Ingredient Glossary

The Ingredient Files

Every active. Every plant. Every choice.

Every ingredient with a functional role in the Oli G system, organized by category. INCI names where they exist; common names where they’re more useful. Sourced directly from formulation lab documentation.

See why the dual peptide system is different →

Featured Ingredient Files
Peptide

Oligopeptides

The molecule we named ourselves after. Why short peptides repair where larger ones can’t.

Read the file →
Peptide

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1

A biotin-conjugated tripeptide. Found in four of seven products. The repeat-deposit workhorse.

Read the file →
Peptide

SH-Oligopeptide-78

A sulfhydryl-stabilized peptide. Binds at damaged cysteine sites in the cortex.

Read the file →
Amino Acids

10-Amino-Acid Complex

Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine and five more. The hydration + resilience layer.

Read the file →
Protein

Silicon-Bonded Plant Protein

Plant protein anchored to the cuticle by silicon chemistry. Why our protein doesn’t rinse off.

Read the file →
pH System

The pH Cycle

Why every Oli G formula is calibrated to a specific pH window — and how open and close sequencing makes the ingredients work.

Read the pH Cycle →
Active Repair

Peptides

Oligopeptides

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1. A tripeptide conjugated to biotin. Small enough to enter the cortex; reinforces keratin structure.

Found in: Atomic Leave-In · AquaLush Mask · Chemical Addiction · Renew Oil

Read the full ingredient file →

SH-Oligopeptide-78. Sulfhydryl-stabilized oligopeptide. The sulfhydryl group binds at damaged cysteine sites in the cortex — strongest on chemically processed hair.

Found in: Atomic Leave-In (the only product in the system where this peptide appears)

Read the full ingredient file →

Atomic Hair Repair Leave-In carries both peptides — SH-Oligopeptide-78 and Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 — alongside the silicon-bonded plant protein, the 10-amino-acid complex, Sodium PCA, and Sodium Lactate. No other product in the system concentrates this many key actives in a single formula. Shop Atomic →

Atomic is formulated at pH 7.0–8.0 so the cuticle opens and accepts the peptides; Chemical Addiction at pH 3.5–4.6 closes it afterward. The pH Cycle →

Most peptide haircare brands use a single peptide. Oli G uses two, targeting different damage mechanisms. See how the system compares →

Most relevant for chemically processed hair: Post-Bleach Recovery → · Relaxed Hair → · Keratin-Treated →

Structural Support

Proteins

Plant Proteins

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol. Plant protein with a silicon-based anchor. Deposits at the cuticle and stays — unlike free hydrolyzed protein, which rinses.

Found in: Atomic Leave-In

Read the full ingredient file →

Hydrolyzed Quinoa. Penetrating plant protein. Small molecular weight allows partial entry into the cortex.

Found in: Total Refresh Shampoo

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Soy Protein. Cationic soy protein. Deposits at damage sites (which are negatively charged) and provides conditioning.

Found in: Total Refresh Shampoo · Total Refresh Conditioner

Animal-Derived Protein (One Product Only)

Hydrolyzed Keratin. Hydrolyzed keratin protein. Used weekly when the cuticle is open at AquaLush’s alkaline pH for a high-affinity intensive flood.

Found in: AquaLush Mask

Every protein in the Oli G system is INCI-listed and sourced from formulation lab documentation. See how ingredient transparency compares to the category default →

Moisture + Resilience

Amino Acids & Humectants

The 10-amino-acid complex. Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine. Together replicate more of the natural amino acid profile of healthy hair.

Found in: Atomic Leave-In · AquaLush Mask

Read the full ingredient file →

Aspartic Acid. Acidic amino acid. Eleventh member of the amino acid bed in the weekly mask.

Found in: AquaLush Mask

Silk Amino Acids. Mixed amino acids derived from silk. Hygroscopic, smoothing.

Found in: AquaLush Mask

Sodium PCA. Sodium Pyrrolidone Carboxylate. A primary component of the Natural Moisturizing Factor; powerful water binder.

Found in: Atomic Leave-In · AquaLush Mask

Sodium Lactate. Sodium salt of lactic acid. Humectant; pH adjuster.

Found in: Atomic Leave-In

Panthenol (Vitamin B5). Pro-vitamin B5. Penetrates the hair fiber and converts to pantothenic acid; supports moisture and elasticity.

