Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG’s Food Scores Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Skin Deep®
Find products and ingredients Learn how Skin Deep® works Meet our experts Discover EWG VERIFIED®
GET UPDATES DONATE
Score legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 05

Data Availability:

Limited

Difeel Ultra Growth Leave in Root Stimulator

Difeel Ultra Growth Leave in Root Stimulator

WHERE TO BUY

When you make a purchase through retailer links on our site, we may earn commission through affiliate programs. All affiliate fees EWG receives support our nonprofit mission. Learn more here

CATEGORY

Hair Loss Treatment

BRAND

Difeel

DATA LAST UPDATED

November 2022

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • MODERATE
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • MODERATE
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
NIACINAMIDE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) smoothing, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROXYPROPYL BIS-HYDROXYETHYLDIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
PROPANEDIOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent, viscosity controlling, viscosity decreasing agent
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 06
OCIMUM BASILICUM (SWEET BASIL) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) perfuming, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, masking, moisturising, skin conditioning, smoothing, solvent, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (moderate)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
• Biochemical or cellular level changes (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SORBITOL
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) humectant, plasticiser, skin conditioning, flavoring agent, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - humectant
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
CAFFEINE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) masking, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binding, emulsion stabilising, film forming, stabilising, viscosity controlling, binder, emulsion stabilizer, film former, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
PANTHENOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM PCA
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - humectant
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ALLANTOIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin protecting, soothing, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin protectant
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
LINOLEIC ACID
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, cleansing, emollient, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, surfactant, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;surfactant - cleansing agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of linoleic acid.
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLUTAMIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - humectant
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
PROLINE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
LINOLENIC ACID
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, cleansing, emollient, hair conditioning, perfuming, skin conditioning, surfactant, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;surfactant - cleansing agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of linolenic acid.
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
THREONINE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, hair waving or straightening, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
1,2-HEXANEDIOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ARGININE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, masking, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
BETAINE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - humectant
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (DIOXINS, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS, and LEAD)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, film former, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) perfuming, fragrance ingredient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, surfactant - solubilizing agent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLYCINE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, buffering, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, buffering agent, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent -miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ALANINE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, masking, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROLYZED GLYCINE SOJA (SOY) PROTEIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SERINE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, masking, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
LYSINE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
OCTANOHYDROXAMIC ACID
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antifoaming agent, antimicrobial agent, cosmetic astringent, fragrance ingredient, solvent;viscosity decreasing agent
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
MENTHOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) denaturant, masking, refreshing, soothing, external analgesic, flavoring agent, fragrance ingredient, oral health caredrug
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) chelating, chelating agent
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (ACETIC ACID, NITRILOTRI-, TRISODIUM SALT, MONOHYDRATE, NITRILOTRIACETIC ACID, and SODIUM GLYCOLATE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CITRIC ACID
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) buffering, chelating, masking, chelating agent, fragrance ingredient, ph adjuster
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 08
FRAGRANCE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) deodorant, masking, perfuming
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Endocrine disruption (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
BENZYL BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antimicrobial, masking, solvent, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
BENZYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) masking, preservative, solvent, external analgesic, fragrance ingredient, oral health care drug, solvent;viscosity decreasing agent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

WATER (AQUA), NIACINAMIDE, HYDROXYPROPYL BIS-HYDROXYETHYLDIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PROPANEDIOL, OCIMUM BASILICUM HAIRY ROOT CULTURE EXTRACT, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SORBITOL, CAFFEINE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PANTHENOL, SODIUM PCA, ALLANTOIN, LINOLEIC ACID, GLUTAMIC ACID, PROLINE, LINOLENIC ACID, THREONINE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, ARGININE, BETAINE, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, GLYCINE, ALANINE, HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN, SERINE, LYSINE, CAPRYLHYDROXAMIC ACID, ALCOHOL, MENTHOL, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, CITIRIC ACID, FRAGRANCE, BENZYL BENZOATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL

Product's animal testing policies

Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.


Unknown

Leading international certifiers PETA and Leaping Bunny have no information concerning this company’s use of animal testing.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

More hair-loss treatment

Qilib Minoxidil Topical Solution Usp 2% Hair Regrowth + Revitalization for Women System (2020 formulation)
Qilib
Minoxidil Topical Solution Usp 2% Hair Regrowth +...
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Walgreens Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men Topical Solution, Unscented (2018 formulation)
Walgreens
Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men Topical Solution, Unscented...
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Thick Head Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men
Thick Head
Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Healing-Scents Hair Loss Stimulating Treatment (2019 formulation)
Healing-Scents
Hair Loss Stimulating Treatment (2019 formulation)
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
VIEW ALL hair-loss treatment

More from Difeel

Difeel 100% Pure Essential Oils, Coconut (2019 formulation)
Difeel
100% Pure Essential Oils, Coconut (2019 formulation)
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Difeel 100% Pure Essential Oils, Olive (2019 formulation)
Difeel
100% Pure Essential Oils, Olive (2019 formulation)
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Difeel 100% Pure Natural Oil, Argan (2019 formulation)
Difeel
100% Pure Natural Oil, Argan (2019 formulation)
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Difeel Premium Hair Oil, Peppermint
Difeel
Premium Hair Oil, Peppermint
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
VIEW ALL Difeel
Skindeep Healthy Living App

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP