Ouai Thick Hair Treatment Masque Versus Elizavecca Milky Piggy CER-100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment

Ouai Thick Hair Treatment Masque Versus Elizavecca Milky Piggy CER-100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Cetyl Alcohol

Behentrimonium Chloride

Cetearyl Alcohol

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Amodimethicone

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Cetyl Esters

Quaternium-87

C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Keratin

Hydrolyzed Keratin

Hydrolyzed Pea Protein

Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract

Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter

Tocopherol

C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Caprylyl Glycol

BHT

Trideceth-3

Trideceth-15

Acetic Acid

Dimethicone

Laureth-23

Laureth-4

Salicylic Acid

Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer

C12-13 Pareth-23

C12-13 Pareth-3

Sodium Hydroxide

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Disodium Phosphate

Sodium Phosphate

Polysorbate 60

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

Citric Acid

Disodium EDTA

Cetrimonium Chloride

Sodium Chloride

Isopropyl Alcohol

Potassium Sorbate

Benzyl Alcohol

Sodium Benzoate

Phenoxyethanol

Parfum

Linalool

Citronellol

Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Quaternium-87, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Tocopherol, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Trideceth-3, Trideceth-15, Acetic Acid, Dimethicone, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Salicylic Acid, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Citronellol

Glycerin

Cyclopentasiloxane

Trideceth-12

Panthenol

Tocopheryl Acetate

Caramel

Butylene Glycol

Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract

Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract

Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract

Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract

Ceramide NP

Alcohol

Hydrolyzed Silk

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Gelatin

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

1,2-Hexanediol

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract

Apium Graveolens Extract

Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract

Oryza Sativa Extract

Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, Trideceth-12, Panthenol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caramel, Butylene Glycol, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Ceramide NP, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Gelatin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.

In haircare, this ingredient:

Adds shine

Protects color

Offers thermal protection

Boosts hair strength

Does not build up as easily

This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.

It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.

Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.

Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.

It plays several roles in a formula:

Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.

Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.

However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.

Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.

Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.

Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.

This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.

A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.

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.

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.

Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.

However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Hydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.

Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.

As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.

Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.

This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Parfum 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.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

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.

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.

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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