Formula · 7.4

Brand · 5.9

René Furterer · styling polymers + niacinamide · France

René Furterer Style Strong Hold Styling Gel

René Furterer Style Strong Hold Styling Gel
7.4

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.5Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “styling hold” — 100 %; a broad formula across 5 purposes
  • Tolerance0.8Debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • colour-treated hair
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • children
  • babies
  • dry hairthe polymer film itself is not drying, but styling products are almost always alcohol-based, and alcohol is drying
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
  • dry skinmay dry
Free from:
  • 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.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • 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
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — 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
  • 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; tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks; softness — immediately; barrier — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: with too much product the hair sticks together and white flakes can appear when combing; mild flushing in the first days at high concentration; a light film on the skin

Ingredients — 16 components · 4 work

What works: 4 of 16 ingredients: film-forming styling polymers, niacinamide, panthenol and 1 more. 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: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens

Questions: denatured alcohol — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores; fragrance and its allergens: citral, fragrance, limonene, linalool — 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

  • WATER (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
  • SD ALCOHOL 40-B (ALCOHOL DENAT questions · evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • VP/METHACRYLAMIDE/VINYL IMIDAZOLE COPOLYMER works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: film-forming polymer
  • VP/VA COPOLYMER works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: film-forming polymer
  • PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL base: coating, fillers · coating glazing agent
  • 1,2-HEXANEDIOL base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.
  • CITRAL 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
  • FRAGRANCE (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
  • HYDROXYACETOPHENONE base: coating, fillers · protect the product from bacteria and mould; used within the EU-permitted concentrations
  • LIMONENE 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
  • LINALOOL 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
  • NIACINAMIDE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • PANTHENOL works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL (SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: seed oil
  • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE base: coating, fillers · vitamin E at hundredths of a percent: keeps the oils of the formula (a cream or a capsule fill) from going rancid; at that share it protects the product, it is not vitamin E as an active

René Furterer Style Strong Hold Styling Gel is a product whose active ingredient is film-forming styling polymers + niacinamide (vitamin b3) + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) + jojoba oil. 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: film-forming styling polymers, jojoba oil. The effect is supported by studies: niacinamide (vitamin b3). The effect is moderately supported: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). The formula has 16 ingredients, 4 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: SD ALCOHOL 40-B (ALCOHOL DENAT (evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores); CITRAL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM, LIMONENE, LINALOOL (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). 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 sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, colour-treated hair, pregnancy, oily skin, acne-prone, children, babies. dry hair, sensitive skin, rosacea, atopic skin, dry skin — ask a doctor. 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 — 7.4 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, 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

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: itching and scalp redness — stop; persistent burning — 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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