Hairstory Hair Balm Versus Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème
Updated on March 13, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
Hairstory Hair Balm 58 ingredients
Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème 51 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Hairstory Hair Balm 58 ingredients
Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème 51 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oleyl Erucate
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHeptyl Undecylenate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Urtica Dioica Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Heliotropine
Masking
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Oil
Perfuming
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Vegetable Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Oleyl Erucate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Oleate, Calcium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Geranyl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Heliotropine, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Eugenol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Amodimethicone
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Parfum
Masking
Isododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
CleansingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Sargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgin
Masking
Carrageenan
Chitosan
Apigenin
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Oleth-20
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-59
UV AbsorberSorbitol
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Oleth-10, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Polyacrylamide, Parfum, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Panthenol, Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Glycerin, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Algin, Carrageenan, Chitosan, Apigenin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Oleth-20, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyquaternium-59, Sorbitol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrolyzed Soy Protein is a vegan protein made to mimic hydrolyzed collagen. It is created from soy, or glycine soja.
This ingredient is a humectant, meaning it helps hydrate the skin by binding to water. According to a manufacturer, it is also a great hair conditioner.
Read more about hydrolyzed collagen here.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol yet.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
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