Tress Code | Leave-In Conditioner
Hello Everyone,
I hope all is well! On today’s episode of the Tress Code series we will be discussing the only glass-packaged, low-tox leave-in conditioner worth knowing about. When I started my search for a truly clean leave-in conditioner, I had two non-negotiable rules:
Sustainable packaging — glass or aluminum only.
Low hazard ingredients — an Environmental Working Group (EWG) score of 1 or 2.
After weeks of digging through product listings, scanning ingredient labels, and running formulas through EWG’s Build Your Own Report tool, my list of contenders narrowed to just one product that passed every test: LoveofEarth Co. Leave-In Conditioner.
Why Packaging Matters
Beauty products may be small, but their packaging footprint is huge.
Plastic bottles not only clog landfills and pollute oceans, but research shows that microplastics can actually leach into the products themselves—especially with exposure to heat, sunlight, and repeated handling. That means the very formula you put on your hair could contain microscopic plastic particles before it even leaves the bottle.
The Silent Threat of Microplastics
Studies on packaging have confirmed that secondary microplastics can shed from plastic containers into their contents (ScienceDirect). While this is often discussed in relation to food, the same applies to personal care products. These microplastics and nanoplastics can enter the body through skin contact—particularly via pores, hair follicles, or when the skin barrier is compromised—leading to potential systemic exposure (Wikipedia).
Beauty industry sources have also pointed out that “microplastics leach from beauty packaging into the product itself, just like they do with food packaging” (Zerra & Co). Avoiding plastic packaging in your hair care products reduces the risk of this invisible contamination.
Glass, on the other hand, is chemically inert. It doesn’t shed microplastics, alter the product’s integrity, or leach contaminants into your hair care. It’s also endlessly recyclable and can be refilled indefinitely without degrading in quality. By choosing glass-packaged hair care, you’re not just treating your hair—you’re protecting your health and the planet.
LoveofEarth Co. ships their leave-in in a sturdy, refillable glass pump bottle, with refill pouches available. This lets you invest in the initial bottle once and reduce waste with each top-up.
LoveofEarth Co.
LoveofEarth Co. ships their leave-in in a sturdy, refillable glass pump bottle, with refill pouches available. This lets you invest in the initial bottle once and reduce waste with each top-up.
Full ingredient list:
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Avocado Oil, Daikon Seed Extract, Glycerin*, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Provitamin B5 (DL-Panthenol), Pomegranate Fruit Juice*, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Guar Gum, Hydrolyzed Quinoa. *Organic ingredients
Ingredient Highlights:
Avocado Oil — deeply nourishing, rich in fatty acids for softness and shine.
Daikon Seed Extract — a lightweight silicone alternative for slip and smoothness.
Pomegranate Fruit Juice — antioxidant-rich for scalp and hair health.
Hydrolyzed Quinoa — strengthens and protects strands.
Provitamin B5 — boosts moisture retention and manageability.
The EWG Breakdown
I didn’t just trust the marketing. I ran the full ingredient list through EWG’s Build Your Own Report tool and cross-checked each item individually in the database.
Result:
Overall Score: 2 (low hazard)
Individual Ingredients: Every component scored between 1–2, with no high-hazard preservatives, silicones, or synthetic fragrances.
This means it’s not only safe for your hair, but also among the cleanest leave-ins on the market.
DIY Leave-In Conditioner (By Porosity)
However, this product is not made for all porosities. Therefore, if you’re not ready to commit to a new product just yet—or if you’d like a customizable, low-tox option—you can create your own leave-in conditioner at home. The key is tailoring it to your hair porosity, since porosity determines how your strands absorb and retain moisture.
Base Formula (Universal)
3 tbsp Aloe Vera Juice or Gel (humectant, detangler)
2 tbsp Distilled Water (or rosewater)
1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin (humectant)
Low Porosity Hair
(Tight cuticle, resists moisture, prone to buildup)
Modification: Use the Base Formula only.
Why: Oils tend to sit on the surface of low-porosity hair. Aloe and glycerin hydrate without heaviness.
💡 Tip: Apply to damp or wet hair, ideally with warm water to help absorption.
Medium Porosity Hair
(Balanced absorption and retention)
Modification: Base Formula +w/ 5–10 drops of a lightweight oil.
Good Oils: Jojoba, Argan, or Sweet Almond.
Why: Keeps hydration balanced while smoothing the cuticle with a light seal.
💡 Tip: Works well on damp or wet hair depending on preference.
