Ingredients

NOTHING TO HIDE

Every ingredient. Every function. Every reason we chose it.

Here's exactly what's inside every LUA product — and what we refuse to put inside.

Read the labels. Then read ours.

Most haircare brands hide behind "proprietary blends," "miracle ingredients," and INCI lists most customers can't decode. We do the opposite. Every ingredient in our formulas serves a specific function. Every function exists because Egyptian hair, in Egyptian water, in Egyptian heat, needs it. Here's everything that's in our products, organized by what each ingredient actually does — followed by everything we refuse to use, and why.

What's inside. Organized by what it does.

WHAT REMOVES

Hard water leaves calcium and magnesium deposits on every strand. Most shampoos can't remove them — they just add buildup on top. We use chelating agents that bind to minerals and rinse them away, plus surfactants designed to clean effectively in 300+ ppm water.

INCI: Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA

What it does: Binds to calcium and magnesium ions in hard water and removes them from your hair and scalp during washing.

Why we chose it: Without a chelating agent, no shampoo performs properly in mineral-heavy water. EDTA is the most effective and well-studied chelator available. It's the ingredient most haircare brands skip — which is why their products stop working after a month in Cairo.

Used in: Daily Repair Shampoo

INCI: Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate

What it does: A coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses hair and scalp without stripping natural oils.

Why we chose it: Unlike sulfates (SLS, SLES), this surfactant performs effectively in hard water. It produces a rich lather, cleans thoroughly, and doesn't disrupt your scalp's natural acid mantle. Gentler on color-treated hair than traditional sulfates.

Used in: Daily Repair Shampoo

INCI: Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

What it does: A mild co-surfactant that boosts cleansing performance and lather in hard water.

Why we chose it: Hard water reduces foam in most cleansers. This coconut-derived ingredient stabilizes lather and improves the cleaning efficiency of our primary surfactant in mineral-heavy water.

Used in: Daily Repair Shampoo

WHAT REPAIRS

Hard water minerals create gaps and damage in the hair shaft. Heat styling and chemical treatments make it worse. Moisture alone can't fix structural damage — only proteins and peptides can rebuild what's broken. These ingredients work at the cortex level to repair from within.

INCI: Hydrolyzed Keratin

Hydrolyzed Keratin

What it does: Fills structural gaps in the hair shaft caused by mineral buildup, heat damage, and chemical processing.

Why we chose it: We use low molecular weight hydrolyzed keratin specifically because it's small enough to penetrate the cortex. Most cheaper keratin treatments coat the surface and wash out. Ours rebuilds hair from within.

Used in: Daily Repair Shampoo, Leave-In Mist, Hair Mask

INCI: Hydrolyzed Silk

Hydrolyzed Silk

What it does: Restores elasticity and tensile strength to damaged hair. Prevents breakage during daily styling and detangling.

Why we chose it: Silk peptides mimic hair's natural protein structure. They fill damage at a molecular level that keratin alone can't reach, particularly for chemically processed or bleached hair.

Used in: Intensive Repair Hair Mask

INCI: Biotin

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

What it does: Strengthens hair's keratin infrastructure and reduces breakage from daily handling.

Why we chose it: Topical biotin supports the existing protein structure in hair. Combined with our other repair ingredients, it improves the overall durability of damaged strands.

Used in: Daily Repair Conditioner

INCI: Panthenol

Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)

What it does: Penetrates the hair shaft to add moisture and flexibility from within. Reduces brittleness from mineral damage.

Why we chose it: Panthenol is one of the few ingredients that genuinely penetrates the cortex (not just coats the surface). It draws moisture into damaged hair and improves elasticity over time with consistent use.

Used in: All four LUA products

WHAT CONDITIONS

Most conditioners use silicones to create instant softness — but silicones trap mineral buildup and make hard water damage worse over time. We use plant-derived conditioning agents and lightweight oils that penetrate the hair shaft instead of coating it. The result: softness that builds with every wash instead of disappearing.

INCI: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Argan Oil

What it does: Repairs damaged cuticles and restores shine. Rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids that hair loses in hard water.

Why we chose it: Argan oil penetrates the hair shaft instead of sitting on top. It's the most effective single oil for repairing hair damaged by mineral exposure — and it's non-comedogenic, so it works on the scalp without causing buildup.

Used in: All four LUA products

INCI: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Jojoba Oil

What it does: Restores elasticity and tensile strength to damaged hair. Prevents breakage during daily styling and detangling.

