Ingredients Checker

No. Sulphates are cleansing ingredients used to help remove oil, sweat, product build-up and impurities. They can work well in clarifying shampoos, oily scalp products and formulas designed for a deeper clean. Some people with dry, curly, colour-treated or sensitive hair may prefer gentler or sulphate-free options because stronger cleansing can leave their hair feeling dry or rough. Whether sulphates suit you depends on your hair type, scalp, how often you wash and the full formula.

Not necessarily. Silicones are commonly used to smooth the hair surface, reduce frizz, add slip, improve shine and help protect hair from friction. They are especially useful in conditioners, masks, leave-ins and heat styling products. Some people prefer silicone-free products if they follow certain curl routines or want a lighter feel, while others find silicones help make hair easier to manage. Whether silicones suit you depends on the type of silicone, your hair texture, how much product you use and how often you cleanse.

No. The word alcohol can refer to very different types of ingredients. Fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are usually conditioning ingredients that help soften hair or give a product a creamy texture. Other alcohols, such as alcohol denat. or isopropyl alcohol, may be used to help a formula dry quickly, feel lighter or dissolve other ingredients. These can feel drying in some formulas, but the type, amount and overall product design matter.

No. Fragrance is added for scent and is a personal preference. Some people choose fragrance-free formulas, but fragrance does not indicate quality on its own.

No. Preservatives keep water-based products stable and pleasant to use after opening. They are an expected and useful part of most formulas.

Not always. Both naturally derived and lab-made ingredients can be gentle or less suitable depending on your hair and skin. What suits you depends on the full formula and how you use it.

No. This tool is for general education only. It does not diagnose allergies, sensitivities, skin conditions or scalp conditions, and it cannot identify what you may be allergic or sensitive to. If you have reacted to a product, stop using it and speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. Patch testing is the only reliable way to identify a sensitivity.

The database may not include every ingredient yet, and cosmetic ingredient names can vary between brands and labels. An unrecognised ingredient does not mean it is unsafe.

No. The checker runs in your browser only. Your ingredient list is not uploaded, saved or stored.