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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment versus Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother .

Last updated on October 25, 2023. Published on September 14, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, oils and silicones

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

Leave-in Treatment British Brand United Kingdom
Styling Creams & Spray American Brand United States

Leave-in Treatment

Leave In Treatments

Styling Creams & Spray

Cream and spray products that help style hair. Some spray products include blowout sprays and sea-salt sprays.

Price

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

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emulsifying, Preservative
Community Rating: Liked

This 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.

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 13.

3
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

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 8.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 41.

4
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 12.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 36.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 17.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 33.

6
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

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 18.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 42.

7
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.

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment contains this as ingredient number 23.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother contains this as ingredient number 14.

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

28% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
32% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
20% 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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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment 25 ingredients

PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother 46 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Soft (1) Straight Hair (1)
BubbIes's avatar

BubbIes

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I felt meh about how this made my hair look, until I looked into the ingredients and now I'm throwing this out. If you're not at all acne prone,...

I felt meh about how this made my hair look, until I looked into the ingredients and now I'm throwing this out. If you're not at all acne prone, this MIGHT be okay.

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