Dr.ForHair Phyto Fresh Shampoo Versus Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo - USA
Updated on January 24, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr.ForHair Phyto Fresh Shampoo 52 ingredients
Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr.ForHair Phyto Fresh Shampoo 52 ingredients
Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingMenthol
Masking
C12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingLotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Bambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Cranberry Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPhlox Drummondii Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pueraria Montana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Flower Extract
Perfuming
Algin
Masking
Water, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Parfum, Alcohol Denat., PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Menthol, C12-13 Pareth-9, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Citric Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Lotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Pearl Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Trehalose, Piroctone Olamine, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Cranberry Fruit/Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phlox Drummondii Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Potassium Sorbate, Pueraria Montana Root Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract, Algin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Tea-Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPolyquaternium-11
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Fumaric Acid
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tea-Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycol Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Polyquaternium-11, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Pyridoxine Hcl, Menthoxypropanediol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Fumaric Acid, Parfum
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 AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr.ForHair Phyto Fresh Shampoo 52 ingredients
Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
