Pantene's Relaxed and Natural conditioner is aimed at providing moisture to dry hair. This product, marketed toward African-Americans, claims to help women of color tame, moisturize and protect their hair from damage. Pantene's Relaxed and Natural hair conditioner contains 16 ingredients.
Conditioning Agents
Pantene's Relaxed and Natural conditioner contains four conditioning agents to deliver moisture to the hair and make it feel soft and appear shiny and healthy. Stearyl alcohol, which is also a surfactant, is used to coat individual hairs to keep them from sticking together, providing a fuller appearance to the hair. Behentrimonim chloride is a conditioning agent derived from canola oil, according to "Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary." Pantene's Relaxed and Natural also contains oil derived from cocos nucifera, or the coconut. Coconut oil moisturizes the hair and provides scent to the product. Relaxed and Natural also contains dimethicone, a chemical emollient that also works to reduce skin and scalp irritation.
Clarifying Agents
There are two clarifying ingredients in Relaxed and Natural: disodium EDTA and sodium hydroxide. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent, or a chemical that binds to free radicals and environmental impurities, as stated by "Personal Care Formulas." It allows detergents to remove these products easily. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is a powerful detergent.
Vitamins and Amino Acids
Relaxed and Natural conditioner contains panthenyl ethyl ester and panthenol, both derivatives of vitamin B5. Panthenol is a modified, provitamin version of vitamin B5. Panthenyl ethyl ester is a modified version of panthenol with alcohol added. It is a moisturizer and humectant. Relaxed and natural also contains three amino acids: lysine hcl, methyl tyrosinate and hcl histidine. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. These ingredients are included to provide support and regeneration for damaged hair, according to "Personal Care Formulas."
Preservatives
Three preservatives are included in the Relaxed and Natural conditioner made by Pantene. Methylchloroisothiazolinone is an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Methylisothiazolinone is antimicrobial. These two ingredients work to extend the shelf life of the product and keep potentially harmful microorganisms from growing in the product. Benzyl Alcohol is a bacteriostatic agent. It keeps the number of bacteria in the conditioner to a minimum. Benzyl alcohol also works to reduce itchiness.
Other Ingredients
Water and non-specific fragrance are listed as ingredients in Pantene's Relaxed and Natural conditioner.
References
- Pantene: Relaxed and Natural
- "Personal Care Formulas"; Allured Publishing; 2004
- "Cosmetics Unmasked: Your Family Guide to Safe Cosmetics and Allergy-Free Toiletries"; Stephen Antczak, Gina Antczak; 2001
- "Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary"; Natalia Michalun; 2009
- "A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, 7th Edition"; Ruth Winter; 2009
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