Phenoxyethanol free conditioners?

[apollosdrawer]

I've found that the ingredient phenoxyethanol is irritating to my skin, but it's seemingly everywhere in sulfate free products! My hair seems to really like sulfate free products, so I'm definitely torn up about this. :/ Normally if a product isn't cleaning my scalp well enough, I know by itching on the scalp, I don't really get bumps or anything. I suspect it may be the phenoxyethanol because it is more of a redness that creeps down my forehead and back of my neck, and more of a tingling/general irritation than straight up itching. It's not unbearable, but I'm not going to continue using something that obviously irritates my skin...

Any suggestions or anyone else who has experienced something similar? What did you do?

[Kalamazoo]

For conditioner? I do a 2-step process. First moisten the hair, then coat lightly with oil.

Moistening the hair. Just dampen it, either with a little water or with a tea brewed from herbs that I've heard are good for hair. (It's handy to keep said liquids in $1 spray bottles from Walmart or wherever.)

Oil. Use any oil you like. The idea is to form a protective barrier over the water, to seal in the moisture.

ETA: Hmmmmmm.... but it sounds like you're trying to use the conditioner in place of shampoo? Maybe you'd like Earthly Delight. https://lafes.com/products/earthly-delight-hair-conditioner

I use their shampoo more than their conditioner though: https://lafes.com/products/earthly-delight-tropical-rain-shampoo?_pos=1&_sid=795872515&_ss=r

Anyway, neither contains sulfates nor phenoxyethanol.

[Panthera]

Is there any methylchloroisothiazolinone or methylisothiazolinone in your conditioner? They are quite common preservatives and can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Or any drying alcohols like isopropyl alcohol or alcohol denat? I went through my stash a bit, Tresemme botanique nourish & replenish conditioner doesn't have silicones, sulfates or phenoxyethanol but theres that methyl stuff in it. I really like it, I don't know if it would work as a co wash but it's a great rinse-out

[lapushka]

I've found that the ingredient phenoxyethanol is irritating to my skin, but it's seemingly everywhere in sulfate free products! My hair seems to really like sulfate free products, so I'm definitely torn up about this. :/ Normally if a product isn't cleaning my scalp well enough, I know by itching on the scalp, I don't really get bumps or anything. I suspect it may be the phenoxyethanol because it is more of a redness that creeps down my forehead and back of my neck, and more of a tingling/general irritation than straight up itching. It's not unbearable, but I'm not going to continue using something that obviously irritates my skin...

Any suggestions or anyone else who has experienced something similar? What did you do?

Is something holding you back from using sulfates (from what I read about your OP they don't contain this?) - I don't know this ingredient, but that's why I'm asking.

If going back to sulfates solves a lot of this, then it is an easy enough solution, IMO. But that's me, and I have nothing against sulfates (on the contrary, just to give you an idea of where I'm coming from).

Sucks though! :flower:

[apollosdrawer]

Is there any methylchloroisothiazolinone or methylisothiazolinone in your conditioner? They are quite common preservatives and can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Or any drying alcohols like isopropyl alcohol or alcohol denat? I went through my stash a bit, Tresemme botanique nourish & replenish conditioner doesn't have silicones, sulfates or phenoxyethanol but theres that methyl stuff in it. I really like it, I don't know if it would work as a co wash but it's a great rinse-out

The conditioner I'm using actually has pretty few ingredients which attracted me to it to begin with, and I don't believe it has any of those things in it! Thank you for the recommendation though, it's much appreciated! I'm not sure yet if methyl makes any difference...my skin is actually very sensitive, and now that I am paying closer attention to my hair, I'm afraid that it is too lol...but again, thank you for the idea!

[apollosdrawer]

I tried a sulfate free conditioner because my regular one seemed to be really drying on my hair, to the point where I didn't want to wash it. Some people suggested suflate free, and I did notice a difference before it started to irritate my skin. I've also heard that if you have very soft water, your hair can turn out a bit dryer? I'm not sure where I heard that, sorry! But yeah, I'd try sulfates again in a conditioner that was gentle/hydrating enough, but I'm not sure how I'd know before trying it y'know? Thanks so much for your input!

[MusicalSpoons]

The conditioner I'm using actually has pretty few ingredients which attracted me to it to begin with, and I don't believe it has any of those things in it! Thank you for the recommendation though, it's much appreciated! I'm not sure yet if methyl makes any difference...my skin is actually very sensitive, and now that I am paying closer attention to my hair, I'm afraid that it is too lol...but again, thank you for the idea!

The methyl(chloro)izothiazolinones are extremely unlikely to affect your hair, it's usually a skin sensitivity.

Sulphates in conditioner are generally not good, whereas in shampoo they are sometimes necessary. People's main problem with them is being too stripping/drying, or being sensitive to them, but on the other hand some people need them. Not in conditioner though, only shampoo! :)

It would help to know where you are in the world so we can better attempt to give appropriate recommendations :) I'm happy to check my own conditioners but most of them are not available in the US, for instance.

[Stoneburnia]

Where do yall typically purchase your Phenoxyethanol free conditioners? I have been looking for a conditioner that does not have Phenoxyethanol and Sulphates. I have been using main and tail for the last couple of months.

