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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 04

Data Availability:

Limited

Cantu for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream

Cantu for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream

WHERE TO BUY

As an Amazon Associate, EWG earns from qualifying purchases.

CATEGORY

Conditioner
Hair Treatment/Serum

BRAND

Cantu

DATA LAST UPDATED

September 2022

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • MODERATE
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Appeared as: AQUA (WATER)
Data Availability: Robust
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FUNCTION(S) solvent
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) denaturant, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, humectant, oral care agent;oral health care drug, skin-conditioning agent - humectant, skin protectant, viscosity decreasing agent, perfuming, solvent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, surfactant - foam booster, viscosity increasingagent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous, emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, opacifying, surfactant, viscosity controlling
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Ingredient score: 02
PROPANEDIOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) solvent, viscosity decreasing agent, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosityincreasing agent - nonaqueous, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
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Ingredient score: 08
FRAGRANCE
Appeared as: FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) deodorant, masking, perfuming
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Endocrine disruption (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
STEARYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, fragrance ingredient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, surfactant - foambooster, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous, emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, masking, opacifying, refatting, surfactant, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
CETYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, fragrance ingredient, opacifying agent, surfactant - emulsifying agent;surfactant - foam booster, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent -nonaqueous, emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, masking, opacifying, surfactant, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
POLYQUATERNIUM-10
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic agent, film former, hair fixative, antistatic, film forming
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Ingredient score: 04
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Occupational hazards (high)
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Ingredient score: 05
BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic agent, hair conditioning agent, antistatic, hair conditioning, surfactant
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Neurotoxicity (low)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 03
POLYSORBATE-60
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, surfactant - solubilizing agent, emulsifying
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
POLYQUATERNIUM-11
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic agent, film former, hair fixative, antistatic, film forming
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Ingredient score: 01
OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL
Appeared as: OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, perfuming
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) deodorant agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
CANOLA OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent -nonaqueous, emollient, emulsion stabilising, viscosity controlling
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Ingredient score: 01
SILK AMINO ACIDS
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
LACTOBACILLUS FERMENT
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) not reported, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE
Appeared as: ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE (ALOE VERA)
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
HYDROLYZED SILK
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) not reported, astringent, masking
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Ingredient score: 01
MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA EXTRACT
Appeared as: MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (KELP) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) not reported, viscosity controlling
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Ingredient score: 01
SALVIA OFFICINALIS (SAGE) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) oral care agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
URTICA DIOICA (NETTLE) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, antidandruff, astringent, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, soothing, tonic
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Ingredient score: 01
VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) anticaries agent, antidandruff agent, antifungal agent, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant;oral care agent, oral health care drug, sunscreen agent, ultraviolet light absorber
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - emollient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, hair conditioning, masking, skin conditioning, solvent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA (CARROT) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, emollient, masking, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
MACADAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA (MACADAMIA) NUT OIL
Appeared as: MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA (MACADAMIA) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient
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Ingredient score: 01
MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) SEED OIL
Appeared as: MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) SEED BUTTER
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM) SEED OIL
Appeared as: MELIA AZADIRACHTA (NEEM) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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Ingredient score: 01
PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, emollient, skin conditioning
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

AQUA (WATER), GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, PROPANEDIOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, POLYQUATERNIUM-10, PHENOXYETHANOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, POLYSORBATE 60, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, POLYQUATERNIUM-11, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CANOLA OIL, ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL, SILK AMINO ACIDS, LACTOBACILLUS FERMENT, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE (DECOLORIZED), HYDROLYZED SILK, LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT, MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (KELP) EXTRACT, SALVIA OFFICINALIS (SAGE) LEAF EXTRACT, URTICA DIOICA (NETTLE) EXTRACT, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED EXTRACT, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA (CARROT) SEED OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA (MACADAMIA) SEED OIL, MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) OIL, MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) SEED BUTTER, MELIA AZADIRACHTA (NEEM) SEED OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, BENZYL BENZOATE, BENZYL SALICYLATE, COUMARIN, HEXYL CINNAMAL.,

Product's animal testing policies

Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.


Unknown

Leading international certifiers PETA and Leaping Bunny have no information concerning this company’s use of animal testing.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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September 23, 2023 | Los Angeles, CA

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