Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hydrating Leave-In Cream for Curly Hair Versus L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Moisturizing Leave-In Cream
Updated on April 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe leave-in treatments. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances
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
Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hydrating Leave-In Cream for Curly Hair 18 ingredients
L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Moisturizing Leave-In Cream 29 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
Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hydrating Leave-In Cream for Curly Hair 18 ingredients
L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Moisturizing Leave-In Cream 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Mel Extract
Moisturising2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Tartaric Acid, Mel Extract, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Triethoxysilane
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-37
Amodimethicone
Polyquaternium-6
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trideceth-5
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingVp/Va Copolymer
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Acetic Acid
BufferingHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyquaternium-37, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-6, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-5, Steareth-20, Vp/Va Copolymer, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Trideceth-10, Sorbitan Oleate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Acetic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Guar yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumWater. 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
Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hydrating Leave-In Cream for Curly Hair 18 ingredients
L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Moisturizing Leave-In Cream 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hydrating Leave-In Cream for Curly Hair 18 ingredients
L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Moisturizing Leave-In Cream 29 ingredients
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