The Matrix Food For Soft collection, including the shampoo, conditioner, treatment mask, and leave-in serum, promises hydration, softness, and shine for all hair types. Infused with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, the line aims to combat frizz and reduce hair porosity, addressing dryness and moisture needs. This article delves into the ingredients commonly found in shampoos, referencing information relevant to the Matrix Food For Soft shampoo where possible.
Before diving into the ingredients, it's worth noting the purchasing and return options:
Let's examine some common shampoo ingredients and their roles, relating them to the Matrix Food For Soft shampoo where applicable, which contains avocado oil and hyaluronic acid.
Good old water, aka H2O. The most common skincare ingredient of all. One more thing: the water used in cosmetics is purified and deionized (it means that almost all of the mineral ions inside it is removed). It serves as the primary solvent in most cosmetic products. Water is crucial for dissolving other ingredients and creating the desired consistency.
It’s probably the most common cleansing ingredient of all. As for mildness, it goes somewhere in the middle. It’s often confused with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), but they are absolutely not the same. The SLES molecule has a bigger water-soluble head part that makes it milder and much less irritating. It is considered absolutely ok in the amount used in cosmetic products, though if you are looking for a mild facial cleanser, you have better chances with a formula without SLES. For an average shower gel? SLES is a surfactant, meaning it helps to remove dirt and oil from the hair and scalp. It's a milder alternative to SLS, producing a good lather without excessive irritation.
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The famous or rather infamous SLS (not to be confused with SLES). It is a cleansing agent known for being too good at the job and potentially irritating the skin. But, on the positive side, it can produce copious, creamy and luxurious foam compared to the more gentle and thus nowadays much more commonly used Sodium Laureth Sulfate. In fact, SLS is so good at irritating the skin that it is very commonly used in dermatological studies just for that. It is a so-called "primary irritant", a substance that irritates the skin in one go (without prior sensitization) but doesn't do any other big harm (such as being carcinogenic or systematically toxic - those claims are not true). Also, the formula can greatly influence the irritating potential of SLS, and mixing it with other cleaning agents makes it milder. If it's not in a cleanser, it works as an emulsifier or even as a penetration enhancer for active materials. Super common ingredient in all kinds of cleansing products: face and body washes, shampoos and foam baths. While effective at cleansing and creating a rich lather, SLS can be harsh and potentially irritating for some individuals, particularly those with sensitive scalps.
Number one reason for its popularity has to do with bubbles. Everyone loves bubbles. And cocamidopropyl betaine is great at stabilizing them. The other reason is that it’s mild and works very well combined with other cleansing agents and surfactants. The art of cleansing is usually to balance between properly cleansing but not over-cleansing and cocamidopropyl betaine is helpful in pulling off this balance right. Oh, and one more nice thing: even though it’s synthetic it’s highly biodegradable. More info on CAPB on Collins Beaty Pages. This is a surfactant that boosts lather and helps to stabilize foam. It's considered a mild cleansing agent and is often used in conjunction with harsher surfactants to reduce their irritation potential.
Sodium chloride is the fancy name of salt. If (similar to us) you are in the weird habit of reading the label on your shower gel while taking a shower, you might have noticed that sodium chloride is almost always on the ingredient list. The reason for this is that salt acts as a fantastic thickener in cleansing formulas created with ionic cleansing agents (aka surfactants) such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate. A couple of percents (typically 1-3%) turns a runny surfactant solution into a nice gel texture. If you are into chemistry (if not, we understand, just skip this paragraph), the reason is that electrolytes (you know, the Na+ and Cl- ions) screen the electrostatic repulsion between the head groups of ionic surfactants and thus support the formation of long shaped micelles (instead of spherical ones) that entangle like spaghetti, and viola, a gel is formed. Other than that, salt also works as an emulsion stabilizer in water-in-oil emulsions, that is when water droplets are dispersed in the outer oil (or silicone) phase. Common table salt that acts as a thickener in shampoo formulas. It helps to adjust the viscosity of the product, giving it a desirable texture.
A so-called diester created from two stearic acid molecules and an ethylene glycol molecule. Its main thing is being an opacifier and pearling agent in cleansing products making them white and glossy. This ingredient is primarily used to give the shampoo a pearly, opaque appearance. It doesn't contribute to the cleansing or conditioning properties of the product.
Exactly what it sounds: nice smelling stuff put into cosmetic products so that the end product also smells nice. If you are someone who likes to know what you put on your face then fragrance is not your best friend - there's no way to know what’s really in it. Also, if your skin is sensitive, fragrance is again not your best friend. It’s the number one cause of contact allergy to cosmetics. Fragrance is added to provide a pleasant scent to the shampoo. However, it's important to note that "fragrance" can be a blend of various aromatic compounds, and for individuals with sensitive skin, it can be a potential allergen. The Matrix Food For Soft shampoo is noted to have a subtle fruity fragrance.