Why we chose it: Silk peptides mimic hair's natural protein structure. They fill damage at a molecular level that keratin alone can't reach, particularly for chemically processed or bleached hair.

Used in: Intensive Repair Hair Mask

INCI: Biotin

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

What it does: Mimics hair's natural sebum to strengthen weak strands and add lightweight moisture.

Why we chose it: Jojoba's molecular structure is almost identical to the oils your scalp produces naturally. This makes it uniquely effective at restoring the lipid balance hard water strips away.

Used in: Daily Repair Conditioner

INCI: Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

What it does: A plant-derived conditioning agent that detangles and smooths hair effectively in hard water.

Why we chose it: This is the conditioning agent most brands skip because it's expensive. Unlike cheaper alternatives, it works in mineral-heavy water without leaving residue. Gentle enough for daily use, effective enough for damaged hair.

Used in: Daily Repair Conditioner, Hair Mask

INCI: Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl Alcohol

What it does: A fatty alcohol (not drying) that provides slip and detangling without silicone buildup.

Why we chose it: Despite the name, fatty alcohols are conditioning agents — not drying solvents. Cetearyl alcohol creates the smooth, detangled feel customers expect from silicones, without the long-term buildup problem.

Used in: Daily Repair Conditioner, Hair Mask

INCI: Glycerin

Glycerin

What it does: Draws moisture from the air into the hair shaft. Maintains hydration in dry Egyptian climate.

Why we chose it: A humectant that pulls water into hair from the surrounding environment. Particularly effective in humid Cairo conditions, but stable enough to perform in dry winter months too.

Used in: Daily Repair Shampoo, Daily Repair Conditioner

INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

Shea Butter

What it does: Provides deep moisture for chemically processed and severely damaged hair.

Why we chose it: We use shea butter only in our Hair Mask, where intensive moisture is needed. Rich in stearic and oleic acids, it penetrates the hair shaft without weighing down regular daily use.

Used in: Intensive Repair Hair Mask

WHAT PROTECTS

Egyptian hair faces 40°C heat, intense UV exposure, and styling tools that reach 230°C. These protective ingredients defend against oxidative stress, thermal damage, and humidity fluctuations. Most formulas oxidize or evaporate in these conditions — these are heat-stable enough to perform when it matters.

INCI: Tocopherol

Vitamin E

What it does: Antioxidant protection against UV damage and oxidative stress from heat exposure.

Why we chose it: Egyptian sun and heat styling create free radical damage that accelerates hair aging. Vitamin E neutralizes those free radicals before they break down the hair's protein structure.

Used in: Daily Repair Conditioner, Leave-In Mist, Hair Mask

INCI: Cyclomethicone

Cyclomethicone

What it does: A volatile, heat-stable carrier that delivers actives to the hair before evaporating.

Why we chose it: We use this single silicone only in the Leave-In Mist for one reason: heat protection. It evaporates after delivering the formula's actives, leaving zero buildup or weight. The only silicone in our entire product line, and only where it provides genuine functional value.

Used in: Daily Leave-In Conditioning Mist

INCI: Biotin

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

What it does: Mimics hair's natural sebum to strengthen weak strands and add lightweight moisture.

Why we chose it: Jojoba's molecular structure is almost identical to the oils your scalp produces naturally. This makes it uniquely effective at restoring the lipid balance hard water strips away.

Used in: Daily Repair Conditioner

INCI: Phenyl Trimethicone

Phenyl Trimethicone

What it does: Adds shine and slip without the heavy coating of dimethicone.

Why we chose it: Used only in our Leave-In Mist for heat styling protection up to 230°C. Lighter molecular weight than traditional silicones, so it doesn't accumulate over time.

Used in: Daily Leave-In Conditioning Mist

WHAT BALANCES

Your hair's natural pH sits between 4.5 and 5.5. Most shampoos don't match it. We pH-balance every product to 5.5 because a matched pH keeps the cuticle sealed, locks in moisture, and makes every product you use after it work better. These ingredients maintain that balance and keep the formula stable.

INCI: Citric Acid

Citric Acid

What it does: Adjusts the formula's pH to 5.5 — the exact pH of healthy hair and scalp.

Why we chose it: Used in small amounts as a pH adjuster. A matched pH closes the hair cuticle after washing, which is what creates the smooth, shiny finish you can see and feel.

Used in: All four LUA products

INCI: Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: A broad-spectrum preservative that keeps the formula stable and safe over its 24-month shelf life.

