Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Color Cream Kit Versus Generic Value Products Conditioning Shampoo Compare To Clairol Shimmer Lights
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethanolamine
Buffering2-Methoxymethyl-P-Phenylenediamine
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Resorcinol
Antioxidant
2-Methylresorcinol
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingSteareth-200
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingM-Aminophenol
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl-3,4-Methylenedioxyaniline Hcl
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingSodium Stannate
StabilisingEtidronic Acid
Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy Amodimethicone
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
EDTA
Histidine
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Magnesium Nitrate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Ethanolamine, 2-Methoxymethyl-P-Phenylenediamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Resorcinol, 2-Methylresorcinol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Sulfite, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Steareth-200, Xanthan Gum, M-Aminophenol, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Disodium EDTA, 4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl-3,4-Methylenedioxyaniline Hcl, Paraffinum Liquidum, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Salicylic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Stannate, Etidronic Acid, Bis-Hydroxy/Methoxy Amodimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, EDTA, Histidine, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Magnesium Nitrate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ricinoleamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Oleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride
CI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Cocamide Mipa, Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, Ricinoleamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Parfum, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Oleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride, CI 60725, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium Phosphate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster and mild chelating agent. It basically holds a specific pH and binds stray metal ions so your product stays stable.
This ingredient is usually used at very low levels and concentrations range from 0.000054% - 2.9%. The CIR Expert Panel states this ingredient to be non-irritating at current use levels.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
