What’s Really in Luck?
Demystifying Our Ingredient List
Ingredient labels can look a little intimidating. Cocamidopropyl Betaine? Behentrimonium Methosulfate? Hydroxyethylcellulose? They may sound complicated, but a scientific name doesn't automatically mean an ingredient is harsh or something to avoid. Here’s a simple, A-to-Z guide to the ingredients used across Luck—and why they're there.
A
Allantoin
A soothing, conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel softer, smoother and more flexible.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera)
The familiar aloe plant under its scientific name. Aloe provides moisture and helps soothe and condition the hair and scalp.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil)
Oil pressed from the kernels of the argan tree. It helps moisturize, nourish and add softness and shine to dry hair.
Arginine
An amino acid—one of the building blocks of protein. In haircare, it's used to help condition hair and support stronger, smoother, healthier-looking strands.
Arginine HCl
A stable form of the amino acid arginine. It helps condition the hair and contributes to softer, smoother-feeling strands.
B
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Despite the word methosulfate, this is not the kind of sulfate cleanser people are usually trying to avoid in shampoo. It's a gentle conditioning ingredient derived from rapeseed oil and is used to soften hair, improve detangling and reduce static and flyaways.
C
Caffeine
Yes, the same naturally occurring stimulant associated with coffee and tea. In topical haircare, caffeine is included to help support the scalp and hair follicles.
Calcium Pantothenate
A form of vitamin B5 used as part of a conditioning blend to support healthy-looking hair.
Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil — Hemp Oil
That's simply the scientific ingredient name for Hemp Oil. Rich in naturally occurring fatty acids and nutrients, it helps moisturize and condition dry hair and scalp and is one of the foundational ingredients in Luck.
Caprylyl Glycol
A moisturizing ingredient derived from caprylic acid, which occurs naturally in coconut and other plant oils. It also helps support a product's preservation system.
Cetearyl Alcohol
The word alcohol can be misleading here. Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol, not a drying alcohol. It's used to condition, soften and improve the texture of hair while also giving conditioners and masks their creamy consistency.
Cetrimonium Chloride
A conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair, reduce static and flyaways, and leave hair feeling smoother.
Citric Acid
An organic acid naturally found in citrus and other fruits. In haircare, it's primarily used to adjust pH and can help support a smoother-feeling hair cuticle.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
A coconut-derived cleansing ingredient that helps water mix with oils and dirt so they can be rinsed away. It also contributes to that satisfying shampoo lather.
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Good old coconut oil wearing its scientific name. It helps condition dry hair, add shine and reduce the appearance of frizz.
Cystoseira Compressa Extract
A botanical extract derived from seaweed. It's used to condition hair and help improve shine and the appearance of vitality.
E
Ethylhexylglycerin
A conditioning ingredient that also helps support the formula's preservation system.
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil (Eucalyptus Essential Oil)
Essential oil derived from eucalyptus leaves. It's included in Luck for its refreshing, scalp-focused properties and natural aromatic character.
G
Gluconolactone
A humectant, meaning it helps attract and retain moisture. It helps keep the hair and scalp feeling hydrated, soft and comfortable.
Glycerin
A widely used humectant that attracts moisture and helps hair and scalp retain hydration. Simple ingredient, very useful job.
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier and conditioning ingredient. It helps oil- and water-based ingredients stay properly blended while contributing softness and slip.
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Germ Extract
An extract derived from soy. It is used for its conditioning properties and as part of Luck's broader plant-powered approach to supporting healthier-looking hair.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
A conditioning ingredient derived from guar that helps soften and detangle hair, reduce static and improve manageability.
H
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil under its botanical name. Rich in fatty acids, it helps moisturize and condition dry hair and scalp.
Hemp Seed Extract
An extract from the hemp plant included for its plant-derived compounds and hair- and scalp-conditioning properties.
Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
Oat protein broken into smaller pieces so it can be incorporated into haircare. It helps condition the hair and can make strands feel fuller and more substantial.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Soy protein broken into smaller components for use in haircare. It helps hair retain moisture while contributing body, shine and manageability.
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Wheat protein that has been broken into smaller components. It's used to condition and strengthen the feel of hair, particularly hair that has been stressed by styling or chemical treatments.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
A plant-derived thickener made from cellulose. Its primary job is much less exciting than its name: it gives the product the right consistency and helps keep the formula stable.
L
Lactic Acid
Used primarily to help maintain the appropriate pH of the formula. The right pH can also help hair feel smoother and more manageable.
Lauryl Glucoside
A mild, plant-derived cleansing ingredient made from fatty alcohols and glucose. It helps loosen oils and impurities so they can be rinsed from the hair.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Lavender essential oil. Included for its soothing, scalp-friendly properties and its naturally calming aroma.
