The hair style of the models in this commercial is laughable…but the science of how this product works is serious.
As you can probably tell I really enjoy these vintage cosmetic commercials. This one is particularly meaningful to me since I had the privilege of working on VO5 Hot Oil. Even though it has been around since the 1970s the technology still fascinates me and it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.
How does VO5 Hot Oil work?
Unlike other products, Hot Oil actually reacts with your shampoo to create a conditioning complex. (Years ago I created a demonstration showing this effect: if you pour hot oil into a solution of shampoo it instantly turns cloudy showing that the reaction takes place.) The key ingredient is PEI 1750 which has a very high charge density so it can stick to hair better.
In fact Perry and I even wrote a paper on this topic. It’s titled “Solid‐state Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Branched Poly(ethylenimine) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate” and it was published in the Journal of Macromolecular Science. I believe Perry still sells autographed copies on his other website. (Yeah, the one that he cheats on me with.)
Ingredients
Water, Cocotrimonium Chloride, Acetamide MEA, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEI 1750, Oleth 20, Propylene Glycol, Hydrochloric Acid, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium 10, Hydrolzyed Wheat Protein, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Vegetable Amino Acids, Lysine Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amy Cinnamal, Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Eugenol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Phytantriol, Keratin Amino Acids, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG Propyl Silanetriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Biotin
{ 11 comments… add one }
Hi, what is PEI 1750? It’s not an EU registered inci. I can’t find it either on CosIng or Innovadex.com
It’s a high molecular weight polyethyleneimine.
Hm… the link doesn’t work
It works for me – maybe it’s a browser issue?
Would this work with sodium laureth sulfate? I use shampoos with that one only because it’s supposedly gentler on hair than sodium lauryl sulfate
Yes the reaction may not be as strong but it will still work.
oh…. I can remember these oil tubs on my house
Can you make Vo5 hot oil at home?
I suppose if you had a copy of the formula and if you had access to all the chemicals and if you had a way to weigh out small amounts of chemicals and if you had the proper mixing equipment and if you had a way to check the specifications of the final product, then, yes, you could make VO5 Hot Oil at home. But it would probably cost you more to do it yourself than to just buy it in the store.
OK thank you for your very detailed answer.
I ask because there are a lot of websites that talk about ‘DIY hot oil treatments’ using very few ingredients and I was just wondering if they can really compare to the real thing (V05), or are they selling me a lie?
http://adelightfulhome.com/diy-hot-oil-hair-treatment/
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hot-Oil-Treatment-for-Hair
https://www.liveabout.com/recipe-hot-oil-treatment-for-hair-4050068
These website are talking about treating your hair with actual oil (VO5 Hot Oil isn’t really oil based.)
You can certainly follow a recipe like this, if you do here’s a tip: the only oil that’s been proven to really help hair is coconut oil.