Found in: Chemical Addiction

Unlike formulas that list “amino acids” without naming them, every member of the Oli G complex is on the INCI label — auditable from the bottle. See the full product-by-product breakdown →

What We Leave Out

What we leave out, and why

  • Sulfates in Total Refresh — SLS and SLES are absent from the daily shampoo because harsh sulfates disrupt the pH window that makes conditioner effective and accelerate cuticle wear on color-treated hair. Pure Detox uses SLES intentionally — the weekly clarifier requires it for mineral chelation. The two products serve different moments.
  • Parabens — none of the seven products contain parabens. The system uses alternative preservation systems across the full line.
  • Mineral oil — mineral oil coats the hair surface without entering the fiber. The botanical lipid layer in Renew and AquaLush is designed to replace stripped lipids, not coat the outside. Different mechanism, different result.
  • Formaldehyde donors — not used. This includes DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, and Quaternium-15. No product in the system uses a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
  • Synthetic dyes — none. Products are uncolored. What you see in the bottles is the formula itself.

The full INCI ingredient list for every product is on the packaging and on each product page.

Slip + Softness

Conditioning Agents

Behentrimonium Methosulfate. One of the gentlest and most premium cationic conditioners available in professional haircare. Strong affinity for damaged hair sites.

Found in: Total Refresh Conditioner

The choice of Behentrimonium Methosulfate over harsher cationic conditioners is part of what separates Oli G’s conditioning approach from the category default. See the full comparison →

Polyquaternium-7. Conditioning polymer that buffers the cleanse.

Found in: Total Refresh Shampoo

Polyquaternium-10. Cationic cellulose; provides slip and moisture retention.

Found in: Total Refresh Shampoo

Smoothing

Silicones

Amodimethicone. An amine-functional silicone with high affinity for damaged hair sites — deposits where needed, less where not needed. Color-safe.

Found in: Total Refresh Conditioner · Renew Oil

Dimethiconol. Hydroxyl-terminated silicone; lightweight thermal smoothing during heat styling.

Found in: Chemical Addiction

Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate. Water-dispersible silicone hybrid; doesn’t build up.

Found in: Chemical Addiction

Nourishment

Botanical Oils & Butters

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil). The closest plant analog to scalp sebum. Compatible at scalp and length.

Found in: Renew Oil

Marula Seed Oil (Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil). High oleic acid content; light, non-greasy conditioning.

Found in: Total Refresh Shampoo · Total Refresh Conditioner

Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima Oil). Penetrates the hair shaft; rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E.

Found in: Chemical Addiction · AquaLush Mask

Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil). High-affinity penetrating oil; reduces protein loss during washing.

Found in: Chemical Addiction

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter). Rich emollient; slip and softness.

Found in: Total Refresh Conditioner

Murumuru Seed Butter (Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter). Lauric acid–rich butter; lipid restoration for high-porosity hair.

Found in: AquaLush Mask

Murumuru’s lauric acid content makes it particularly effective for high-porosity and coily textures. Type 4 + Coily routine →

The lipid replacement layer — six botanical oils and butters across the system — is what most bond-repair products skip entirely. See why lipid replacement matters →

Protection

Antioxidants & Skin-Inspired Actives

Tocopherol (Vitamin E). Antioxidant; protects oil and hair lipids from oxidation.

Found in: Renew Oil

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A). Skincare-inspired conditioning support.

Found in: Renew Oil

Apigenin. Plant flavonoid; antioxidant and protective.

Found in: AquaLush Mask

Oleanolic Acid. Plant triterpenoid; supports scalp comfort and hair fiber health.

Found in: AquaLush Mask

Reset

Cleansing Surfactants

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). The primary surfactant in the weekly clarifier; effective at lifting buildup and mineral residue.

Found in: Pure Detox (weekly use only)

Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Amphoteric co-surfactant that buffers the primary surfactant for a gentler cleanse.

Found in: Pure Detox

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate. Milder primary surfactant — not SLS or SLES. Color-friendly for daily use.

Found in: Total Refresh Shampoo

Disodium EDTA. The chelating agent that distinguishes a true clarifier from a regular shampoo. Binds mineral deposits from hard water and lifts them away.

Found in: Pure Detox

If you’re on hard water, Disodium EDTA is the reason Pure Detox works where a regular clarifier won’t. Hard Water routine →

Calibration

pH Adjusters

Citric Acid. Used across the system as a pH adjuster — particularly to achieve the acidic cuticle-closing pH in Total Refresh Conditioner (pH 3.5–4.5) and Chemical Addiction (pH 3.5–4.6).

Sodium Hydroxide / Triethanolamine. Used as alkaline pH adjusters to achieve the deliberate cuticle-opening pH in Pure Detox (pH 7.0–7.9), Atomic (pH 7.0–8.0), and AquaLush (pH 7.0–8.0).

These adjusters are the mechanism behind the entire system — every formula’s pH is engineered, not incidental. Read the pH Cycle →

The full system, built around these.

Seven products. One pH cycle. Each ingredient with a documented role — and a place in the routine.

Shop the system →Read the science →Build your routine →