M
Maltodextrin
A plant-derived carbohydrate typically made from starch. In haircare, it can help form a lightweight film around the strand, contributing to the appearance and feel of fuller hair.
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
Peppermint essential oil. It provides Luck's naturally refreshing peppermint experience and is included for its scalp-focused properties.
Menthol
The naturally cooling component associated with mint. It gives the scalp that fresh, cooling sensation and is used in scalp-care products to help the scalp feel refreshed and comfortable.
N
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3. In hair and scalp formulations, it's used as a conditioning ingredient to support healthy-looking hair and scalp.
P
Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
A form of vitamin B5 widely used in haircare. It helps attract and retain moisture, condition the hair and scalp, and leave strands feeling softer and smoother.
Phenoxyethanol
A preservative—and an important one to demystify. It helps protect water-based products from microbial contamination so they're safe and stable during normal use.
Pisum Sativum (Pea) Sprout Extract — AnaGain®
The scientific name behind one of Luck's hero ingredients. AnaGain® is derived from organic pea sprouts and was specifically selected to help support the hair's natural growth cycle over time.
Polysorbate 20
An emulsifier and surfactant that helps ingredients that don't naturally mix—such as oil and water—work together within a formula.
Propanediol
A moisturizing ingredient that helps retain hydration and can also help other ingredients disperse effectively throughout a formula.
Pyridoxine HCl
A form of vitamin B6 used as a hair- and skin-conditioning ingredient.
R
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
Rosemary under its botanical name. This plant extract is included to help support a healthy scalp environment and healthier-looking hair.
S
Saccharide Isomerate
A plant-derived moisturizing ingredient made from sugars. It helps attract and hold moisture, supporting hydration of the scalp and hair.
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Extract
An extract from the familiar sage plant. It's included for its conditioning and scalp-soothing properties.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract (Chinese Skullcap)
A botanical root extract rich in naturally occurring antioxidants. It's included in haircare formulations to help condition and support the scalp.
Serine
An amino acid used to condition hair and help strands feel smooth, strong and manageable.
Silica
A naturally occurring mineral used in cosmetic formulations for texture, absorbency and product performance.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
That's jojoba oil. It comes from the seeds of the jojoba shrub and helps moisturize and condition both hair and scalp.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
A stable derivative of vitamin C used for its antioxidant and conditioning properties.
Sodium Benzoate
A preservative that helps keep the formula protected from microbial growth and safe during normal use.
Sodium Citrate
The sodium salt of citric acid. It's primarily used to help maintain the proper pH of a formula.
Sodium Hydroxide
Used in very small amounts to adjust and balance a product's pH. Its role in a finished cosmetic formula is very different from the concentrated ingredient people may recognize by name.
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
A very mild cleansing and foaming ingredient derived from coconut. It's frequently used in gentle cleansers, including baby-care products, because it cleans without relying on traditional harsh sulfates.
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Another intimidating name for a very mild, sulfate-free cleansing ingredient derived from coconut. It produces creamy lather while helping remove oil and buildup.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
A mild coconut-derived cleanser chosen for its ability to produce rich foam and remove excess oil without relying on traditional sulfate cleansers.
Sodium PCA
A naturally occurring moisturizing component related to amino acids. It attracts moisture and helps keep hair feeling soft, smooth and flexible.
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
A modified starch used primarily to absorb excess oil and improve the texture and performance of a formula.
Soy Amino Acids
Amino acids obtained from soy protein. Because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, they're included to condition hair and help support stronger, healthier-feeling strands.
T
Threonine
An amino acid used in haircare for conditioning and anti-static properties.
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
A stable form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and conditioning ingredient to help support and protect the hair and scalp.
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Derived from wheat germ and naturally rich in conditioning components. It's used to help moisturize and soften hair.
W
Water (Aqua)
Yes, even water gets an official ingredient-list name. It acts as the base and carrier for many of the ingredients in a formula.
Wheat Amino Acids
Amino acids derived from wheat protein. They help condition hair, retain moisture and leave strands feeling smoother, softer and stronger.
Z
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Corn starch under its botanical name. It's used to help absorb excess oil and improve the feel and texture of a formula.
A Scientific Name Doesn't Mean a Bad Ingredient
We believe you should know what's in the products you put on your hair and scalp.
Cosmetic labels are required to use standardized ingredient names, which is why something as familiar as coconut oil becomes Cocos Nucifera Oil and sunflower oil becomes Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil.
Some ingredients nourish or condition. Some cleanse. Some create lather. Some balance pH. And some simply keep your product blended, stable and protected from bacteria.