What it is
In the register’s words: “Chitin, deacylated.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CHITOSAN
- CAS number
- 9012-76-4
- EC number
- -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Chitosan in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Hair fixing
-
Holds a style in place. Gels, foams and creams that promise hold list these near the top.
Register definition: “Permitting physical control of hair style.”
- Film forming
-
Leaves a thin, continuous film on the hair as it dries. Polymers in gels and foams carry it; the film is what feels like a cast.
Register definition: “Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 34th of 39 names
- Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask Deep conditioner 19th of 50 names
- Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 18th of 36 names
- Kristin Ess Sea Salt Air Dry Mousse Styler 30th of 47 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other hair fixing ingredients on these labels
- PVP 14 labels
- VP/VA Copolymer 11 labels
- Polyquaternium-69 5 labels
- Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer 2 labels
- Sodium Polyacrylate 2 labels
- Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.