High Porosity Hair
(Loose cuticle, absorbs quickly but loses moisture fast, often damaged)
Modification: Base Formula + ½–1 tsp of a penetrating or sealing oil.
Good Oils: Avocado, Coconut (penetrating), or Jojoba (sealing).
Optional Boost: Add 2–3 drops of Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5).
Why: Humectants draw in hydration, oil seals the cuticle, and panthenol helps strengthen.
💡 Tip: Best applied to damp hair so moisture can be locked in.
DIY Truths & Safety
Preservation: Store in the refrigerator and discard after 5–7 days. Spoilage = change in smell, color, or texture.
Climate Matters:
Dry climates: reduce glycerin to ¼ tsp or less (to avoid pulling moisture out).
Humid climates: glycerin can help balance excess moisture.
Patch Test: Always test on your inner arm before applying widely to ensure no sensitivities.
Summary:
Low Porosity: Base only (no oil)
Medium Porosity: Base + a few drops of lightweight oil
High Porosity: Base + more oil (+ optional panthenol)
This porosity-based approach ensures your DIY leave-in works with your hair’s biology—straight, wavy, or curly—instead of against it.
Why Others Didn’t Make the Cut
The Crown Affair Leave-In Conditioner
Packaging: Frosty Glass
EWG Score: 4 (moderate hazard) based on these ingredients:
Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Fragrance/Parfum, Citral, Limonene, Linalool.
Key Hazard Ingredients:
Dimethicone — Non-biodegradable silicone that can build up on hair and persist in the environment.
Cetrimonium Chloride — Antistatic and conditioning agent that can cause skin/eye irritation at higher concentrations; harmful to aquatic life if disposed of improperly. Safe in leave-in products at ≤0.25%, but irritation risk increases beyond that.
Behentrimonium Chloride — Conditioning agent that can cause irritation above 0.25% in leave-ins; breaks down slowly in the environment and may contribute to aquatic toxicity.
Fragrance Allergens (Citral, Limonene, Linalool) — Can trigger allergic reactions and increase EWG hazard scores due to sensitization risk.
The Good Fill Leave-In Spray
Packaging: Glass
EWG Score: 4 due to phenoxyethanol, stearalkonium chloride, and PEG-40 castor oil.
RŌZ Milk Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner Hair Serum
Packaging: Glass bottle (not refillable)
EWG Score: 5 (moderate–high hazard)
Key Hazard Ingredients:
Cetrimonium Chloride — Can cause skin and eye irritation at higher concentrations; harmful to aquatic life if disposed improperly. Safe in leave-ins at ≤ 0.25%, but risk rises beyond that.
Fragrance Allergens (Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol) — Known sensitizers that frequently elevate EWG hazard scores due to allergenic potential.
Preservatives/Conditioning Agents — While necessary for product stability, they push the score up, making this formula less low-tox than it appears on the surface.
Despite its chic glass packaging and naturally marketed formula, the overall hazard score lands at a 5, which disqualifies it from my eco + low-tox criteria.
Final Verdict
If you’re serious about combining hair health, sustainability, and ingredient safety, LoveofEarth Co. Leave-In Conditioner is the clear choice based on current research and formulation analysis.
I haven’t personally tested it yet, but after running the full ingredient list through EWG’s scoring tools, verifying its glass packaging, and comparing it to other options, it’s the only leave-in conditioner I’ve found that meets my strict eco + low-tox criteria. I plan to purchase it once I’ve finished my current products, and will update this post with my hands-on experience.
Quick Recap:
✔ Glass, refillable packaging
✔ EWG low hazard score of 2 (verified)
✔ Plant-based, effective formula
✔ Suitable for multiple hair types
Where to Buy: LoveofEarth Co. Website
Update Pending: This is a research-backed recommendation based on ingredient analysis and packaging standards. Performance notes will be added after my first use.
Sources:
ScienceDirect – Secondary microplastics shedding from packaging
Zerra & Co – How microplastics in beauty products affect the body and planet
Help Me Find More Glass or Aluminum Leave-In Conditioners
So far, LoveofEarth Co. is the only leave-in conditioner I’ve found that meets my strict criteria:
Glass or aluminum packaging
EWG hazard score of 1–2
Clean, effective ingredients
If you know of any other leave-in conditioners that fit these standards, I’d love to hear about them! Drop your recommendations in the comments or send me a message so I can investigate and possibly feature them in a future update.
Your suggestions could help others discover safe, sustainable haircare options—and help me expand this list beyond a single standout product.
