Mane Men: Ditch the Dax and Sportin' Waves

June 03, 2013

C'mon son.

It is my sincerest and most honest prayer that in 2013, no man walking the face of the Earth is still dipping in Dax and Sportin' Waves.

Jesus. Please.

But they're still on the shelves (albeit, moving slowly), so that means somebody somewhere is buying it. Hopefully, this post will change your mind. Let's have a look-see at the ingredient lists for each:

Dax Bergamot Pomade
Petrolatum, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Lanolin, Castor (Ricinus Communis) Oil, Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil, Olive (Olea Europaea) Oil, Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), D&C Yellow 11 (Cl 47000), D&C Green 6 (Cl 61565).

SoftSheen Carson Sportin' Waves
Petrolatum , Water - Aqua , Glycerin , Ceteareth-20 , Mineral Oil - Paraffinum Liquidum , Polysorbate 20 , Oleth-5 , Propylene Glycol , Paraffin , Hydroxylated Lanolin , Oleth-10 , Microcrystalline Wax - Cera Microcristallina , Fragrance - Parfum , Phenoxyethanol , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Benzyl Salicylate , Hexyl Cinnamal , Linalool , Citronellol , Geraniol , Amyl Cinnamal , Benzyl Benzoate , Citral , Benzyl Alcohol

Now, a quick breakdown of the first 5 ingredients in each product...because you know, those are the only ingredients that matter:

Dax

Petrolatum: Occlusive (water and air proof sealing) hair conditioning agent made from a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Also acts as a UV absorber.
Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum): An occlusive agent that creates a barrier between the hair and the air, acting as a sealant.
Lanolin: Emulsifying and emollient agent sourced from the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool.
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis): Emollient and humectant oil, touted as a treatment for thinning hair, hair loss, dry, and itchy scalp. Has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
Coconut Oil

Sportin' Waves

Petrolatum: Occlusive hair conditioning agent made from a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Also acts as a UV absorber.
Water: Nothin' wrong with that.
Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant; absorbs and retains moisture.
Ceteareth-20: Emulsifier derived from fatty alcohols, used primarily to mix oil/water/alcohols, and help evenly disperse ingredients in a product
Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum): An occlusive agent that creates a barrier between the hair and the air, acting as a sealant.

If you're not big into ingredients, that's okay. Here's a few quick reasons why both products are a bad look...if you're interested in keeping your hair:

1. Both are petrolatum based. Basically, you're rubbing Vaseline into your hair. On top of that, petrolatum is a UV absorber, which basically means it's helping the sun cook your hair. Sounds amazing.
2. Because of #1, the other ingredients really don't matter. These products could be chock-full of the greatest and most exotic oils and extracts...and none of that would have any impact on your hair whatsoever, because they can't get in. For example, it's great that they contain coconut oil and glycerin, respectively. Those are two great ingredients to have in a hair product. HOWEVER, because petrolatum is occlusive (air and water-proof), the good stuff can't get in.
3. It's not 1995 anymore.
4. Both products contain mineral oil...aka baby oil. Makes you feel good, huh?
5. Because of #1 and #2, your hair is likely to be more prone to scalp-suffocating buildup, and actually dried out underneath all that Vaseline. Clogged follicles + dry hair = fallout.

So what's a brotha to do? Have no fear -- here are a few product recommendations:

If you don't mind looking like you use your girl's stuff:

If you'd rather be a manly man about it: