Getting you a comprehensive analysis of the product
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
Getting you a comprehensive analysis of the product
Reading every ingredient in the formula…
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Minimalist's Maleic Bond Repair Shampoo offers a transparent, sulfate-free formula with some in-vitro evidence for its bond-repair claims, but consumers should manage expectations regarding the depth of repair from a rinse-off product with several actives at low concentrations.
₹198 • Analysed 22 October 2026
This shampoo is positioned for damaged hair, a common concern in India due to environmental factors like high UV and pollution, as well as chemical treatments. The sulfate-free formulation is a plus for Indian consumers concerned about harsh cleansing and hard water effects. While the 'bond repair' claims are ambitious for a rinse-off product, the brand's disclosure of in-vitro studies and active percentages (for the complex) is a good step towards transparency in the Indian market. The price point is competitive for an active-focused shampoo.
Independent and free. The Clean Sheet takes no money from brands to analyse, rank, or approve a product. This is a web evidence analysis, not a Clean Sheet certification. We checked the ingredient list, publicly available test reports, marketing claims, and formula logic using only public information available at the time of analysis.
Supported by in-vitro studies showing increased tensile strength and reduced combing force. However, 'repairs' for a rinse-off product is ambitious.
Supported by in-vitro studies showing a 13.1% increase in tensile strength.
Supported by in-vitro studies showing reduction in combing force (64.3% dry, 59.4% wet), which implies less breakage.
Ingredients like Ceramide, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, and Arginine are known for hydration and nourishment, but their position below the 1% line in a rinse-off product makes 'from within' ambitious.
INCI list confirms absence of sulfates (e.g., Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate). Uses mild surfactants.
Supported by in-vitro studies on hair tresses. While 'scientifically proven' is strong, the evidence is not from human clinical trials.
Quantified results from in-vitro studies (13.1% increase in tensile strength, 64.3% reduction in dry combing force, 59.4% reduction in wet combing force) provide support.
Supported by the mild, sulfate-free surfactant system in the INCI.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against the product page (beminimalist.co).
Screened against the ingredient database (26 of 56 ingredients matched); no cosmetics-prohibited ingredient found.
No ingredient with a recognised endocrine-activity concern found in the database.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
No EU-declarable or database-flagged allergen found in the list.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Uses milder (non-sulphate) surfactants.
Brand states a patch test (HRIPT) was performed.
Brand claims dermatologist testing (claim stated; underlying report not seen).
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Active percentages are disclosed for the hero ingredient(s).
Any proprietary 'complex' is broken down into its actual ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
| Ingredient |
|---|
Water/Aqua |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate |
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate |
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate |
Glycerin |
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate |
Dimethiconol |
Cocamidopropyl Betaine |
Polyquaternium-7 |
Glycol Distearate |
Propylene Glycol |
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate |
Betaine |
Maleic Acid |
Amodimethicone |
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer |
Decyl Glucoside |
Acrylates Crosspolymer |
Coconut Acid |
Phenoxyethanol |
Sodium PCA |
Sodium Isethionate |
Transglutaminase |
Tocopheryl Acetate |
PEG-45M |
Polyquaternium-10 |
TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate |
Ceramide AP |
Panthenol |
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose |
PPG-5-Ceteth-20 |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate |
Sodium Hydroxide |
C12-13 Alketh-23 |
C12-13 Alketh-3 |
Trideceth-12 |
Cysteine |
Tyrosine |
Glycine |
Glutamic Acid |
Aspartic Acid |
Threonine |
Valine |
Histidine |
Phenylalanine |
Methionine |
Isoleucine |
Lysine |
Leucine |
Arginine |
Proline |
Alanine |
C11-15 Alketh-7 |
Laureth-9 |
Serine |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance assessment.
Supported by in-vitro studies showing increased tensile strength and reduced combing force. However, 'repairs' for a rinse-off product is ambitious.
Evidence visible
Supported by in-vitro studies showing a 13.1% increase in tensile strength.
Evidence visible
Supported by in-vitro studies showing reduction in combing force (64.3% dry, 59.4% wet), which implies less breakage.
Evidence visible
Ingredients like Ceramide, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, and Arginine are known for hydration and nourishment, but their position below the 1% line in a rinse-off product makes 'from within' ambitious.
Mentioned only
INCI list confirms absence of sulfates (e.g., Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate). Uses mild surfactants.
Evidence visible
Supported by in-vitro studies on hair tresses. While 'scientifically proven' is strong, the evidence is not from human clinical trials.
Evidence visible
Quantified results from in-vitro studies (13.1% increase in tensile strength, 64.3% reduction in dry combing force, 59.4% reduction in wet combing force) provide support.
Evidence visible
Supported by the mild, sulfate-free surfactant system in the INCI.
Mentioned only
Maleic Acid is high in the INCI, supporting 'potent concentration'. Transglutaminase and Amino Acids are present but below the 1% line. 'Patent Pending' is a claim of status, not efficacy.
Mentioned only
These ingredients are present in the INCI, but Ceramide AP, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), and Arginine are all listed after Phenoxyethanol, suggesting concentrations below 1% in a rinse-off product.
Mentioned only
This analysis evaluates brand claims against visible evidence and formula logic. It does not replace a full ingredient safety analysis or a clinical product test. Results vary by individual, and the consumer should always read the full ingredient list and follow usage guidance.
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