Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the foundation of Slick Drops. Sourced from the leaves of the aloe plant, it’s naturally rich in water, polysaccharides, vitamins, and amino acids, making it a favorite for lightweight hydration.
Why we use it: We chose aloe as the base of our formula to provide hydration while helping the styling ingredients glide smoothly through the hair.
What to know: Aloe helps hydrate the hair without leaving it feeling greasy, but it’s most effective when paired with conditioning ingredients that lock in softness and shine.
Linum Usitatissimum (Flax) Seed Extract is the botanical ingredient behind the natural flaxseed gel used in Slick Drops. Flaxseed gel is created by extracting the naturally occurring polysaccharides from flax seeds, resulting in a lightweight gel that provides flexible hold and smooths the hair without stiffness.
Why we use it: We chose flaxseed gel to help tame flyaways, keep sleek styles in place, and create flexible hold while maintaining a soft, touchable finish.
What to know: Unlike many traditional styling gels, flaxseed gel provides hold through naturally occurring plant polysaccharides rather than high levels of synthetic film-formers or drying alcohols. You may notice a light cast while the product dries, but it easily softens with a quick brush, comb, or tousle.
Hydroxyethylcellulose is a plant-derived ingredient made from cellulose, a natural fiber found in wood pulp and cotton. It forms a lightweight gel that gives Slick Drops its smooth texture and flexible hold.
Why we use it: We use Hydroxyethylcellulose to create a silky, easy-to-apply gel that helps tame flyaways and keep sleek styles in place without stiffness or stickiness.
What to know: Hydroxyethylcellulose creates the elegant gel texture of Slick Drops, but it isn’t responsible for the hold on its own. Instead, it works alongside our flaxseed gel to provide a flexible finish that feels soft, touchable, and easy to brush through.
C13-15 Alkane is a lightweight emollient, commonly known as Hemisqualane, derived from sustainably sourced sugarcane. It’s often used as a plant-based alternative to silicones.
Why we use it: We chose Hemisqualane to help smooth frizz, enhance shine, and leave hair feeling silky without adding heaviness.
What to know: Although it’s often compared to silicone, Hemisqualane has a much lighter feel and won’t leave behind the heavy coating that some traditional smoothing products can.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba shrub, a plant native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its composition closely resembles the natural oils produced by the scalp.
Why we use it: We include jojoba oil to soften the hair, tame frizz, and add healthy-looking shine without making styles feel oily.
What to know: Despite being called an oil, jojoba is technically a liquid wax ester. Its lightweight texture makes it a favorite for hair products that need nourishment without buildup.
Propanediol is a plant-derived humectant most commonly made from sustainably sourced corn sugar. It helps attract moisture while improving the texture and feel of cosmetic formulas.
Why we use it: It helps keep Slick Drops lightweight, improves spreadability, and supports hydration.
What to know: Propanediol is widely used as a naturally derived alternative to petroleum-based glycols and is generally well tolerated by most skin and hair types.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is a naturally occurring antioxidant most commonly sourced from vegetable oils such as sunflower or soybean. In cosmetic formulations, it’s valued for helping protect ingredients from oxidation and maintaining product quality over time.
Why we use it: We include Vitamin E to help support the stability and freshness of Slick Drops throughout its shelf life.
What to know: Vitamin E is often associated with hair nourishment, but in this formula its primary role is to help protect the product itself from oxidation rather than serve as a conditioning ingredient.
Phenoxyethanol is a widely used cosmetic preservative that helps protect water-based products from bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Why we use it: We use Phenoxyethanol to help keep Slick Drops safe and stable from the first use to the last.
What to know: Because Slick Drops contains water-based ingredients, an effective preservative system is essential. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most thoroughly studied preservatives used in modern cosmetics and is considered safe when used within established regulatory limits.
Caprylyl Glycol is a multifunctional ingredient derived from plant-based fatty acids. It supports the preservative system while also contributing to the feel of the formula.
Why we use it: We use Caprylyl Glycol to boost the effectiveness of our preservative system and help Slick Drops maintain its smooth, lightweight finish.
What to know: Although it has moisturizing properties, its primary purpose in this formula is to support preservation and overall product stability.
Sorbic Acid is a preservative originally discovered in the berries of the rowan tree, though cosmetic-grade Sorbic Acid is now manufactured for consistency and purity.
Why we use it: We use Sorbic Acid as part of our preservative system to help protect the formula from yeast and mold throughout its intended shelf life.
What to know: No single preservative protects against every type of microorganism. Sorbic Acid works alongside other preservatives to create a more complete preservation system.
Fragrance (Parfum) is what gives Slick Drops its signature scent. It’s created by blending many individual aroma ingredients into one finished fragrance designed specifically for cosmetic use.
Why we use it: We wanted Slick Drops to make styling feel like a small everyday luxury, leaving behind a soft, beautiful scent while you wear your hair.
What to know: Fragrance formulas are proprietary, which means the exact blend isn’t publicly shared—even with us. Instead, we receive detailed safety documentation from our supplier, including IFRA compliance and allergen information, so we can make informed decisions before bringing a fragrance into a Houses of Eden product. We keep this documentation on file and are happy to share it with anyone who’d like to learn more.