Why we chose it: We chose phenoxyethanol because it's effective at low concentrations, has decades of safety data, and is approved by every major regulatory body globally. The most studied preservative alternative to parabens.

Used in: All four LUA products

INCI: Ethylhexylglycerin

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: A mild preservation booster that allows us to use less phenoxyethanol.

Why we chose it: Combined with phenoxyethanol, this ingredient provides comprehensive preservation at lower total concentrations. Gentler on sensitive scalps.

Used in: All four LUA products

Now here's what we refuse to use — and why.

WHAT WE WON'T USE

01

SILICONES

What they are: Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Amodimethicone, and most silicone derivatives ending in "-cone" or "-siloxane."

Why most brands use them: Silicones create instant smoothness, shine, and detangling. They're cheap, effective short-term, and easy to formulate with.

Why we won't: In hard water, silicones trap calcium and magnesium deposits underneath the coating. Your hair feels smooth for a day, then progressively worse. After 2-3 weeks, you need a clarifying shampoo to remove the buildup — which strips everything else with it. We use lightweight penetrating oils instead. Slower payoff, but no buildup cycle.

Exception: Cyclomethicone in our Leave-In Mist. It's volatile (evaporates after use), provides heat protection up to 230°C, and leaves no buildup. The only silicone in our product line, and only where it provides genuine functional value.

02

SULFATES

What they are: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and other harsh surfactants used as primary cleansers.

Why most brands use them: Sulfates produce abundant foam, cost very little, and clean aggressively. They're the industry default.

Why we won't: Sulfates fail in hard water. They don't lather properly, they leave residue, and they strip your scalp's natural acid mantle. For mineral-heavy markets like Egypt, sulfates create more problems than they solve. We use coconut-derived surfactants that clean effectively in 300+ ppm water without disruption.

03

PARABENS

What they are: Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, and related preservatives.

Why most brands use them: Parabens are cheap, effective preservatives that have been in cosmetics for decades.

Why we won't: Parabens have been associated with endocrine disruption in research studies. The EU has restricted several parabens, and broader regulatory bodies are scrutinizing them. We chose phenoxyethanol instead — equally effective, no associated concerns, decades of safety data.

04

PHTHALATES

What they are: DBP, DEHP, DEP — plasticizers used to extend fragrance and improve formula stability.

Why most brands use them: Phthalates make fragrances last longer and help formulas hold together. Cheap and effective.

Why we won't: Phthalates are endocrine disruptors regulated globally. The EU has banned most cosmetic phthalates. We don't use them anywhere — including in our fragrances, which use phthalate-free aromatic compounds.

05

GREENWASHING TERMS

What they are: "Natural," "organic," "clean," "chemical-free," "toxin-free," and similar unregulated marketing terms.

Why most brands use them: These words have positive associations with consumers but no legal definitions in cosmetics regulation. They sell products without committing to anything specific.

Why we won't: We'd rather show you the INCI list and explain what every ingredient does than hide behind feel-good language. "Natural" doesn't mean safe. "Chemical-free" isn't possible (water is a chemical). When we use specific terms like "plant-derived" or "coconut-derived," we mean exactly that — and we'll show you the source.

The complete list. Nothing hidden.

DAILY REPAIR SHAMPOO

Aqua, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid.

Get Daily Repair Shampoo

DAILY REPAIR CONDITIONER

Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Panthenol, Biotin, Tocopherol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid.

Get Daily Repair Conditioner

Duo Essential System

Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Glycerin, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), m

Get Duo Repair System

Quality you can trace.

Every ingredient in LUA products meets cosmetic-grade quality standards and is approved for use by the Egyptian Drug Authority. We source from established suppliers with verified quality certifications — most are based in the EU, Switzerland, or established Egyptian distributors with international audit trails.

Our active ingredients (Argan Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Silk Peptides, Vitamin E) come from suppliers with cosmetic-grade certifications and complete chain-of-custody documentation. We don't use bulk commodity-grade raw materials. The cost difference shows up in our pricing — and in how our products perform.

All formulations are manufactured in Egypt to ISO-certified standards, with batch testing for stability, pH, and microbial safety before any product ships.

WHAT PROTECTS

DAILY REPAIR SHAMPOO

DAILY REPAIR CONDITIONER

Duo Essential System

Small-Batch Formulas

Built for Egyptian Water

Cash on Delivery

Real Answers

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