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Chemically speaking, it is the little sister of Cocamide DEA and has similar properties to that guy. This ingredient functions as a foam booster and viscosity enhancer. It helps to create a richer, more stable lather.
Citric acid comes from citrus fruits and is an AHA. But according to a comparative study done in 1995, citric acid has less skin improving magic properties than glycolic or lactic acid. Citric acid is used to adjust the pH of the shampoo. Maintaining the correct pH is important for optimal cleansing and to prevent irritation.
The unfancy name for it is lye. It’s a solid white stuff that’s very alkaline and used in small amounts to adjust the pH of the product and make it just right. For example, in case of AHA or BHA exfoliants, the right pH is super-duper important, and pH adjusters like sodium hydroxide are needed. BTW, lye is not something new. It was already used by ancient Egyptians to help oil and fat magically turn into something else. Can you guess what? Yes, it’s soap. Similar to citric acid, sodium hydroxide is a pH adjuster. It's a strong base that can neutralize acids and raise the pH of a formulation.
Probably the most common silicone of all. As for skincare, it makes the skin silky smooth, creates a subtle gloss and forms a protective barrier (aka occlusive). Also, works well to fill in fine lines and wrinkles and give skin a plump look (of course that is only temporary, but still, it's nice). There are also scar treatment gels out there using dimethicone as their base ingredient. It helps to soften scars and increase their elasticity. As for hair care, it is a non-volatile silicone meaning that it stays on the hair rather than evaporates from it and smoothes the hair like no other thing. This silicone polymer helps to smooth the hair, reduce frizz, and add shine. It forms a protective barrier on the hair shaft, making it feel softer and more manageable.
A big molecule created from repeated subunits (a polymer of acrylic acid) that magically converts a liquid into a nice gel formula. It usually has to be neutralized with a base (such as sodium hydroxide) for the thickening to occur and it creates viscous, clear gels that also feel nice and non-tacky on the skin. No wonder, it is a very popular and common ingredient. This is a thickening agent that helps to create the desired viscosity and texture of the shampoo.
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As for skincare, menthol seems to be a mixed bag. While menthol is not typically found in standard shampoos, it's worth noting its properties. Menthol can provide a cooling and refreshing sensation to the scalp.
A modified dimethicone-type silicone molecule that also contains amino-groups. Having amino-groups means that Amodimethicone also has Nitrogen in its molecule that likes to have a positive charge. Positively charged (or quaternised) molecules are substantive to skin and hair as those are negatively charged surfaces and are excellent film formers. This is a modified silicone that also conditions the hair. Its unique structure allows it to bind more effectively to damaged areas of the hair shaft, providing targeted repair and smoothing benefits.
The oil coming from the pulp of one of the most nutritious fruits in the world, the avocado. It's loaded with the nourishing and moisturizing fatty acid, oleic (70%) and contains some others including palmitic (10%) and linoleic acid (8%). Avocado oil has extraordinary skin penetration abilities and can nourish different skin layers. It's a very rich, highly moisturizing emollient oil that makes the skin smooth and nourished. Thanks to its vitamin E content it also has some antioxidant properties. Infused in the Matrix Food For Soft collection, avocado oil is a rich source of fatty acids and antioxidants. It nourishes and moisturizes the hair, improving its softness, shine, and overall health.
Linalool is a super common fragrance ingredient. It’s kind of everywhere - both in plants and in cosmetic products. The problem with linalool is, that just like limonene it oxidises on air exposure and becomes allergenic. That’s why a product containing linalool that has been opened for several months is more likely to be allergenic than a fresh one. This is a fragrance ingredient that contributes to the overall scent of the product. It's important to be aware that linalool can be an allergen for some individuals, especially after it has been exposed to air and oxidized.
It’s a common fragrance ingredient that has a light floral smell. It’s one of the “EU 26 fragrances” that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term “fragrance/perfume” on the label) because of allergen potential. Best to avoid if your skin is sensitive. Another fragrance ingredient, benzyl salicylate, adds a floral scent. Like linalool, it is listed as one of the "EU 26 fragrances" due to its potential to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
It's one of those things that help your cosmetics not to go wrong too soon, aka a preservative. No matter the origin, in small amounts (up to 1%) it’s a nice, gentle preservative. Has to be combined with some other nice preservatives, like potassium sorbate to be broad spectrum enough. In high amounts, it can be a skin irritant, but don’t worry, it’s never used in high amounts. This is a common preservative used in cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, thereby extending the shelf life of the product.
