Hi. I’ve done a search but couldn’t find anything definitive related to quats (and I’m also on the forum when I should be going to work Could someone please enlighten me? TIA

Michelle - 06 July 2010 08:38 AM

Hi. I’ve done a search but couldn’t find anything definitive related to quats (and I’m also on the forum when I should be going to work Could someone please enlighten me? TIA

Here’s a Curl Chemist article on Polyquats:

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/ingredients/all-about-another-hard-to-pronounce-ingredient

HTH!

Thanks CT

Michelle - 06 July 2010 07:40 PM

Thanks CT

You’re most welcome, Michelle! 

I’ve been thinking…. I understand what’s bad about sulfates, cos they strip the hair of it’s natural oils too harshly and therefore dry the hair out (I think).

But cones…. is it that they are used in hair products because they discourage moisture uptake and thus can help hair stay sleek and non-frizzy, but actually this has the effect of drying hair out because it stops it taking up moisture, which curly hair particularly needs?  I mean, I’m not gonna use them, but was just trying to get an understanding of exactly what they do.

I gather cones also build up if not stripped with sulfates.  Does the build-up cause lankness or just exacerbate the effect of stopping the hair taking on moisture?

It’s astonishing that so many products contain cones, and most shampoos contain sulfates.  Maybe one day everyone, not just curly girls who know about CG, will be avoiding these two nasties?

Hi DD - in my opinion cones aren’t really the evil ingredients they are portrayed as - they help with smoothing the hair, cutting down on friction when combing etc and so help prevent damage, protect, keeping moisutre inside the hair shaft but the down side is they can stop the hair absorbing moisture from the air and they can build up on hair since lots of them aren’t water soluble and this becomes a problem sometimes for people who co wash.  However the ingredient Cocamidopropyl Betaine or coco betaine will remove most cones if your conditioner has this in it. If you have build up you just sort of know because your hair can be lank or you just feel that it’s not sitting as good as normal and you can’t work out what’s wrong.  I used to be so anti-silicone but I can see the benefits of them - I think (in my opinion) that its the harsh sulphates that do more damage as they really strip your hair of oils/moisture.

curlyhairmich - 23 August 2010 12:43 PM

Hi DD - in my opinion cones aren’t really the evil ingredients they are portrayed as - they help with smoothing the hair, cutting down on friction when combing etc and so help prevent damage, protect, keeping moisutre inside the hair shaft but the down side is they can stop the hair absorbing moisture from the air and they can build up on hair since lots of them aren’t water soluble and this becomes a problem sometimes for people who co wash.  However the ingredient Cocamidopropyl Betaine or coco betaine will remove most cones if your conditioner has this in it. If you have build up you just sort of know because your hair can be lank or you just feel that it’s not sitting as good as normal and you can’t work out what’s wrong.  I used to be so anti-silicone but I can see the benefits of them - I think (in my opinion) that its the harsh sulphates that do more damage as they really strip your hair of oils/moisture.

Yep - seconded! My hair is much better off for removing the sulphates.

Oooh, that’s interesting CHM.  So do you use some products with cones now?

CT, I agree - my hair is much better since I stopped using sulfates.  It is far less dry, and it doesn’t get greasy for much longer, presumably because it’s not been stripped so the scalp doesn’t feel the need to compensate. 

I felt uneasy about letting the hair salon wash my hair with sulfates (and use cones).  Was glad to get back on track at home.

Hi deb - I will use water soluble cones in some products but have got an ok routine going on with what I am doing.  I’m just really saying don’t get into a panic over them - they can be washed out and in most cases you don’t need a big hard sulfate to do it! 

dandiliondeb - 24 August 2010 08:08 AM

Oooh, that’s interesting CHM.  So do you use some products with cones now?

CT, I agree - my hair is much better since I stopped using sulfates.  It is far less dry, and it doesn’t get greasy for much longer, presumably because it’s not been stripped so the scalp doesn’t feel the need to compensate. 

I felt uneasy about letting the hair salon wash my hair with sulfates (and use cones).  Was glad to get back on track at home.

Just take your own stuff next time you go. 

this is a pretty good article on product ingredients from naturallycurly.com

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/learn-to-decipher-your-product-labels-silicones-alcohols-hairsprays-oh-my?utm_source=nc_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110301

wow!! it’s a minefield innit?!!

eeek!! just about to try CG and totally scared now!!

Lancashirecurly - 15 April 2011 10:31 AM

wow!! it’s a minefield innit?!!

eeek!! just about to try CG and totally scared now!!

don’t worry too much about it you’ll soon get the knack and will be reading the backs of bottles with the rest of us lol

Hi, new to all this, got my Curly Girl book today, am I right in thinking if any poo, co, or styling product I pick up in a shop has any of the above sulfates,silicones,proteinsetc listed in the ingredients I should avoid? Seems like a lot of things, also been reading a lot about ‘plopping’ on this site but this isn’t mentioned in my book anywhere, what does it mean? Gonna try the CG method and see how I go, cus don’t think my hair can get much worse at the min! Thanks

This is brilliant thankyou! I am struggling trying to work out if my Aveda Blue Malva conditioner is CG or not as some of the ingredients are a bit crazy! I am trying to find something that removes brassiness form highlights…. Here are the ingredients I am not sure about - I would really appreciate some help or recommendation of another purple conditioner!

dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate (palm)
behenamidopropyl ethyldimonium ethosulfate (mixed plant)
dicaprylyl ether
glyceryl stearate (mixed plant)
tocopheryl acetate