Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner Versus Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner
Updated on January 25, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe conditioners. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin and oily skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils, silicones and sulfates
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
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner 36 ingredients
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner 36 ingredients
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
BHT
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingOlealkonium Chloride
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-2m
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Tridecane
Perfuming
Undecane
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, BHT, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Olealkonium Chloride, Oleyl Alcohol, PEG-2m, Sodium Phosphate, Polyquaternium-47, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Tridecane, Undecane, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Magnesium Nitrate
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingMethylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Isododecane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Glycolate, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene, CI 42090, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetearyl 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 AlcoholThis tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
According to the book Journal of Profiles of Drug Substances, tea tree helps in reducing acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. This is due to the Terpinen components of tea tree oil.
Tea tree may cause sensitivity and irritation for some people. This oil naturally contains fragrance such as linalool and limonene.
However, research shows irritation usually occurs when using pure tea tree oil and not in cosmetic products.
Tea tree oil was found to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in one study.
Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested. Another study showed it to caused damage to the nervous system of dogs and cats when applied to their skin or given orally.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilBehentrimonium Methosulfate is an ammonium salt. It is mainly used to prevent static in haircare products as a surfactant.
Surfactants have differing ends: one side is hydrophilic while the other end is hydrophobic.
Surfactants also help your cleansers remove pollutants more easily from the skin.
Learn more about Behentrimonium MethosulfateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWe don't have a description for Magnesium Chloride yet.
We don't have a description for Magnesium Nitrate yet.
MCI is a preservative and known skin-irritant. It has anti-bacteria anti-fungal properties.
Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient to cause skin irritation and allergies.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI). Other names for this mixture include Kathon CG and Euxyl K 100.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Trade names for this combination include Kathon CG or Euxyl K 100.
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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 ParfumLimonene 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 LimoneneIngredient Ratings
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