K18 Hair PEPTIDE PREP™ pH Maintenance Shampoo Versus K18 Hair Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo

K18 Hair PEPTIDE PREP™ pH Maintenance Shampoo Versus K18 Hair Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo Detailed comparison of K18 Hair PEPTIDE PREP™ pH Maintenance Shampoo versus K18 Hair Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo. Water Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate Cocamidopropyl Betaine Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate Sh-Oligopeptide-78 Panthenol Glycerin Sodium Phytate Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate Caprylyl Glycol Caprylhydroxamic Acid Benzoic Acid Citric Acid Sodium Hydroxide Parfum Limonene Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sh-Oligopeptide-78, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene Sodium Chloride Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sh-Oligopeptide-78, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Limonene Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria. This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients. The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product. However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap. Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%. A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential. Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less). The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products. One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid. Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water. Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). 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 wit