Pro Vs OTC
I have been thinking about this for quite some time now…
How do we know the truth when all day, everyday we are faced with so much advertisement. Telling us how we should look and what we should use. Can I tell you the beauty industry is full of so much FALSE advertisements, especially the CONSUMER BASED (OTC) product lines. Use this and you will be skinny, use that and all your problems will be solved! I have even seen in a magazine (that you typically see on an airplane) saying, “If you take this pill your grey hair will be gone!” Really?!?!
***NEWS FLASH***
Mascara advertisements use FALSE LASHES!
Box hair color brands ONLY NEED TO COLOR ONE STRAND OF HAIR!
Makeup advertisements ARE ALL PHOTOSHOPPED and is NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL!
Store brand hair products are full of FILLERS, WAXES AND DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS!
The BIGGEST question I receive as a licensed professional is…
drum roll, please!
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What store brand products can I buy?
So I decided to compare a PROFESSIONAL based product to an OTC (over the counter) based product. I found the ingredients list and then research each ingredient and what they are used for. I mostly used the Environmental Working Group’s website, WWW.EWG.ORG. This site told me what the ingredient is used for in the cosmetic industry, overall hazard and concern for cancer (and much more). I compared Alterna’s Caviar Moisture shampoo with Suave’s Deep moisture. At the very bottom of this blog, I will show you the list and what each ingredient is used for. Please pay attention to the order of each ingredient. The first listed will always be the most used and the last will be the least used.
So let the game begin!!!
Let’s start with price comparison.
The obvious winner will be SUAVE….
but you will always get what you pay for.
$32 vs $2
With the higher price point you know you will be able to get better quality ingredients. A higher percentage of those ingredients will be included in the product itself. Less fillers, waxes and a TON less build up! Many of you complain that your hair gets so greasy too quickly. Its because of all the additives store brands add to their products to make your hair feel soft. In reality, it’s not making your hair any healthier. Yes it seems like soooooo much more! But professional products are highly concentrated, that means a LITTLE goes a long way. If you feel like it does not suds as quick, NEVER add more product! Just add more water.
Think of it this way, you wear your hair everyday! So keep it healthy and looking beautiful.
PH LEVEL
PH level of hair care products are very important to you hair’s health, but also to long lasting color. Hair naturally has the PH of 4.5-5.5. So in order to keep it healthy, you want a shampoo that has the same PH level. It helps the hair to maintain it’s shine, protective barriers, and helps with tangling. Products with a higher PH level will cause the cuticle of the hair to swell, and removes all the natural oils. That is where you start to see dry, dull hair that breaks. And most importantly color that fades way to quickly! Caviar has a PH of 4.5-5.5 and Suave has the PH of 5-7.
So our winner in this category is CAVIAR!
INGREDIENTS
At first glance, Caviar has a lot more ingredients then Suave. But there were a lot more that I could understand in Caviar’s. Both started with water. The next ingredients were emulsifiers (which just combine other ingredients together.) Caviar’s was a coconut based product and Suave used a sulfate. Sulfates are known to fade color a lot quicker.
Caviar contains 48 ingredients and Suave contains 22 ingredients.
Out of the 48 ingredients, 21 ingredients contained conditioning, anti-aging, and antioxidants. 10 of those ingredients were naturally occurring. Caviar’s fragrance was the last ingredient, meaning it was the least used. Only contained one ingredient (second to last) that had a moderate concern on EWG’ s site.
Out of the 22 ingredients, Suaves fragrance was the 7th ingredient. They contain only 5 conditioning ingredients, but none of them were natural. Contained 6 ingredients that were considered moderate, moderate to high or a moderate cancer causing concern. One of them being the 3rd ingredient.
I think this break down speaks for itself. Why not pay a little more to have better quality product? Especially one that does not include 6 questionable ingredients that may causes harm to you or your family!
WINNER IS CAVIAR, BY A LANDSLIDE!
So you can see why your hairstylists asks you what kind of products you are using and tries to offer you a better solution. No we are not trying to upsell you! We know your hair better than anyone, even you. We know which products to prescribe you and which ones you will benefit from. We trust our products and we will stand behind them. When you leave the salon your hair is full of shine and body. By the time your next appointment comes around, your hair is lackluster, dry and or maybe even breaking. Start investing in yourself, because you deserve to walk out of the house feeling and looking amazing like you did when you left the salon. We also carry budget friendly professional products. Please ask your hairstylist the next time you see them, what they would prescribe for you!
