Equate Scalp Care Super Conditioner

A nutrient-dense conditioner featuring a blend of Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Avocado Oil enriched with a vast array of superfood extracts like Kale and Spinach.

Performance Rating: 4.4

This conditioner features a robust conditioning system utilizing Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, and Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, which provide excellent slip, detangling, and anti-static properties. It is rich in emollients, including Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and Avocado Oil, making it highly effective for moisturizing dry or damaged hair. The addition of Broccoli Seed Oil serves as a natural silicone alternative to boost shine, while Panthenol adds hydration and strength. The inclusion of Fruit Acids (AHAs) from sugarcane and citrus may help smooth the cuticle for added gloss, though it is primarily a heavy moisturizing formula.

Safety Rating: 3.9

The formula avoids parabens and silicones, opting for generally safe preservatives like Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, and Sorbic Acid. However, it contains generic Fragrance and several Citrus Extracts (Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange) which can be sensitizing to those with reactive skin or scalp conditions. Benzyl Alcohol is also present as a preservative and potential allergen. The presence of Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) and simple Alcohol is noted, but they are likely buffered by the high fat content.

Final Rating: 4.2

This is a well-formulated, nutrient-dense conditioner that effectively bridges the gap between natural oils and high-performance synthetic conditioning agents. The blend of cationic surfactants ensures it actually works to detangle hair, while the “superfood” vegetable extracts and rich oils provide substantial nourishment. It is particularly well-suited for thick, curly, or dry hair types, though it might be slightly heavy for very fine hair.

Verdict

This conditioner reads like a green smoothie for the hair, boasting an impressive ingredient list that combines standard cosmetic chemistry with a massive influx of botanical extracts. It is primarily built around a solid moisturizing base of Glycerin, Shea Butter, and Coconut Oil. These ingredients are heavy-hitters in the world of hydration, known for their ability to penetrate the hair shaft and seal in moisture. Because of the inclusion of Isopropyl Palmitate and Cetearyl Alcohol early in the list, the texture is likely rich and creamy, providing substantial slip for detangling. The product utilizes Behentrimonium Chloride and Behentrimonium Methosulfate, both excellent cationic surfactants that neutralize the negative static charge on the hair. This results in smoothed cuticles and reduced frizz, making it particularly effective for textured or damaged hair types. The addition of Avocado Oil and Sweet Almond Oil further supports elasticity and shine without relying heavily on silicones, which appear to be absent from this formula. A unique aspect of this formula is the kitchen-sink approach to botanicals. It features Kale, Spinach, Broccoli Seed Oil, and Turmeric. While these sound nutritious, their efficacy in a rinse-off product is often debatable compared to leave-ins. However, Broccoli Seed Oil is interesting as it is often touted as a natural alternative to silicone, mimicking the shine and gloss usually provided by dimethicone. The inclusion of Witch Hazel and various citrus extracts (Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange) suggests a goal of balancing the scalp and adding shine through acidity, though the high oil content prevents it from being a clarifying product. While the formula is rich in natural goodies, it is not without potential drawbacks. The presence of Fragrance combined with numerous active botanicals like Ginger, Citrus Peel, and Alcohol could be a recipe for irritation for those with highly sensitive scalps or eczema. Furthermore, the sheer weight of the oils and butters might be overwhelming for fine or low-density hair, leading to limpness. Overall, this is a robust conditioner best suited for thirsty hair that needs significant moisture and detangling power.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents & Carriers / 溶剂与载体

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the formula.

🧪 Alcohol / 乙醇

Purpose: Solvent, Antimicrobial

Concerns: Can be drying to hair if in high concentrations.

Notes: Likely used to solubilize extracts or speed drying.

🧪 Propanediol / 1,3-丙二醇

Purpose: Solvent, Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: A corn-derived alternative to Propylene Glycol.

🧪 Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water / 北美金缕梅水

Purpose: Astringent, Solvent

Concerns: Can be drying.

Notes: Often used for scalp balancing.

📁 Conditioning Agents, Emollients & Humectants / 调理剂、柔润剂与保湿剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the hair.

🧪 Isopropyl Palmitate / 棕榈酸异丙酯

Purpose: Emollient, Binder

Concerns: Can be comedogenic (clog pores) for some skin types.

Notes: Provides a silky feel.

🧪 Cetearyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol, not drying; softens hair.

🧪 Behentrimonium Chloride / 山嵛基三甲基氯化铵

Purpose: Antistatic, Hair Conditioning

Concerns: Potential irritant in high concentrations.

Notes: Excellent for detangling and smoothing.

🧪 Glyceryl Stearate SE / 甘油硬脂酸酯 SE

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps blend oil and water phases.

🧪 Stearyl Alcohol / 硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Fatty alcohol that coats the hair shaft.

🧪 Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine / 硬脂酰胺丙基二甲胺

Purpose: Antistatic, Hair Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: A cationic surfactant that replaces silicones; works best with acidic pH.

