Equate Beauty Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

This is a protein-enriched, volumizing shampoo formulated with sulfate-free surfactants, biotin, and hydrolyzed collagen to add temporary body, fullness, and shine to fine or limp hair.

Performance Rating: 7.0

The formula delivers strong functional cleansing and volumizing benefits driven by a potent blend of Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, which generate rich, satisfying lather and thoroughly remove oil and buildup. Hair-strengthening ingredients like Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, and Biotin help boost body and improve strand resilience. Additionally, Dimethicone and Polyquaternium-10 deposit light conditioning, imparting smoothness and combability while mitigating surface friction. While effective for fullness and deep cleaning, the cleansing base can occasionally lean drying over repeated use, resulting in an effective yet balanced performance profile.

Safety Rating: 5.0

The safety evaluation is tempered by the inclusion of well-known contact sensitizers and potential irritants. Most notably, the preservative combination of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone carries a documented risk of skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis, even within rinse-off applications. The presence of Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate may also strip natural oils, leading to scalp dryness or barrier disruption in sensitive individuals. Furthermore, undisclosed components within Fragrance (Parfum) and artificial colorants like Ext. Violet 2 and Red 33 add additional potential for irritation, placing the formulation at a moderate safety standard.

Final Rating: 6.1

Overall, this shampoo strikes a balance between solid cosmetic efficacy and notable ingredient safety compromises. It excels at clarifying the hair and scalp while delivering body, shine, and structural support through strengthening proteins and conditioning polymers. However, these practical benefits are counterbalanced by a formulation strategy that relies on potent isothiazolinone preservatives like Methylisothiazolinone alongside added synthetic colorants and fragrance allergens. As a result, the product offers competent everyday cleansing power that remains constrained by moderate formulation risks for consumers with delicate skin or heightened scalp sensitivities.

Verdict

This shampoo utilizes a sulfate-free surfactant system anchored by Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. While technically free of traditional sulfates, olefin sulfonate is a potent cleansing agent capable of generating a rich, dense lather that thoroughly removes sebum, product residue, and environmental grime. The inclusion of secondary amphoteric surfactants helps moderate harshness, yet the wash profile leans noticeably clarifying. It delivers an invigorating clean that leaves roots feeling exceptionally refreshed and completely devoid of heavy oils.

The core highlight of the formulation is its blend of Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, and Biotin. Hydrolyzed proteins temporarily adhere to individual hair shafts, filling in microscopic cuticular gaps and creating the tactile impression of thicker, fuller strands with enhanced tensile strength. Working in tandem with Polyquaternium-10, this protein complex boosts structural body and structural bounce. It works well for individuals battling flat, lifeless hair seeking instantaneous lift and texture without needing elaborate salon treatments or heavy styling aids.

To balance the high cleansing potency and prevent excessive friction during rinsing, the formula incorporates Dimethicone alongside emulsifiers like Laureth-4 and Laureth-23. This silicone component creates a protective, lightweight film across the cuticle, delivering noticeable slip, detangling ease, and glossy light reflection. While this helps seal moisture and tame flyaways, regular users should note that the combination of silicones and film-forming polyquaterniums may gradually build up over time if not periodically rotated with a dedicated chelating or purifying wash.

A critical consideration for sensitive users is the inclusion of strong preservatives and added colorants, notably Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, and synthetic dyes like Ext. Violet 2. These particular isothiazolinone preservatives are recognized contact allergens that may trigger irritation or contact dermatitis in reactive scalps. Furthermore, the combination of strong degreasing surfactants and protein-heavy actives can leave brittle, low-porosity, or extremely coarse hair feeling stiff and dry with continuous, daily usage.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate / C14-16 烯烃磺酸钠

Purpose: Primary cleansing surfactant that creates rich foam and washes away dirt and excess oils.

Concerns: Can be drying or stripping to sensitive scalps if used frequently.

Notes: Often utilized in sulfate-free shampoo formulations as an effective alternative to standard sulfates.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine / 椰油酰胺丙基羟基磺基甜菜碱

Purpose: Secondary amphoteric surfactant that boosts foam quality and mitigates irritation from primary cleansers.

Concerns: Low risk of contact allergy.

Notes: Milder than conventional betaines and maintains foam stability across a broad pH range.

🧪 Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate / 椰油酰羟乙磺酸酯钠

Purpose: Mild anionic surfactant that produces a creamy, dense lather while gently cleansing hair.

Notes: Commonly known as ‘baby foam’ due to its exceptional gentleness on sensitive skin and hair.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Amphoteric co-surfactant, foam booster, and mild cleansing agent.

Concerns: Potential contact allergen, primarily due to synthesis impurities such as amidoamine.

Notes: Derived from coconut fatty acids, widely used to reduce the harshness of primary surfactants.

🧪 Laureth-4 / 月桂醇聚醚-4

Purpose: Nonionic surfactant and emulsifier used to blend oils and maintain formula stability.