Below you will find the list of ingredients and what they are used for. Check out WWW.EWG.ORG’s site to see what the ingredients in your hair care products are meant for and what dangers they cause.
Caviar moisture shampoo
Water (Aqua)
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (coconut derived emulsifier),
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (cleaning agent that is gentle to skin),
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (A great alternative to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This product is derived from coconut and palm oils, and conforms to Ecocert’s natural and organic cosmetic standard and is 100% of natural origin),
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (is a soap-like, yellow liquid, which is made by blending raw coconut oil with a naturally-derived chemical ),
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (foaming agent (produced by the breakdown of creatine or caffeine), a modified fatty acid ,
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (tertiary amine oxide which functions as a hair-conditioning agent and as a surfactant ),
Methyl Gluceth-20 (water soluble emollient and humectant produced from Glucose and MethylAlcohol and originally derived from corn sugar and corn starch. It is a versatile, gentle, effective humectant, emollient, and foaming agent that imparts a smooth feel to the skin) ,
Glycol Distearate (chemical compound used as an emollient in cosmetics and other consumer products. It is the diester of ethylene glycol and stearic acid.),
Glycereth-26 is a glyceryl ester and is a multitudinous oil used in cosmetics as an emollient, lubricant, as well as a water-binding and thickening agent),
Algae Extract (nourishes the hair with vitamins and minerals. Also protects from antioxidant stress. Also helps to hydrate )
Amodimethicone (is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer. Helps the comb to glide throught the hair.)
Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment (antioxidant and is a yeast extract fermented in the presence of magnesium ions. )
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment (minerals, in this case copper, are converted by a yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae into a bioavailable, low molecular weight glycopeptide. The yeast is then removed and the copper peptide can penetrate the skin. Stimulates healing and promotes collagen and elastin production.),
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment (Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment is an extract of a fermentation proudct of saccharomyces in thepresence of iron ions. Skin conditioning),
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment (Extract of yeast fermented in the presence of silicon ions. Skin conditioning)
Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment (is an extract of a fermentation product of saccharomyces in thepresence of zinc ions. Skin conditoning)
Phospholipids (naturally occurring complex lipids which contain glycerol, two fatty acids and a phosphate group. Phospholipids are the primary constituents of cell membranes. Skin conditioning.)
Soy Amino Acids (mixture of amino acids derived from the complete hydrolysis of soy protein. Hair and skin conditioning.)
Sodium Phytate, Polysilicone-15 (complex sodium salt of Phytic Acid. Chelating agent (chemical compounds (usually organic compounds) that form complexes with metal ions or other substrates.)
Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil (pressed linseed oil is used for fragerence and conditioning.)
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (pressed from sunflower seed for conditioning)
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol (siloxane polymer made from vegetables, used for conditioning)
Glycerin (naturally occurring alcohol compound found in many lipids. Aids in conditioning, surfactant and fragrance.)
Laureth-9 (alcohol that aids as a surfactant)
Caviar Extract Very rich in vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B6 and micro-elements Co, Cu, P, Si, Zn as well as amino acids. Slows down the aging process and also aids in repair and conditioning)
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (is a vegetable fat. Viscosity controlling and skin conditioning)
Ascorbic Acid (viatmin c) (Antioxidant; Fragrance Ingredient; pH Adjuster; Skin-Conditioning Agent – Miscellaneous; BUFFERING; MASKING; SKIN CONDITIONING)
Superoxide Dismutase (is a mixture of metaloenzymes found in aerobic cells. Reducing Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent – Miscellaneous; ANTIOXIDANT; SKIN CONDITIONING)
Polyquaternium-10 (is a synthetic polymeric. Antistatic Agent; Film Former; Hair Fixative)
Trideceth-12 (is the polyethylene glycol ether of a long fatty alcohol, tridecyl alcohol; used as a surfactant. )
Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E) (Antioxidant and skin conditioning)
C12-13 Pareth-3 (is a polyethylene glycol ether of a mixture of synthetic C12-13 fatty alcoholswith an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide. Which is a surfactant)
C12-13 Pareth-23 (C12-13 Pareth-23 is a polyethylene glycol ether of a mixture of synthetic C12-13 alcohols withan average of 23 moles of ethylene oxide. Cleansing and surfactant)
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer (polymer that is skin conditioning)
C11-15 Pareth-7 (Made from a synthetic mixture of Polyethylene glycol and Fatty alcohols. The higher the number, the thicker it is. Used to keep product from separating into its oil and water components. Surfactant)
Butylene Glycol (is a chemical compound (1,3-butanediol)—a colorless organic alcohol used in the following ways: as a solvent (helps other products dissolve in water), as a viscosity-decreasing agent (to thin creams and gels so they’re easier to use), and as a conditioning agent.)
