Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Bonding Conditioner Versus Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Intense Bonding Treatment
Updated on March 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry 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
Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Bonding Conditioner 26 ingredients
Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Intense Bonding Treatment 21 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
Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Bonding Conditioner 26 ingredients
Not Your Mother’s Tough Love Intense Bonding Treatment 21 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Stearalkonium Chloride
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Itaconic Acid
AntimicrobialArginine
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Bis-PCA Dimethicone
Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Itaconic Acid, Arginine, Panthenol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PCA Dimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAcrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientCoceth-7
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ceteareth-20, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Isohexadecane, Coceth-7, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Bis-PCA Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl 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 AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
We don't have a description for Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate yet.
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.
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 CinnamalIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
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 Isopropyl AlcoholParfum 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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