Ouai Medium Hair Shampoo Versus Divi Shampoo
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycerin
HumectantCitrus Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Glycinate
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamide Mipa, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Citrus Japonica Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Polyquaternium-7, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopherol, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingBetaine
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-73
Glycol Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLauryl Lactyl Lactate
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingPolyquaternium-6
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Arginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlycine
BufferingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingCereus Grandiflorus Extract
AntioxidantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
TonicMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-73, Glycol Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lauryl Lactyl Lactate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Menthol, Polyquaternium-6, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Polyquaternium-7, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycerin, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Biotin, Glycine, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Cereus Grandiflorus Extract, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Octyldodecanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water