L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Repair Leave In Mask Versus Wella Ultimate Repair Protective Leave In
Updated on April 18, 2025
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and silicones
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
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Repair Leave In Mask 26 ingredients
Wella Ultimate Repair Protective Leave In 35 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
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Repair Leave In Mask 26 ingredients
Wella Ultimate Repair Protective Leave In 35 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-4
Potato Starch Modified
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Arginine
Masking
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Coumarin
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Polyquaternium-4, Potato Starch Modified, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Behentrimonium Chloride, Arginine, Trideceth-6, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Glycine, Serine, Tyrosine, Citric Acid, Glutamic Acid, Coumarin, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Steareth-21
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Malic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-23m
Emulsion StabilisingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Citronellol
Perfuming
Histidine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Citric Acid
Buffering
Geraniol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Water, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Stearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Steareth-21, Panthenol, Malic Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-23m, Steareth-2, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Oleic Acid, Squalane, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Citronellol, Histidine, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Citric Acid, Geraniol, BHT, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
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 AlcoholCitric 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeLinalool 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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