TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner
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.
At a glance
Key ingredients 14
Behentrimonium ChlorideVery 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.
See more about Behentrimonium Chloride →Cetrimonium ChlorideVery Bad
Petroleum-derived dirty quat cationic conditioner. EWG 4-5. Frequently stacked with Behentrimonium Chloride in conventional formulas.
See more about Cetrimonium Chloride →DimethiconeVery Bad
Silicone polymer; occlusive coating that builds up on the hair shaft and requires sulfate shampoos to remove. Environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.
See more about Dimethicone →AmodimethiconeVery 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.
See more about Amodimethicone →Disodium EDTABad
Chelator; same penetration-enhancement and environmental-persistence concerns as Tetrasodium EDTA.
See more about Disodium EDTA →PEG-7 Propylheptyl EtherBad
Polyethylene glycol ether; carries 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation. Penetration enhancer.
See more about PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether →Fragrance (Parfum) + 5 disclosed allergensVery 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 →Cetearyl AlcoholGood
Long-chain fatty alcohol -- NOT a drying alcohol like ethanol. Plant-derived emulsifier and conditioning agent. EWG 1.
See more about Cetearyl Alcohol →Stearamidopropyl DimethylamineGood
Plant-derived cationic conditioning agent; significantly cleaner than the petroleum-derived Behentrimonium / Cetrimonium Chloride dirty quats. EWG 1-3.
See more about Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine →Hydrolyzed KeratinVery 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 →Ceramide NGGood
Skin barrier ceramide; supports stratum-corneum lipid structure.
See more about Ceramide NG →Arginine + Lysine HClGood
Amino acids; buffering and minor moisture-binding activity.
See more about Arginine + Lysine HCl →Lactic AcidGood
Alpha-hydroxy acid; pH adjustment + mild exfoliation. EWG 1-3.
See more about Lactic Acid →Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed OilVery 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 →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
Scan any product to see lab results, healthy alternatives, and your personalized analysis.
Download on theApp Store