Concerns: Potential trace 1,4-dioxane contamination from ethoxylation process.

Notes: Functions effectively as a co-emulsifier for silicone conditioning agents.

🧪 Laureth-23 / 月桂醇聚醚-23

Purpose: Nonionic surfactant and solubilizer used to disperse silicones and fragrance oils evenly.

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient with low risk of irritation.

Notes: High-HLB emulsifier that prevents silicone droplets from separating in water-based formulations.

📁 Conditioning Agents / 调理剂

🧪 Biotin / 生物素

Purpose: Hair-conditioning vitamin (Vitamin B7) that supports hair texture feel.

Notes: While critical when ingested nutritionally, topical rinse-off contact provides mostly surface conditioning benefits.

🧪 Hydrolyzed Collagen / 水解胶原

Purpose: Film-forming and conditioning agent that helps bind moisture and impart temporary volume.

Notes: Low molecular weight peptides derived from collagen that enhance hair tensile feel and manageability.

🧪 Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein / 水解小麦蛋白

Purpose: Conditioning agent that penetrates the hair cuticle to improve moisture retention and elasticity.

Concerns: Can trigger contact reactions in individuals with severe wheat or gluten allergies.

Notes: Helps reduce hair breakage by coating and reinforcing damaged hair shafts.

🧪 Polyquaternium-10 / 聚季铵盐-10

Purpose: Cationic conditioning polymer that provides wet combing ease, detangling, and anti-static control.

Concerns: Can cause product buildup over time if hair is not regularly clarified.

Notes: A quaternized cellulose derivative that deposits a thin protective film on negatively charged hair surfaces.

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Silicone conditioning agent that lubricates hair strands, imparts shine, and reduces friction.

Concerns: Potential for buildup on fine hair over extended use.

Notes: Smooths down raised cuticles, significantly reducing frizz and improving wet and dry combability.

📁 Thickeners / 增稠剂

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Viscosity adjuster used to thicken surfactant solutions.

Concerns: May contribute to dryness on chemically processed or keratin-treated hair in high amounts.

Notes: Standard table salt; adjusts the micellar network of anionic surfactants to achieve desired viscosity.

🧪 Glycol Stearate / 乙二醇硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Pearlescent agent, opacifier, and secondary thickener.

Notes: Imparts a shimmering, pearly visual finish to liquid shampoo formulations.

🧪 PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate / PEG-120 甲基葡萄糖二油酸酯

Purpose: Nonionic thickener and viscosity controller.

Concerns: Ethoxylated compound with minimal irritation risk.

Notes: Derived from corn glucose, exceptionally gentle and highly effective at reducing surfactant irritancy.

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster used to balance the formulation to the natural slightly acidic pH of hair and scalp.

Notes: Tightens hair cuticles and prevents cuticle swelling by keeping shampoo pH around 5.0 to 5.5.

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water (Aqua) / 水

Purpose: Primary solvent and vehicle that dissolves all water-soluble ingredients.

Notes: Forms the base of the shampoo, typically accounting for 65% to 85% of the total formulation.

🧪 Propylene Glycol / 丙二醇

Purpose: Humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer.

Concerns: May cause mild irritation or contact dermatitis in individuals with sensitized skin.

Notes: Helps maintain moisture balance within the formula and prevents product dry-out.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative effective against bacteria and fungi.

Concerns: Well-documented contact sensitizer and allergen.

Notes: Frequently paired with Methylisothiazolinone (as Kathon CG) and restricted to strictly low concentrations in rinse-off cosmetics.

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Broad-spectrum preservative targeting bacterial contamination.

Concerns: Known contact allergen with high sensitization potential.

Notes: Banned in leave-on cosmetics in the European Union and tightly regulated in rinse-off applications.

🧪 Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate / 碘丙炔醇丁基氨甲酸酯

Purpose: Antifungal preservative protecting against molds, yeasts, and fungi.

Concerns: Iodine content restricts use in certain leave-on products and aerosol applications.

Notes: Highly potent fungicide typically included at very low concentrations (<0.02%).

📁 Fragrance / 香精与着色剂

🧪 Fragrance (Parfum) / 香精

Purpose: Imparts a pleasant scent to the shampoo and masks base ingredient odors.

Concerns: Common source of scalp irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.

Notes: Proprietary blend of natural and synthetic scent compounds.

🧪 Ext. Violet 2 (CI 60730) / 外用紫2号 (CI 60730)

Purpose: Synthetic colorant used to tint the product and visually tone brassiness.

Concerns: Restricted for external cosmetic use only.

Notes: An anthraquinone dye commonly used alongside red dyes to create signature violet or purple hues.

🧪 Red 33 (CI 17200) / 红33号 (CI 17200)

Purpose: Synthetic azo colorant used to provide color to the formulation.

Concerns: Low potential for skin sensitization in susceptible individuals.

Notes: Water-soluble synthetic dye regulated for use in cosmetics to achieve target cosmetic shades.