Polyquaternium-7 (synthetic polymer. Antistatic agent)
Decyl Glucoside (glucose based surfactant that aids in conditioning)
Acrylates Copolymer (Acrylates copolymer is composed of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid building blocks. Hair Fixative; Suspending Agent -Nonsurfactant; ANTISTATIC; BINDING; FILM FORMING)
Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride (quaternary ammonium salt. Antistatic and hair conditioning)
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (quaternary ammonium derivative of guar gum; used in hair conditioning products. Antistatic, hair conditioning, and viscosity controlling)
Citric Acid (alpha hydroxy acid. PH adjuster and fragrance.)
Disodium EDTA (decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product. Viscosity controlling agent.)
Aminomethyl Propanol (buffering agent to adjust ph level)
Phenoxyethanol (preservative and fragrance.)
Methylisothiazolinone (perservative) (mod conern)
Fragrance (Parfum) (adds pleasant smell to products.)
Sauve moisture
Water
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (ingredient derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol and used as a surfactant; may be contaminated with potentially toxic manufacturing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane. Surfactant and cleansing)
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (is a synthetic surfactant; it has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, reactions that could be due to the ingredient itself or to impurities present in it, such as 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. Antistatic, conditioning and surfactant) (mod concern)
Sodium Chloride (inorganic salt (also called table salt). Viscosity increasing agent)
Glycerin (naturally occurring alcohol compound found in many lipids. Aids in conditioning, surfactant and fragrance.)
Dimethiconol (silicone based polymer. Antifoaming and hair conditioning)
Fragrance (adds a pleasant smell to product)
Carbomer (chemical compound used for a stabilizer)
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (quaternary ammonium derivative of guar gum. Antistatic)
TEA Dodecylbenzenesulfonate (aromatic compound used for cleansing)
PPG 9 (polymer used for conditioning)
Tetrasodium EDTA (is a chelating agent, used to sequester and decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product. )
TEA Sulfate (triethanolamine salt of lauryl sulfuric acid. Surfactant) (mod concern)
DMDM Hydantoin (is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative. People exposed to such formaldehyde-releasing ingredients may develop a formaldehyde allergy or an allergy to the ingredient itself and its decomposition products. In the U.S., approximately 20% of cosmetics and personal care products contain a formaldehyde-releaser and the frequency of contact allergy to these ingredients is much higher among Americans compared to studies in Europe. Perservative) (mod to high concern)
Citric Acid (alpha hydroxy acid. PH adjuster and fragrance.)
PEG 45M (polymer of ethylene oxide. binder)
Hydrolyzed Keratin (hyrdoslate of keratin, derived by acid. conditioning)
Panthenol (Panthenol is a form of vitamin B5, used as a moisturizer and lubricating compound. This ingredient is listed in the PETA’s Caring Consumer guide as a substance that can be of either animal or plant origin. Antistatic and hair conditioning)
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (widely-used preservative; has been associated with allergic reactions.) (mod to high concern)
Methylisothiazolinone (is a widely-used preservative; has been associated with allergic reactions. Lab studies on the brain cells of mammals also suggest that methylisothiazolinone may be neurotoxic. ) (mod to high concern)
Mica (CI 77019) (highly brittle silicate minerals with diverse chemical composition; typically used as a colorant. )
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Titanium dioxide is an inorganic compound used in a range of body care products such as sunscreens and makeup. It appears to have low skin penetration but inhalation is a concern. (mod concern for cancer causing)