Verb Ghost Shampoo Versus Verb Curl Shampoo
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Sarcosinate
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
SurfactantParfum
MaskingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingSilicone Quaternium-8
Polyquaternium-7
Laureth-3
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyquaternium-44
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
AntimicrobialSodium Laurate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Sarcosinate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Parfum, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glyceryl Oleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Laureth-4, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Silicone Quaternium-8, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-3, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyquaternium-44, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogen Peroxide, Benzoic Acid, Anhydroxylitol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Mannitol
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Allyl Ether
Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSilicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Polyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Quaternium-80
Amodimethicone
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingUndeceth-11
EmollientUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingFumaric Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Acetate
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Lauryl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Mannitol, Pvp, Panthenol, PEG-150 Distearate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Quaternium-80, Amodimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Undeceth-11, Undeceth-5, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Citrate, Fumaric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acetate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract comes from sunflower seeds.
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E. Studies show sunflowers contain antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed ExtractHydroxycitronellal 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.
Limonene 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 LimonenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Polyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium 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.
It 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 BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water