harrys Harry’s Post Shave Balm
harrys Harry’s Post Shave Balm lists 40 ingredients on its label, 36 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
- Water
- Propanediol
- PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
- Dimethicone
- Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
- Oleth-20
- Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
- Glycerin
- Jojoba Esters
- Butylene Glycol
- Isododecane
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
- Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
- Panthenol
- Menthoxypropanediol
- Bisabolol
- Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
- Phytosphingosine
- Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Powder
- Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
- Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Fragrance
- Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
- Methyl Gluceth-20
- Polysorbate 80
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Disodium EDTA
- BHT
- Phenoxyethanol
- Chlorphenesin
- Benzoic Acid
- Sorbic Acid
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Limonene
- Linalool
Highlights
Free of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains PEGContains siliconesContains mineral oilContains essential oilsContains fragranceContains EU-26 allergensContains parabensContains alcohol
Formulation view Aqueous phase with PPG-15 stearyl ether and dimethicone for smoothness. Active ingredients include panthenol and cucumber extract to soothe. Cationic polymer aids suspension. Complex preservation system. Suitable for post-shave irritated skin. Formulator note: Balancing polyols and silicones is key to avoid heavy residue affecting subsequent skincare.
Key ingredients
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- SOLVENT
- Propanediol
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- PPG-15 Stearyl EtherHydrogenated Ethylhexyl OlivateJojoba Esters
- ANTIFOAMING
- Dimethicone
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- HUMECTANT
- Butylene Glycol
Other ingredients
Propanediol Dicaprylate/CaprateOleth-20IsododecaneAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderSclerocarya Birrea Seed OilAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerPanthenolMenthoxypropanediolBisabololCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractPhytosphingosineOcimum Sanctum Leaf PowderSilybum Marianum Fruit ExtractGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractZingiber Officinale Root ExtractTocopheryl AcetateFragranceHydrogenated Olive Oil UnsaponifiablesMethyl Gluceth-20Polysorbate 80Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerinSodium HydroxideDisodium EDTABHTPhenoxyethanolChlorphenesinBenzoic AcidSorbic AcidBenzyl AlcoholLimoneneLinalool
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irritancy | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 | Green |
| Propanediol | SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 | Green |
| PPG-15 Stearyl Ether | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT | 0 | Green |
| Dimethicone | ANTIFOAMING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING | 0 | Green |
| Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Oleth-20 | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 | Green |
| Jojoba Esters | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, MOISTURISING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOOTHING | 0 | Green |
| Butylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 | Green |
| Isododecane | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOLVENT, PERFUMING | 0 | Green |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil | HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT | 0 | Green |
| Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer | VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 | Green |
| Panthenol | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Menthoxypropanediol | FRAGRANCE, REFRESHING | 1 | Green |
| Bisabolol | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOOTHING | 0 | Green |
| Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Phytosphingosine | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Powder | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract | BLEACHING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SMOOTHING, SOOTHING, PERFUMING | — | Green |
| Zingiber Officinale Root Extract | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, TONIC, PERFUMING | 1 | Green |
| Tocopheryl Acetate | ANTIOXIDANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Fragrance | 矫味剂,增香剂 | — | Yellow |
| Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Methyl Gluceth-20 | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Polysorbate 80 | DENATURANT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 | Green |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 | Green |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 | Green |
| Sodium Hydroxide | BUFFERING, DENATURANT · 限制 III/15a | 3 | Green |
| Disodium EDTA | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 | Green |
| BHT | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE · 限制 III / 325 | 0 | Yellow |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 | Yellow |
| Chlorphenesin | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/50 | 1 | Yellow |
| Benzoic Acid | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE, pH ADJUSTERS · 限制 V/1 | 1 | Green |
| Sorbic Acid | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/4 | 1 | Yellow |
| Benzyl Alcohol | PRESERVATIVE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING · 限制 III/45 and V/34 | 1 | Yellow |
| Limonene | DEODORANT, SOLVENT, PERFUMING · 限制 III/88 III/167 III/168 | 1 | Yellow |
| Linalool | DEODORANT, PERFUMING · 限制 III/84 | 1 | Yellow |
Comedogenic ratings need a published source. This batch is not yet sourced, so it is not shown.
Ingredients explained
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth
- Propanediol
- Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative
- PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
- PPG-15 stearyl ether emollient, improves spreadability; low-molecular PPG, slippery feel.
- Dimethicone
- Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin
- Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
- Not decoded yet
- Oleth-20
- Not decoded yet
- Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
- Emollient ester and emulsifier; provides silky feel in O/W systems, generally mild and non-irritating
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- Jojoba Esters
- Jojoba esters, light emollient ester, low comedogenic; sebum-like, excellent spreadability.
- Butylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel
- Isododecane
- Synthetic hydrocarbon solvent providing dry, silky skin feel; high volatility, non-comedogenic, common in sunscreens and foundations, usage 5-30%.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
- Aloe extract powder for soothing/moisturizing; low solubility, needs dispersion
- Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
- Sclerocarya birrea seed oil; fatty acid-rich for hair and skin conditioning; requires antioxidants due to unsaturation.
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
- Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.
- Panthenol
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery
- Menthoxypropanediol
- Menthol derivative; cooling agent for immediate freshness; concentration control to avoid irritation.
- Bisabolol
- Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.
- Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
- Botanical extract for conditioning; note extraction impact on active retention
- Phytosphingosine
- Phytosphingosine barrier repair ingredient, 0.1–1%; water-soluble, good for dry skin.
- Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Powder
- Not decoded yet
- Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
- Silybum marianum fruit extract (milk thistle). Antioxidant. Contains alkaloids/terpenes; rare cross-allergenicity with grass/pollen families.
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
- Liquorice root extract for soothing and brightening; batch variability, watch polyphenol interactions
- Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
- Root extract for scent and toning; may irritate compromised skin.
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light
- Fragrance
- Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components
- Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
- Oleic unsaponifiables (squalane/phytane); heavy-duty emollients suitable for dry, damaged skin repair
- Methyl Gluceth-20
- Not decoded yet
- Polysorbate 80
- Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer; watch for interaction with parabens
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care
- Disodium EDTA
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy
- BHT
- Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Chlorphenesin
- Phenolic antimicrobial; strict EU limits apply, potential allergen, careful dosing required for leave-on products.
- Benzoic Acid
- Preservative and pH adjuster at 0.1–0.5%; low water solubility, best in acidic media, irritant at high levels.
- Sorbic Acid
- Preservative effective at low pH, often combined with sorbate salts; check regulatory limits
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.
- Limonene
- Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability
- Linalool
- Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skin
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-20. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
Want to build one like this? Send an enquiry