harrys Harry’s Post Shave Balm

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.

1. Water
2. Propanediol
3. PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
4. Dimethicone
5. Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
6. Oleth-20
7. Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
8. Glycerin
9. Jojoba Esters
10. Butylene Glycol
11. Isododecane
12. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
13. Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
14. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
15. Panthenol
16. Menthoxypropanediol
17. Bisabolol
18. Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
19. Phytosphingosine
20. Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Powder
21. Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
22. Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
23. Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
24. Tocopheryl Acetate
25. Fragrance
26. Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
27. Methyl Gluceth-20
28. Polysorbate 80
29. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
30. Ethylhexylglycerin
31. Sodium Hydroxide
32. Disodium EDTA
33. BHT
34. Phenoxyethanol
35. Chlorphenesin
36. Benzoic Acid
37. Sorbic Acid
38. Benzyl Alcohol
39. Limonene
40. 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

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

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