Shea Moisture Aloe Butter Scalp Moisture Pre-Wash Masque Versus Pacifica Scalp Smoothie
Updated on April 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Shea Moisture Aloe Butter Scalp Moisture Pre-Wash Masque 28 ingredients
Pacifica Scalp Smoothie 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Shea Moisture Aloe Butter Scalp Moisture Pre-Wash Masque 28 ingredients
Pacifica Scalp Smoothie 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Stellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-10
Propanediol
SolventMenthol
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Triolein, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Stellaria Media Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydroxystearic Acid, Gluconolactone, Polyquaternium-10, Propanediol, Menthol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Spirulina Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetrimonium Chloride, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Spirulina Amino Acids, Mentha Piperita Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil, Parfum
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 WaterCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholStearyl 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 AlcoholWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
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 ParfumAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceCitric 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 AcidCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
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 Cocos Nucifera OilIngredient Ratings
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