Versus

Ouai Wave Spray Versus Ouai Matte Pomade

Styling Creams & Spray
Gel, Pomade & Wax
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on July 26, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for oily skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain 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

Ouai Wave Spray 77 ingredients

Ouai Matte Pomade 18 ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Ouai Wave Spray 77 ingredients

Ouai Matte Pomade 18 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Wave Spray

Water

Skin Conditioning

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Emulsifying

Isobutylene/Ethylmaleimide/Hydroxyethylmaleimide Copolymer

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Alcohol Denat.

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

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Cocos Nucifera Water

Masking

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Nasturtium Officinale Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Masking

Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Extract

Absorbent
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Cystoseira Compressa Extract

Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pisum Sativum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Seed Protein

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein

Skin Conditioning

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aspartic Acid

Masking

PCA

Humectant

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Alanine

Masking

Serine

Masking

Valine

Masking

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Threonine

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Phenylalanine

Masking

Histidine

Humectant

Zea Mays Starch

Absorbent

Tocopherol

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

Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Emulsion Stabilising

Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polysilicone-15

UV Filter

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Disodium Phosphate

Buffering

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

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative 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

Dehydroacetic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Disodium EDTA

Aminomethyl Propanol

Buffering

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Calcium Gluconate

Humectant

Phytic Acid

AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phenethyl Alcohol

Masking

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Geraniol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Hydroxycitronellal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citronellol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

CI 42090

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 17200

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 2

CI 19140

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 15985

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Isobutylene/Ethylmaleimide/Hydroxyethylmaleimide Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Cocos Nucifera Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Cystoseira Compressa Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Zea Mays Starch, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Polysilicone-15, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Aminomethyl Propanol, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Phytic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, CI 42090, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.

The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.

However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.

Learn more about BHT
Perfuming

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool
Perfuming, Tonic

Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.

Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.

Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.

Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.

Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.

Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.

2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-

Learn more about Geraniol
Perfuming

Hydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".

Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.

Perfuming

Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".

Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.

Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.

Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,

Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.

Learn more about Citronellol

Ingredient Ratings

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

When to use

Ouai Wave Spray 77 ingredients

Ouai Matte Pomade 18 ingredients

14 Routines
79% use in am
21% use in pm
71% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Ouai Wave Spray 77 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 3 ratings
awhite998's avatar

Adrianna

11 months ago
Review

I rarely reach for it. it's kinda like hair spray but it always leave my hair feeling sticks and awful after. The applicator also makes it so you can't spray precisely where you want. It's also a plastic bottle which is kind of a disappointment given the price.

Ouai Matte Pomade 18 ingredients

Matte Pomade hasn't been rated yet.
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