Philip Kingsley Elasticizer vs Elasticizer Extreme: What Are They?
- Elasticizer — The original, iconic pre-shampoo treatment from Philip Kingsley. It’s a deeply conditioning hair mask designed to revive dry, “thirsty” hair, add elasticity, improve manageability and strength, and deeply hydrate strands. It’s rinsed away with shampoo, so it doesn’t weigh hair down, making it suitable even for finer hair types.
- Elasticizer Extreme — A more intensive, “super-charged” version of Elasticizer. It builds on the original’s benefits but in a stronger dose. It’s aimed particularly at very dry, porous, coiled/curly, coarse, or over-processed hair that needs deeper moisture and stronger repair.
Which Should You Use? (And When)
Here’s a quick guide to compare Philip Kingsley Elasticizer’s:
| Your Hair Situation / Goal | Choose |
|---|---|
| You have fine to medium, dry but not heavily damaged hair, and want softness, manageability and stretch — without heaviness | Elasticizer (Original) |
| Your hair is coarse, curly/coily, very dry, porous or heat/colour-damaged; or you need a deeper moisture “reset” | Elasticizer Extreme |
| You want a gentle weekly maintenance mask to boost hydration and elasticity | Elasticizer (Original) |
| You need an intensive treatment to repair, deeply moisturise, and manage frizz / definition (especially for curls) — maybe occasionally overnight | Elasticizer Extreme |
Tip: Some users even alternate between both: use the Original regularly for maintenance, and switch to Extreme when hair needs more hydration or after heavy styling / chemical treatments.
Why choose Elasticizer?
How To Use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
- Apply before shampooing.
- Dampen your hair with water and
liberally apply in sections to your mid-lengths and ends. - Cover your hair with a shower cap or your best cosy towel.
- Leave for a minimum of 20 minutes – The heat created helps open your hair’s cuticles so they can properly absorb the nutrients. There’s no maximum time — you can even sleep with it on!
- Rinse thoroughly then shampoo and condition as normal (those with fine hair should shampoo twice).
NOTE: Do not use Elasticizer 72 hours before or after dying your hair, as it may affect how the colour takes during this period only.
Key Ingredient Similarities (and What They Do)
Both versions rely on the same core active ingredients:
- Hydrolyzed Elastin — helps increase hair’s elasticity and stretch, which can reduce breakage.
- Castor Oil & Olive Oil — deliver moisture and help seal the hair cuticle for shine and softness without leaving excessive residue.
- Glycerin — helps hair retain moisture, prolonging the hydrating effects.
In other words: both are moisturising, conditioning, and built to improve elasticity and reduce breakage. The Elasticizer Extreme contains a higher concentration of these active ingredients, making it ideal for coarser or curlier hair types.
How They Differ — Performance, Hair Types & Results
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (Original)
Best for: Dry hair, normal-to-fine hair, occasional deep-conditioning needs.
What it does:
- Delivers a moisture “boost” that helps dry, brittle strands become softer and more manageable.
- Adds elasticity so hair is less prone to breakage from styling or brushing.
- Because it’s washed out after use, it doesn’t typically weigh hair down — a big plus for fine or medium hair.
- Over time, many users report smoother, healthier-looking hair, with better shine and reduced dryness.
Limitations: Might be too lightweight for very dry, curly/coily, coarse or damaged hair — the benefits may feel subtle, and very porous or over-processed hair might still feel brittle or dehydrated.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme
Best for: Very dry, coarse, curly/coily, porous, over-processed or colour-treated hair — especially hair that struggles with moisture retention, frizz, or breakage.
What it does:
- Offers deeper conditioning and more intensive hydration than the original.
- Helps rehydrate highly porous or damaged hair, improving elasticity and reducing breakage more dramatically.
- Tames frizz, helps with manageability (especially when detangling or styling), and makes hair softer, smoother, and more resilient.
- For very dry or curly hair: you may even leave it on longer (some people keep it overnight) for a “reset” treatment — more intense nourishment than a typical mask.
Potential drawbacks: Because it’s richer and more intense, it is generally too heavy for fine hair — possibly leaving hair feeling weighed down or greasy if used too often or left for too long.
Where To Buy Philip Kingsley Products
You can shop the full range of Philip Kingsley, including Elasticizer and Elasticizer Extreme, at My Haircare & Beauty. We offer fast Australian shipping, authorised stock, and expert customer service.
Explore Philip Kingsley with confidence at My Haircare & Beauty.
Final Thoughts
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer vs Elasticizer Extreme: both are excellent hair-care treatments — they just serve slightly different needs:
- If you want moisture, softness, elasticity and manageability without weighing down hair, the original Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a proven classic.
- If your hair is more demanding — coarse, curly/coily, porous or damaged — Elasticizer Extreme offers deeper nourishment, better frizz control, stronger hydration, and more resilience against breakage.
Mel is a former Hair Stylist with over a decade of industry experience.
She enjoys writing about all aspects of the hair & beauty world including, trends, new products & best-sellers.