[lapushka]

Oh duh, don't mind me. I thought you guys were talking about shampoo... that's so odd that I didn't pick up on that the other day. :hmm: That is so weird. I must be losing my mind. :shocked:

[MusicalSpoons]

Oh duh, don't mind me. I thought you guys were talking about shampoo... that's so odd that I didn't pick up on that the other day. :hmm: That is so weird. I must be losing my mind. :shocked:

Well OP did mention sulphate-free, which we usually associate with shampoo because, well, conditioners are supposed to be sulphate-free by default! I was a bit confused at first which is why I didn't post sooner :)

[lapushka]

Well OP did mention sulphate-free, which we usually associate with shampoo because, well, conditioners are supposed to be sulphate-free by default! I was a bit confused at first which is why I didn't post sooner :)

Smart move! ;)

[Kalamazoo]

Where do yall typically purchase your Phenoxyethanol free conditioners? I have been looking for a conditioner that does not have Phenoxyethanol and Sulphates. I have been using main and tail for the last couple of months.

I've bought Earthly Delight Conditioner online, from the manufacturer's website. Lafes is the manufacturer.
https://lafes.com/products/earthly-delight-hair-conditioner

[MusicalSpoons]

Oh-kay! I've found my Inecto Naturals conditioners don't; I believe that's available across the pond?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/u1GP16svnRa3yUaa9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LVZMSsqYqsTBdW949

Neither does Faith in Nature BB Rose conditioner (https://www.faithinnature.co.uk/products/rose-neroli-nourish-repair-conditioner/finbbcondrepair.aspx?productid=finbbcondrepair), Coconut & Frangipani (https://www.faithinnature.co.uk/products/coconut-frangipani-moisture-boost-conditioner/finbbcondmoist.aspx?productid=finbbcondmoist), etc., or their 'normal' conditioners (https://www.faithinnature.co.uk/products/lavender-geranium-conditioner-400ml/fincondlav400ml.aspx?productid=fincondlav400ml) (not available in the US though, I believe). At least it's a heads-up for Europeans if anyone needs to avoid phenoxyethanol :D

Oooh also the Garnier Hair Foods! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garnier-Ultimate-Blends-Damaged-Treatment/dp/B07L64MKRZ

Love Beauty and Planet https://www.lovebeautyandplanet.com/uk/hair/allhairproducts/conditioner/muru-muru-butter-&-rose-conditioner.html

[apollosdrawer]

I guess I haven't noticed that most conditioners are sulfate free lol! I do have sulfate free shampoo anyway...I'm also located in the US for those who asked. I've been looking at ingredient lists for days and it's very tedious, phenoxyethanol is a pretty common ingredient. I don't really want anything fancy there's just way too many products to choose from out there! I also hate how I see something with ingredients that I like, but it only comes in an 8 ounce bottle. That is so not enough for me...I also like the idea of going more natural but all this is still a bit new to me so I'm trying to start simple with a good conditioner.

[WonderGirl]

they have to use some kind of anti bacterial agent or things would get moldy and old but I wish there was something without chemicals myself but when I try and I've tried too many I find it makes my hair look dirty and smells weird so I stick to drugstore brands. There are worse chemicals in shampoos and conditioners besides that one. Many natural brands were bought out by L'oreal and other large companies that change the original formulas and are not good anymore. It might be another chemical making you sensitive too. Some of those ingredients in hair care is scary.

[Kalamazoo]

At https://lafes.com/products/earthly-delight-tropical-rain-shampoo?_pos=5&_sid=8e5f63bc5&_ss=r are the ingredients for Earthly Delight Tropical Rain Shampoo:

Aqua (Water), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Glycerine, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Soap, Citrus aurantium (Neroli) Essential Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Essential Oil, Panthenol, Argania Spinosa Kernal (Argan) Oil

And at https://lafes.com/products/earthly-delight-hair-conditioner?_pos=4&_sid=7d4b5ea00&_ss=r there are the ingredients for their Earthly Delight Conditioner, which is currently sold out (while they make some more)

Aqua (Water), Glycerine, Emulsifying Wax, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Persea americana (Avocado) Oil, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Germ Protein, Citrus aurantium (Neroli) Essential Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Essential Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Essential Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernal (Argan) Oil

I'm also quite fond of Earthly Delight Pomade https://lafes.com/products/earthly-delight-hair-pomade?_pos=3&_sid=7d4b5ea00&_ss=r the ingredients of which are:

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Olea Europaea (Virgin Olive) Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Essential Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Essential Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Essential Oil, Urtica dioica (Nettles) Leaf, Argania Spinosa Kernal (Argan) Oil

Really, it's good stuff...

[lapushka]

they have to use some kind of anti bacterial agent or things would get moldy and old but I wish there was something without chemicals myself but when I try and I've tried too many I find it makes my hair look dirty and smells weird so I stick to drugstore brands. There are worse chemicals in shampoos and conditioners besides that one. Many natural brands were bought out by L'oreal and other large companies that change the original formulas and are not good anymore. It might be another chemical making you sensitive too. Some of those ingredients in hair care is scary.

There is nothing really to be scared of, honestly. :flower: Except when you are allergic to something. Then you need to pay really close attention.