Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner versus Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner .

Last updated on December 14, 2023. Published on March 19, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe conditioners. They have a total of 28 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, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils and silicones

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

Conditioner American Brand United States
Conditioner American Brand United States

Conditioner

Moisturizing agents for hair.

Conditioner

Moisturizing agents for hair.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner 41 ingredients

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner 32 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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner 41 ingredients

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner 32 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (4)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner 41 ingredients

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner 32 ingredients

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl 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 Alcohol

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Liked

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%.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 3.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.

Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.

As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Keratin

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 9.

5
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.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 9.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 11.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emulsifying, Preservative
Community Rating: Liked

This 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.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 12.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 5.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 15.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 7.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 16.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 13.

Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 22.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 16.

11
What it does: Emulsifying

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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 23.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 17.

12
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for C11-15 Pareth-7.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 24.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 18.

13
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.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 25.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 19.

14
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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 26.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 23.

15
What it does: Buffering, Masking

We don't have a description for Sodium Acetate.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 27.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 20.

16
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 28.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 22.

17
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isopropyl 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 Alcohol

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 29.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 25.

18
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 30.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 26.

19
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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 31.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 21.

20
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.

As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 32.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 14.

21
What it does: Cleansing
Community Rating: Mixed

Lauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.

Lauryl Glucoside makes it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other polluants away.

A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Lauryl Glucoside

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 33.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 15.

22
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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 34.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 24.

23
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol. It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating.

Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.

Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.

Learn more about Sorbitan Oleate

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 35.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 27.

24
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 36.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 28.

25
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.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 38.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 29.

26
What it does: Perfuming, UV Absorber
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Benzyl 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 Salicylate

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 39.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 30.

27
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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 40.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 31.

28
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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 41.

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 32.

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

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner 41 ingredients

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner 32 ingredients

22% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner 41 ingredients

Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner 32 ingredients

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...