Phthalates
Often hidden under “fragrance” on labels. Linked to hormone disruption and banned in cosmetics in the EU and other countries.

Parabens
Preservatives like methylparaben and propylparaben that can mimic estrogen in the body.
Banned in the EU due to potential for hormone disruption.

Phenoxyethanol
A common “clean” preservative still used in many mainstream brands. Linked to irritation—especially in leave-on products.

PEGs (like PEG-40)
Synthetic compounds that can be contaminated with harmful byproducts like 1,4-dioxane.

Silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane)
Create a temporary smooth feel but trap buildup—leading to dull, heavy hair over time.

Synthetic Fragrance
The word "fragrance" on ingredient labels can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including allergens and endocrine disruptors.

Artificial Dyes (FD&C and D&C colors)
Petroleum-derived colorants added purely for aesthetics. Linked to scalp irritation and sensitivity.

You won’t find any of these in MAEN.

Most “clean” hair brands aren’t as clean—or as effective—as they claim.

At MAEN, we do things differently:

• We build our formulas from scratch with expert chemists—no white-labeled shortcuts.
• Every ingredient must meet our internal clean standard for safety, performance, and synergy.
• We never use endocrine disruptors, synthetic fragrance, or mystery preservatives.
• And unlike brands that hide behind “all-natural” claims, we believe in full transparency—we tell you exactly what’s in our products, what each ingredient does, and why it’s there.

It’s not just about what we leave out.
It’s about what we put in—and why it works.

No—but for good reason.

Over 90% of our ingredients are naturally derived. We use safe, clean synthetics only when they make the formula significantly better—and even then, they have to meet the MAEN Standard for safety, performance, and synergy.

We don’t chase the “all-natural” label, because that claim is often misleading. We care more about being honest, effective, and truly clean—and that means telling you exactly what’s in every formula, and why it’s there.

Nope. Our formulas are 100% silicone-free and that’s on purpose.

Silicones (like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane) coat the hair to fake softness and shine. But over time, they trap buildup, block moisture, and require harsh shampoos to wash out.

We avoid them in every MAEN product—because real hair health starts with clean, rinseable ingredients that actually nourish, not just mask.

Yes — and that's a good thing.

Any water-based product needs a preservative to stay safe and stable. But not all preservatives are created equal.

Many conventional products still use parabens or phenoxyethanol—which have been linked to irritation and potential hormonal disruption in several studies.

At MAEN, we choose clean, gentle preservatives that meet our internal safety and performance standards:

• Caprylyl Glycol – a coconut-derived humectant with antimicrobial benefits
• Caprylhydroxamic Acid – a gentle, amino acid–based preservative
• Propanediol – a corn sugar–derived stabilizer that also adds moisture

You won’t find parabens, phenoxyethanol, or outdated preservatives here—just formulas that stay fresh without compromising standards.

MAEN is for anyone with hair—and a reason to style it. Clean enough for kids, strong enough for teens, and secretly stolen by moms everywhere.

Each MAEN product is designed to be easy, intuitive, and mess-free—but for styling tips and step-by-step how-tos, check out the product pages or visit @maenhair on Instagram.