The Bathroom Edit - Mandarin Gin

All hair and skin types.

Almost always the first ingredient listed in water-based products.

Those looking for mild cleansing, including people with sensitive scalps or dry hair.

It is part of the alkyl glucoside family, known for creating a soft, low-irritation lather. It is often blended with other surfactants to balance foam and cleansing strength.

People who enjoy a scented product.

Fragrance preference is personal. Some people prefer fragrance-free formulas by choice.

All products that need protecting from spoilage.

A very common, well-studied preservative used at low levels.

Most hair types as part of a balanced formula.

Usually present in small amounts to balance the formula.

Those interested in how a product’s texture and lather are achieved.

It is a simple mineral salt that helps create a familiar shampoo feel and can influence how a cleanser spreads through the hair.

Those interested in gentle preservation systems or sensitive scalps may find it relevant.

It is often paired with other preservatives to improve their effectiveness while allowing for lower usage levels. It also has light moisturising and conditioning properties.

Dry, coarse or thick hair that likes richer oils.

Suits some hair types more than others, and a little usually goes a long way.

Those looking to add softness, shine or manageability to dry or coarse hair.

It is rich in fatty acids that can support suppleness and reduce the feel of dryness in both hair and scalp. It is commonly used in hair oils, masks and conditioners.

Those who enjoy citrus-style fragrances or want products with a fresh aromatic profile.

Citral is naturally present in several essential oils and is listed on labels because it is a recognised fragrance allergen. Only small amounts are typically used to adjust or enhance a product’s scent.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

Those who enjoy naturally derived citrus fragrances.

As an essential oil, it contributes scent and may also offer a light refreshing feel in formulations. It can naturally contain trace levels of common fragrance allergens, which are listed separately on ingredient labels when present above threshold levels.

Those who enjoy subtly scented haircare products.

It is one of the fragrance components that must be listed separately when present above certain levels. People with known fragrance sensitivities may choose to monitor for it.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

All hair and skin types.

Almost always the first ingredient listed in water-based products.

People looking for smoother, more manageable hair or richer, creamier product textures.

Despite the name, fatty alcohols are moisturising and conditioning rather than drying. They also help stabilise and thicken many haircare formulas.

Those wanting conditioning benefits that do not weigh hair down, including fine or easily-greasy hair types.

It is commonly derived from coconut oil and glycerin and is valued for its silky, non-greasy feel. It is widely used in both skincare and haircare for its gentle, versatile performance.

Those seeking added softness, shine, or help with dry or coarse hair.

It is commonly used in haircare for its smooth, silky feel and its ability to support moisture retention. It is generally well tolerated by most hair types.

Dry or dehydrated hair, and many curl and moisture routines.

A very common, well-tolerated humectant used across countless products.

Those who prefer creamy, stable formulations that offer light conditioning.

It is a self-emulsifying form of glyceryl stearate, commonly used to create uniform textures in creams and conditioners. It can also contribute mild softness to the hair fibre.

Those looking for formulas with added slip and a richer feel may appreciate its presence.

It is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in many plant and animal oils and is commonly used to stabilise and thicken cosmetic formulations.

People who enjoy a scented product.

Fragrance preference is personal. Some people prefer fragrance-free formulas by choice.

Dry, coarse or thick hair that likes richer oils.

Suits some hair types more than others, and a little usually goes a long way.

Those who prefer richer, creamier textures in conditioners and styling products.

It is commonly used to give products structure and improve spreadability. It can be derived from plant or animal sources, with most haircare brands typically using plant-based forms.

All products that need protecting from spoilage.

A very common, well-studied preservative used at low levels.

Anyone who uses water-based products that benefit from reliable preservation.

It is commonly used alongside other preservation systems to maintain product freshness and extend shelf life. It is generally well tolerated in rinse-off and leave-in products.

Those looking for mild cleansing or lightweight conditioning in shampoos, conditioners, and leave‑ins.

It is commonly paired with fatty alcohols to create stable, creamy formulations. It contributes to slip and spreadability without weighing hair down.

Those looking to add softness, shine or manageability to dry or coarse hair.

It is rich in fatty acids that can support suppleness and reduce the feel of dryness in both hair and scalp. It is commonly used in hair oils, masks and conditioners.

Those interested in gentle preservation systems or sensitive scalps may find it relevant.

It is often paired with other preservatives to improve their effectiveness while allowing for lower usage levels. It also has light moisturising and conditioning properties.

Those looking for added conditioning support or antioxidant benefits in their haircare.

It is commonly used because it is more stable than pure vitamin E while still offering similar benefits. It appears in many leave-in and rinse-off formulations.

Those interested in how product pH affects scalp comfort or hair cuticle behaviour.

It is used in very small amounts to bring a formula to the desired pH range. Once adjusted, it does not act as a strong alkaline agent in the finished product.

Those looking for conditioning support or richer, more emollient formulas.

It is naturally found in coconut and palm-derived oils and is commonly used to enhance texture and conditioning performance in haircare products.

Those looking for products with a creamier texture or added softness in conditioning formulas.

Myristic Acid is commonly used in both skincare and haircare to improve texture and support emulsification. It can also contribute mild cleansing properties in some formulations.

Those looking for lightweight hydration or gentle scalp comfort.

Aloe extracts are widely used for their moisturising and calming properties in both hair and skin products.

Those who enjoy citrus-style fragrances or want products with a fresh aromatic profile.

Citral is naturally present in several essential oils and is listed on labels because it is a recognised fragrance allergen. Only small amounts are typically used to adjust or enhance a product’s scent.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

Those who enjoy naturally derived citrus fragrances.

As an essential oil, it contributes scent and may also offer a light refreshing feel in formulations. It can naturally contain trace levels of common fragrance allergens, which are listed separately on ingredient labels when present above threshold levels.

Those who enjoy subtly scented haircare products.

It is one of the fragrance components that must be listed separately when present above certain levels. People with known fragrance sensitivities may choose to monitor for it.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

Those who enjoy crisp, outdoorsy fragrance notes in their hair products.

It occurs naturally in many essential oils, especially pine and conifer sources. In formulations it is used mainly for its scent rather than for hair-conditioning effects.

Those who enjoy floral or rose‑inspired fragrance profiles in their hair products.

Rose ketones are aromatic compounds used by perfumers to create sophisticated floral notes. They are typically present in very small amounts to enhance overall scent character.