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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner versus Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner .

Published on June 27, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe conditioners. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Price

Shop

Buy Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner

Starts at $4.99
Shop

Buy Smooth Finish Conditioner

Starts at $22.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

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

Benefits

Reduces Irritation

Concerns

Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

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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: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Cetyl Alcohol is not related to SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.

Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Stearyl Alcohol

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
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

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 10.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 13.

6
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.

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 13.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 14.

7
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

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 15.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

28% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
61% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
19% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
75% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 48 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner.

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