Versus

MONAT Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo Versus Not Your Mother’s Aquatic Mint & Coastal Sea Holly Shampoo

Shampoo
Shampoo
American Brand
American Brand

Updated on January 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Lauramidopropyl Betaine

Cleansing

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Isoamyl Laurate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Adansonia Digitata Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil

Cleansing
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Caprylic Acid

Cleansing
1 / 3

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Triisodecyl Trimellitate

Emollient

Behentrimonium Chloride

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Glyceryl Undecylenate

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hypnea Musciformis Extract

Skin Protecting

Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Lignosulfonate

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Absorbent
0 / 0

Polyquaternium-37

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Masking
4 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Picea Mariana Bark Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethyl Linoleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethyl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Brassica Napus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Cleansing

Glyceryl Rosinate

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Garcinia Indica Seed Butter

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil Icon

Meadowfoamamidopropyl Betaine

Humectant

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Phytate

Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Skin Conditioning

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Sodium Isethionate

Cleansing

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Glycol Distearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride

Skin Conditioning

PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polyquaternium-7

Polyquaternium-10

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Coconut Acid

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Acrylates Copolymer

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Levulinate

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroxycitronellal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Isoamyl Laurate, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Triisodecyl Trimellitate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Sodium Lignosulfonate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polyquaternium-37, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycolic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Picea Mariana Bark Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Trehalose, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Brassica Napus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Rosinate, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Meadowfoamamidopropyl Betaine, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycol Distearate, Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent

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 Alcohol
Masking, Buffering

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 Acid
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.

It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

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
Masking, Perfuming

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 Parfum

Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is used to improve texture and stability of a product. It is sugar based and helps thicken a product.

Once applied, it also creates a thin film to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

This ingredient is the polyethylene glycol ether of the diester of oleic acid and methylglucose. The 120 represents an average of 120 moles of ethylene oxide.

There is limited research on this ingredient, although it is considered safe to use in skincare products.

Learn more about PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate

Polyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.

This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.

For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.

Learn more about Polyquaternium-10
Emulsifying

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.

The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.

This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.

Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water