Ouai Super Dry Shampoo Versus CHI Haircare Dry Shampoo
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe dry shampoos. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily 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 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
Ouai Super Dry Shampoo 23 ingredients
CHI Haircare Dry Shampoo 18 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
Ouai Super Dry Shampoo 23 ingredients
CHI Haircare Dry Shampoo 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isobutane
Propane
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Butylated Pvp
Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Extract
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Acrylates Copolymer
Magnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentZeolite
AbsorbentStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingParfum
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Isobutane, Propane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Water, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sea Salt, Butylated Pvp, Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Carbonate, Zeolite, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Magnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-19
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Alcohol Denat., Oryza Sativa Starch, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Carbonate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Polysilicone-19, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
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 CopolymerAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateButylphenyl Methylpropional is a synthetic fragrance. You might know it as "lilial". The scent of this ingredient is floral-like and similar to the scent of lily flowers.
In March of 2022, the EU banned this ingredient in both rinse-off and leave-on products. This is because research found Butylphenyl Methylpropional to disrupt fertility in rats.
This ingredient is also a known EU allergen, meaning it is likely to cause an allergic reaction. Irritated skin can be damaging.
We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns or questions about this ingredient.
Learn more about Butylphenyl MethylpropionalThis 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 Magnesium Carbonate yet.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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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