Environmental Working Group

The Product:

Garnier Fructis, Fortifying Cream Conditioner Color Shield

The Ingredients:

Aqua/Water, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG 180, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Cetyl Esters, Methylparaben, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Lauryl PEG/PPG 18/18 Methicone, Lanolin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCI, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trideceth 12, Citric Acid, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Poloxamer 407, Dodecene, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Citrus Limonum (Lemon Peel Extract), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

The Surprise:

Ingredients in this product are linked to:

• Cancer
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity
• Violations, restrictions & warnings
• Allergies/immunotoxicity
• Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Of the ingredients listed for Garnier Fructis Fortifying Cream Conditioner, over half turn up on the Environmental Working Groups database, categorizing the product as a moderate hazard. Fragrance and mehylparaben both score an 8, fragrance for neurotoxicity and allergies/immunotoxicity, while methylparaben for violations, restrictions & warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), irritation, and biochemical or cellular level changes. PEG-180 also ranks a 6 because of developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), and contamination concerns.

It is really scary that such a mainstream and over the counter conditioner can be so harmful to my body, especially when involving organ system, developmental, and reproductive toxicity. Garnier Fructis always focuses on their “reinforced active fruit concentrate, with vitamins B3 and B6, fructose, and glucose” in commercials, portraying an all-natural, healthy brand image. However, according to the Environmental Working Group database their products in actuality are very contrary to this image.

Although I do look for hair care products that support color treated hair, I will defiantly not be purchasing this product again. Looking through the database, I didn’t recognize any low hazard U.S. brand alternatives for color treated hair so I will have to compare ingredients the next time I am shopping. Now I am aware that any ingredient that begins in “meth” or “fragrance” should send up an instant red flag in my mind. Buts Bees and Natures Gate are brands that I am familiar with were listed as low hazard products, so I will be sure to keep an eye out for them when purchasing new hair care products.

For more information on the Environmental Working Group visit:

https://pod51000.outlook.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=d874a47ee5684fcbb106a2e29f2f02ff&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cosmeticsdatabase.com%2fproduct%2f230684%2fGarnier_Fructis_Haircare_Fortifying_Cream_Conditioner%252C_Color_Shield%2f