What is the main ingredient found in curl booster products?

The main ingredient found in curl booster products is ammonium thioglycolate. This chemical is widely used in the hair industry for its ability to break down disulfide bonds in the hair's protein structure, allowing for the formation of new curls or waves. When applied, it alters the hair's texture, enabling stylists to create a more defined and lasting curl.

Ammonium thioglycolate is particularly effective in modifying the hair’s structure because it has both reducing and conditioning properties, which facilitate the reshaping of the hair while also providing some level of moisture. This makes it a preferred choice in the formulation of curl booster products aimed at enhancing or establishing curls in both natural and chemically treated hair.

Other ingredients, while important in various hair treatments, do not serve the same purpose as ammonium thioglycolate in curl boosters. For example, hydrogen peroxide is primarily used as a bleaching agent, ethanolamine is commonly used in hair color products and relaxers, and glycerin acts mainly as a humectant to retain moisture rather than modifying curl structure. Therefore, ammonium thioglycolate stands out as the key active component in curl booster formulations.