A common fragrance ingredient that has a sweet, vanilla, nutty scent. When diluted it smells like freshly-mown hay. It’s one of the “EU 26 fragrances” that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term “fragrance/perfume” on the label) because of allergen potential. Coumarin is a fragrance ingredient with a sweet, vanilla-like scent. As part of the "EU 26 fragrances," it requires separate labeling due to its allergenic potential.
It's often paired with glyceryl stearate - the two together form a super effective emulsifier duo that's salt and acid tolerant and works over a wide pH range. We don't have description for this ingredient yet. Glyceryl stearate functions as an emulsifier, helping to blend water and oil-based ingredients together in the shampoo formula.
It’s the - sodium form - cousin of the famous NMF, hyaluronic acid (HA). If HA does not tell you anything we have a super detailed, geeky explanation about it here. The TL; DR version of HA is that it's a huge polymer (big molecule from repeated subunits) found in the skin that acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water, being plump and elastic. As far as skincare goes, sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are pretty much the same and the two names are used interchangeably. In spite of this, if you search for "hyaluronic acid vs sodium hyaluronate" you will find on multiple places that sodium hyaluronate is smaller and can penetrate the skin better. Chemically, this is definitely not true, as the two forms are almost the same, both are polymers and the subunits can be repeated in both forms as much as you like. A key ingredient in the Matrix Food For Soft line, sodium hyaluronate is a derivative of hyaluronic acid. It's a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture, helping to hydrate the hair and improve its elasticity and softness.
A super common and cheap fragrance ingredient. It's in many plants, e.g. rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and it's the main component (about 50-90%) of the peel oil of citrus fruits. It does smell nice but the problem is that it oxidizes on air exposure and the resulting stuff is not good for the skin. Oxidized limonene can cause allergic contact dermatitis and counts as a frequent skin sensitizer. Limonene's nr1 function is definitely being a fragrance component, but there are several studies showing that it's also a penetration enhancer, mainly for oil-loving components. All in all, limonene has some pros and cons, but - especially if your skin is sensitive - the cons probably outweigh the pros. Limonene is a fragrance ingredient derived from citrus fruit peels. While it provides a pleasant scent, it can be an allergen, especially when oxidized upon air exposure.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet. Salicylic acid is one of the gold standard ingredients for treating problem skin. It is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) known for its exfoliating properties.
It’s pretty much the current IT-preservative. It’s safe and gentle, but even more importantly, it’s not a feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason paraben. It’s not something new: it was introduced around 1950 and today it can be used up to 1% worldwide. It can be found in nature - in green tea - but the version used in cosmetics is synthetic. Other than having a good safety profile and being quite gentle to the skin it has some other advantages too. Caprylyl glycol functions as a preservative and humectant. It helps to prevent microbial growth and keep the hair moisturized.
The acid found in vinegar. Can be a skin irritant and drying in larger amounts but in tiny amounts, it's used to set the pH of the cosmetic formula. Acetic acid, found in vinegar, is used in small amounts to adjust the pH of the shampoo formula.
Sunflower does not need a big intro as you probably use it in the kitchen as cooking oil, or you munch on the seeds as a healthy snack or you adore its big, beautiful yellow flower during the summer - or you do all of these and probably even more. It’s a real oldie: expressed directly from the seeds, the oil is used not for hundreds but thousands of years. According to The National Sunflower Association, there is evidence that both the plant and its oil were used by American Indians in the area of Arizona and New Mexico about 3000 BC. Do the math: it's more than 5000 years - definitely an oldie. Our intro did get pretty big after all (sorry for that), so let's get to the point finally: sunflower oil - similar to other plant oils - is a great emollient that makes the skin smooth and nice and helps to keep it hydrated. It also protects the surface of the skin and enhances the damaged or irritated skin barrier. It's also loaded with fatty acids (mostly linoleic (50-74%) and oleic (14-35%)). The unrefined version (be sure to use that on your skin!) is especially high in linoleic acid that is great even for acne-prone skin. Sunflower seed oil is an emollient that helps to smooth and hydrate the hair. It's rich in fatty acids that can protect the hair surface and improve the skin barrier of the scalp.
The extract coming from the lovely herb, rosemary. It contains lots of chemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and diterpenes. Its main active is rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary leaf extract offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It can help to protect the scalp from damage and promote a healthy scalp environment.
Pure Vitamin E. Great antioxidant that gives significant photoprotection against UVB rays. Works in synergy with Vitamin C. Tocopherol, or Vitamin E, is a potent antioxidant that protects the hair and scalp from damage caused by free radicals. It also offers some photoprotection against UVB rays.
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