Ingredient Glossary
Chosen with integrity, safety, and care
At Ivy & Elder, every ingredient is selected for safety and performance. We use plant-based ingredients and gentle, functional synthetics, including lightweight, plant-derived conditioners that support healthy waves and curls.
We never use phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrance, silicones, PEGs, mineral oil, or harsh sulfates.
Our formulas are always fragrance-free and smell only like the ingredients themselves.
We rely on trusted research from the EWG and CIR, and prioritize certified organic and Ecocert/Cosmos-approved materials whenever possible.
A
Alcohol Denat.
Sugar Cane
Denatured alcohol is a mixture of ethanol, derived from sugar cane, with a denaturing agent.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Aloe
Helps condition and smooth hair. I&E uses a decolorized version.
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Murumuru Seed
A natural alternative to silicone from a Brazilian nut. Smooths, protects, adds shine while detangling.
B
Behentrimonium Chloride
Colza oil from a brassica napus (oilseed turnip) plant
Made from colza oil, which is derived from the oilseed turnip. Conditions, softens, fights static, & helps rebuild dry, damaged hair.
Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Vegetable fatty acids
Helps to restructure hair cuticle and prevent broken hair and split ends. Created without solvents from two vegetable fatty acids.
C
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract (Tara Pods)
Caesalpinia Spinosa (Tara) tree of Peruvian Andes
A powerful antioxidant that protects hair from heat and UV stressors. Helps to prevent color fade and strengthen hair.
Caprylol Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Coconut & castor oil
A silicone alternative for smoothing.
Cetyl Alcohol
Coconut
A fatty alcohol derived from plants. Acts as an emollient, emulsifier & thickener. Also known for hair conditioning qualities.
Citric Acid
Citrus Fruits
Chelating agent (helps solubilize some ingredients) and ph adjuster.
Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn) Berry Extract
Hawthorn Flower
Antioxidant that protects hair against UV rays.
D
Diheptyl Succinate
Castor Oil
Silicone alternative derived from Castor Oil. Helps to detangle & smooth hair. Ours is EcoCert approved.
E
Ethylhexylglycerin
Coconut
Paraben alternative that enhances preservatives. Also helps to condition hair.
G
Glycerin
Vegetable fatty acids
A humectant that’s present in all natural lipids (fats), whether animal or vegetable. Ours is vegetable sourced.
H
Helianthus Annuss Sprout Extract
Sunflower
Conditioning and powerful anti-oxidant that helps to protect hair from heat and UV stressors.
L
Linum Usitalssimum Seed Extract
Linseed
Hair conditioning ingredient.
M
Maltodextrin
Corn, potato or rice.
Produced from a starch such as corn, rice or potato. Helps to thicken a formula.
O
Orbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil
Babassu seed
Alternative to silicone. Smooths, protects, adds shine. Improves combability.
P
Panthenol
Vitamin B5
Alcohol form of the Vitamin B5 pantothenic acid. Helps hold moisture.
Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
Pracaxi seeds
Contains high amounts of oleic, linoleic, & bebenic acid, essential fatty acids to help strengthen & condition hair. Also excellent for scalp health.
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Vegetable fatty acids
Emmolient and emulsifying ingredient.
Potassium Sorbate
Sorbic acid, Potassium Salt
Paraben alternative used as a preservative. derived from a naturally occurring antimicrobial. Originally isolated from berries of Rowan trees.
Propanediol
Corn
Preservative-boosting humectant made from renewable corn sugar fermentation. Alternative to petroleum derived Propylene Glycol.
S
Salix Alba Bark Extract
White Willow Tree Bark
Conditioning and smoothing ingredient.
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Chia Seed
Rich source of fatty acids from the Chia Seed, including omega-3 plus linolenic and palmitic acids. Provides hydration protective & anti-oxidants.
Sodium Politacatonate
Corn
Alternative to petrochemically-derived equivalents. Enhances waves, adds gloss & reduces frizz.
T
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Clean synthetic
Chelating agent (helps solubilize some ingredients) and preservative booster.
Tocopherol
Vitamin E
Vitamin-E derived from vegetable oil. A powerful anti-oxidant and conditioner.
U
Undecane & Tridecane
Coconut & Palm kernel oil
Silicone alternative known together as Cetiol Ultimate. Eco-Cert, Cosmos & Natrue approved.
W
Water (Aqua)
Water
Helps dissolve ingredients in product.
