Formula · 6.9

Brand · 6.7

Kapous Professional · octylacrylamide copolymer · Germany

Kapous Gel Strong

Kapous Gel Strong
6.9

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.4Little evidence of effect
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “styling hold” — 100 %; a formula with one main purpose
  • Cleansing base0.7Mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 30 % of SLS
  • Tolerance0.8Debatable ingredient groups: formaldehyde releasers (skin test positive in 8 of 100 tested), parabens (skin test positive in 1 of 100 tested), fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • colour-treated hair
  • dry hairthe polymer film itself is not drying, but styling products are almost always alcohol-based, and alcohol is drying
  • sensitive skinrare contact allergy to impurities
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: A style is held by a polymer film dried onto the hair: the more of it, the stronger the hold and the more noticeable the stiffness. A styling product does not treat or nourish — its job ends at the next wash.
When:
  • leave-on
on dry or towel-dried hair before styling; wash out with shampoo
When to expect an effect: hold — as soon as the product dries
What is normal: with too much product the hair sticks together and white flakes can appear when combing

Ingredients — 11 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 11 ingredients: film-forming styling polymers. A style is held by a polymer film dried onto the hair: the more of it, the stronger the hold and the more noticeable the stiffness. A styling product does not treat or nourish — its job ends at the next wash.

Strengths: completeness for the purpose

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: little evidence of effect; cleansing base: mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: formaldehyde releasers, parabens, fragrance and its allergens

Questions: fragrance and its allergens: fragrance — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works; formaldehyde releasers: diazolidinyl urea — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy; parabens: methylparaben, propylparaben

  • Aqua base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: film-forming polymer
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine base: coating, fillers · a mild amphoteric surfactant: it builds dense foam and softens the harsh sulfates next to it. It occasionally causes contact allergy, and the culprit is a manufacturing impurity rather than the ingredient itself.
  • Aminomethyl Propanol base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Parfum questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Propylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Diazolidinyl Urea questions · preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • Methylparaben questions · preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • Propylparaben questions · preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • Polysorbate 20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Peg-25 Paba base: coating, fillers · coating glazing agent

Kapous Gel Strong is a product whose active ingredient is film-forming styling polymers. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. There is little evidence of effect: the polymer dries on the hair as a film and glues the strands to each other — hence the hold. It really can keep a style in humid air: in laboratory measurements a curl keeps 60–70 % of its shape at 85 % relative humidity. But these are measurements on tresses and data from the polymer makers, not trials in people, so the level of evidence is low. The formula has 11 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Parfum (the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works); Diazolidinyl Urea (preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy); Methylparaben, Propylparaben. A style is held by a polymer film dried onto the hair: the more of it, the stronger the hold and the more noticeable the stiffness. A styling product does not treat or nourish — its job ends at the next wash. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, colour-treated hair. dry hair, sensitive skin, atopic skin — ask a doctor. prone to contact allergy, fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: on dry or towel-dried hair before styling; wash out with shampoo. When to expect an effect: hold — as soon as the product dries. Label score — 6.9 out of 10 (little evidence of effect; mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 30 % of sls; debatable ingredient groups: formaldehyde releasers (skin test positive in 8 of 100 tested), parabens (skin test positive in 1 of 100 tested), fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • prone to contact allergya frequent allergen
  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: itching and scalp redness — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Is this product right for your hair?

The score describes the formula, not your hair: a sulfate shampoo suits an oily scalp and fails a dry, sensitive one. Tell us about your hair, scalp and the problem — shedding, dandruff, oiliness, dryness — and we will build a routine and say whether this product suits you.

Hair care matchDecode my tests

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