by Unilever
Category Hair Care
Summary

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner scores 15/100 -- a conventional drugstore conditioner stacking two petroleum-derived 'dirty quat' cationic conditioners (Behentrimonium Chloride + Cetrimonium Chloride, both EWG 4-5) with two silicones (Dimethicone + Amodimethicone), Disodium EDTA, PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether, undisclosed fragrance plus 5 itemized fragrance allergens (Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool). Functionally identical harm profile to L'Oreal Elvive Conditioner (14/100) -- paired dirty quats + paired silicones + heavy fragrance allergens. Lands one point higher because the Hydrolyzed Keratin + Ceramide NG + Arginine + Lysine HCl + Lactic Acid + Marula Seed Oil active stack is real (vs. the bottom-of-INCI performative Sodium Hyaluronate in Elvive). No phenoxyethanol and no MCI/MIT in the US Weightless version. Owned by Unilever.

Key ingredients 14

Behentrimonium Chloride
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived 'dirty quat' cationic conditioner. EWG 4-5. The compound that clean-beauty brands deliberately replace with guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride or behenamidopropyl dimethylamine.

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Fragrance (Parfum) + 5 disclosed allergens
Very Bad

Undisclosed fragrance plus 5 itemized allergens (Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool). EU disclosure threshold is 0.01% in rinse-off -- five allergens disclosed means the fragrance is unusually allergen-heavy.

See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + 5 disclosed allergens →
Cetrimonium Chloride
Bad

Petroleum-derived dirty quat cationic conditioner. EWG 4-5. Frequently stacked with Behentrimonium Chloride in conventional formulas.

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Dimethicone
Bad

Silicone polymer; occlusive coating that builds up on the hair shaft and requires sulfate shampoos to remove. Environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.

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Amodimethicone
Bad

Modified silicone with the same buildup/persistence issues as dimethicone, plus a cationic charge that makes it bind more tenaciously to the hair shaft.

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Disodium EDTA
Bad

Chelator; same penetration-enhancement and environmental-persistence concerns as Tetrasodium EDTA.

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PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether
Bad

Polyethylene glycol ether; carries 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation. Penetration enhancer.

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Cetearyl Alcohol
Neutral

Fatty-alcohol emulsifier — not a drying 'alcohol'; inert in formulations.

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Lactic Acid
Neutral

Fermentation acid used for pH and preservation — benign.

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Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Good

Plant-derived cationic conditioning agent; significantly cleaner than the petroleum-derived Behentrimonium / Cetrimonium Chloride dirty quats. EWG 1-3.

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Ceramide NG
Good

Skin barrier ceramide; supports stratum-corneum lipid structure.

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Arginine + Lysine HCl
Good

Amino acids; buffering and minor moisture-binding activity.

See more about Arginine + Lysine HCl →
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Very Good

Enzymatically broken-down keratin protein fragments small enough to penetrate the hair cortex and bind to damaged sites. Genuine repair activity (Wickett 1991).

See more about Hydrolyzed Keratin →
Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil
Very Good

High-oleic plant oil from the marula tree; emollient and oxidation-resistant. Comparable to argan for hair-shaft conditioning.

See more about Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil →

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