Haircare Ingredients Cheat Sheet
Quick guide to identify ingredient types by name patterns. See our Ingredients Database for more information.
Silicones
These are generally avoided in the curly hair community due to potential build-up. They may require stronger detergents to remove, but if you're using a regular shampoo, they should be fine.
Sources
How to identify
Exceptions
These silicones are water soluble or evaporative so they should be fine for haircare routines that don't contain strong detergents. But some sources recommend avoiding all silicones
Waxes
These can build up on hair and may require sulfates to remove completely.
Sources
How to identify
Exceptions
Sulfates
The curly hair community and resources often recommend avoiding sulfates, because of their reputation for being drying. But it can depend on your hair type and the formulation.
Sources
How to identify
Exceptions
Other Detergents
These aren't sulfates, but they are confusing! Curlsbot will be revisiting their classification in the future.
Sources
How to identify
Exceptions
Most of these detergents are amphoteric, and are considered mild by most sources. They may still be avoided if you're following 'no-poo' or cowashing routine.
Alcohols
The alcohols that the curly hair community typically recommends avoiding are short-chain alcohols. These have a reputation for being drying, but are likely fine in small amounts or in products that evaporate quickly.
Sources
How to identify
Exceptions
These alcohols are known as fatty or emollient alcohols and are good for the hair as they have a moisturizing effect.
Soap
Can be as drying as sulfates and cause build-up especially if you have hard water.
Sources
How to identify
Cationic Conditioners
These are helpful ingredients for curly hair, especially for high porosity hair. Being cationic (positively charged), they can bond to damaged hair, protecting and smoothing it. They can build up, even the non-silicone ones.