🧪 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter / 牛油果树果脂

Purpose: Emollient, Occlusive

Concerns: Heavy for very fine hair.

Notes: Rich moisturizer.

🧪 Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil / 油橄榄果油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Penetrating oil rich in fatty acids.

🧪 Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil / 椰子油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: May cause breakouts on acne-prone skin (back/shoulders).

Notes: Penetrates hair shaft effectively.

🧪 Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride / 瓜儿胶羟丙基三甲基氯化铵

Purpose: Antistatic, Conditioning

Concerns: Buildup potential if overused.

Notes: Derived from guar gum; provides slip.

🧪 Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil / 鳄梨油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich in vitamins and moisture.

🧪 Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil / 甜扁桃油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: Nut allergy warning.

Notes: Lightweight oil, adds shine.

🧪 Brassica Alcohol / 芸苔醇

Purpose: Emollient, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Palm-free fatty alcohol derived from brassica.

🧪 Cetyl Esters / 鲸蜡醇酯

Purpose: Emollient, Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Synthetic wax giving a velvet feel.

🧪 Behentrimonium Methosulfate / 山嵛基三甲基硫酸甲酯铵

Purpose: Detangler, Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Very mild cationic surfactant; excellent for detangling.

🧪 Panthenol / 泛醇

Purpose: Humectant, Antistatic

Concerns: None

Notes: Pro-Vitamin B5; adds shine and moisture.

🧪 Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil / 红花籽油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich in linoleic acid.

🧪 Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil / 野大豆油

Purpose: Emollient, Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Smooths the cuticle.

🧪 Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil / 甘蓝型油菜籽油 (西兰花籽油)

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Often called a natural alternative to silicone due to its shine.

📁 Botanical Extracts / 植物提取物

🧪 Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract / 羽衣甘蓝叶提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich in vitamins.

🧪 Malt Extract / 麦芽提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning, Stabilizer

Concerns: Gluten sensitivity (rarely an issue topically).

Notes: Contains sugars and amino acids.

🧪 Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract / 结球甘蓝叶提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Sulfur-rich extract.

🧪 Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract / 姜黄根提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Soothing

Concerns: Staining (unlikely in this format).

Notes: Supports scalp health.

🧪 Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract / 黄瓜果提取物

Purpose: Soothing, Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Cooling effect.

🧪 Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract / 柠檬果皮提取物

Purpose: Astringent, Fragrance

Concerns: Phototoxicity potential (usually low in rinse-off).

Notes: Adds shine.

🧪 Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract / 葡萄柚籽提取物

Purpose: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant

Concerns: Commercial supplies sometimes contaminated with synthetic preservatives.

Notes: Used as a preservative booster.

🧪 Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract / 欧洲越桔果/叶提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant, Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of natural AHAs.

🧪 Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract / 甘蔗提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant, Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of Glycolic Acid (AHA).

🧪 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract / 甜橙果提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant, Fragrance

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of Citric Acid.

🧪 Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract / 柠檬果提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant, Astringent

Concerns: None

Notes: Clarifying agent.

🧪 Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract / 糖槭提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of natural AHAs.

🧪 Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract / 姜根提取物

Purpose: Circulation stimulant, Soothing

Concerns: Can be warming/irritating to sensitive scalps.

Notes: Promotes scalp circulation.

🧪 Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract / 紫苜蓿提取物

Purpose: Tonic, Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Nutrient-rich botanical.

🧪 Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract / 葡萄柚果提取物

Purpose: Astringent, Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Clarifies hair.

🧪 Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract / 苹果果提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Exfoliant

Concerns: None

Notes: Contains Malic Acid.

🧪 Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract / 菠菜叶提取物

Purpose: Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich in vitamins.

📁 Preservatives, Stabilizers & pH Adjusters / 防腐剂、稳定剂与pH调节剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Restricted concentration used.

Notes: Common modern preservative.

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common allergen; sensitizer.

Notes: Synthetic or natural scent blend.

🧪 Benzyl Alcohol / 苯甲醇

Purpose: Preservative, Solvent

Concerns: Allergen.

Notes: Naturally occurring in some oils.

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: None

Notes: Used to balance pH for hair cuticle health.

🧪 Ethylhexylglycerin / 乙基己基甘油

Purpose: Preservative Booster, Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Often paired with Phenoxyethanol.

🧪 Dehydroacetic Acid / 脱氢乙酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Fungicide/bactericide.

🧪 Benzoic Acid / 苯甲酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Often found in Eco-certified preservative blends.

🧪 Sorbic Acid / 山梨酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Natural organic acid preservative.

🧪 Sodium Bicarbonate / 碳酸氢钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster, Buffering

Concerns: High pH (alkaline) can damage hair if not balanced.

Notes: Baking soda; likely used to neutralize acids or clarify.