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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo versus L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair .

Last updated on September 18, 2023. Published on November 06, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 28 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances, silicones and sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Shampoo French Brand France
Shampoo American Brand United States

Shampoo

Detergent or soap for cleansing the hair.

Shampoo

Detergent or soap for cleansing the hair.

Price

Shop

Buy Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo

Starts at $8.49
Shop

Buy Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair

Starts at $40.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (4)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (5)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 1.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.

SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Laureth Sulfate

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 2.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances 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 Chloride

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 3.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Cleansing
Community Rating: Disliked

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Dimethylaminopropylamine is a diamine, an amine with two amino groups.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.

Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.

While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.

Learn more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 4.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 5.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, 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.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term '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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 6.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 35.

7
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.

It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.

Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.

Learn more about CI 77891

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 7.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 25.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

This ingredient is derived from guar gum.

It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 8.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 12.

9
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.

Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.

Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.

Learn more about Mica

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 9.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 18.

10
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.

Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 10.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 23.

11
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium 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.

Sodium Benzoate 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 Benzoate

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 11.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 8.

12
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 12.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 9.

13
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 13.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 21.

14
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Steareth-6.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 14.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 22.

15
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Acetic Acid is created during the process of fermenting ethanol. It is used to help adjust the pH of cosmetics.

The pH of your skin is important to maintaining a healthy barrier. This barrier keeps your skin hydrated and protects your skin from external factors such as bacteria.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 15.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 28.

16
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. It helps prevent oil and water from separating in a product. By binding oil and water, it helps remove dirt and oil to be rinsed away.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 16.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 19.

17
What it does: Cleansing

We don't have a description for Trideceth-10.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 18.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 13.

18
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Trideceth-3.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 19.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 24.

19
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 20.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 15.

20
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term '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.

Learn more about Limonene

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 21.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 26.

21
What it does: Buffering

We don't have a description for Fumaric Acid.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 22.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 29.

22
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 23.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 17.

23
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Amodimethicone is a type of silicone.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 25.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 10.

24
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 28.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 11.

25
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 30.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 6.

26
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.

As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.

Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.

Learn more about Hexylene Glycol

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 32.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 7.

27
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.

This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.

Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.

Learn more about Hexyl Cinnamal

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 33.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 20.

28
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.

It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.

It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.

Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Glycol Distearate

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 34.

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair contains this as ingredient number 16.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

12% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
65% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet
11% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
63% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair.

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