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Aussie

Kids Moist Detangler

Leave-in / Light leave-in, lightweight

  • Leave-in
  • spray
  • Sulfate-free
  • Protein-free
  • Curly-method
  • Cruelty-free · label states
Size8 fl oz
Price$6–7commonly seen · 8 oz
Price / oz$0.79/ozat 8 oz

Scent:

The ingredient list declares fragrance. What it smells of is not stated, and we do not guess.

“Tropically scented” — Brand page

Manufacturer page: aussie.com

Personal fit

Is this right for you?

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  • Your goals, scalp, damage history, water, budget, and scent preferences all shape your plan.

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Lower cost than most leave-ins

$0.79/oz at 8 oz — less than 89% of the 481 leave-ins , which mostly run $1.17–5.55/oz.

Price and stores

Great for

Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
Fine hairthat flattens under most products
Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list

Maybe skip if

this product carries a scent
Hair that needs proteinthere is none in this list
Very dry hairno humectant appears in the list
Silicone-free routinesit does contain silicones — the water-soluble kind
Coarse, very dry hairthis is a light formula for its category

Whether this weight sits well on your hair depends on density, porosity, and how much you already layer — that is what the consultation works out.

What the formula actually does

Read from the label, not the marketing

Each row says where it comes from: F means we derived it from this product’s own ingredient list, S means it is a claim the brand makes that the formula neither confirms nor contradicts.

Weight on the hair Light

Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair.

Slip and detangling High

Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula.

Water-binding (humectants) None found

No humectants found — nothing here pulls water into the hair.

Oils and butters None

No oils or butters in the list.

Protein None

No protein or amino acids in the list.

Needs detergent to remove Rinses with water

The silicones here are the water-soluble kind.

Fragrance Prominent

Fragrance sits in the first eight ingredients — a larger share of the formula.

from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.

Ingredients that matter

The ingredients that change a decision

The workhorse ingredients plus anything lower down that changes a decision. These chips name what an ingredient does — they are not safety scores, and no ingredient here is rated good or bad on its own.

IngredientWhat it doesWhy it mattersChip
Water solvent The base everything else is dissolved in Neutral
Peg/Ppg-20/23 Dimethicone emulsifier Keeps oil and water mixed Shine
Phenoxyethanol preservative Keeps the product from spoiling Stabilizes
Ppg-2 Methyl Ether emulsifier Keeps oil and water mixed Stabilizes
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil solubilizer Keeps oils dissolved in water Stabilizes
Benzyl Alcohol preservative Keeps the product from spoiling Stabilizes
Polyquaternium-11 film former A supporting film former Detangles
Fragrance fragrance The scent Fragrance
Ethylhexylglycerin preservative Keeps the product from spoiling Softens
What the list leaves out, and what it carriesNo sulfates or drying alcohols. Protein-free: this is built for moisture rather than for strengthening. Contains fragrance. Chelators for hard water.
Full ingredient list (12)

US labelling rules put ingredients above 1% in descending order of amount; below 1% they may be listed in any order. Annotations keep three readings separate: the ingredient's general function, its role in this product type, and what its position can support.

  • 1 Water
    General function

    The base of almost every rinse-off and cream hair product. It carries everything else and is normally the first ingredient on the label.

    Leading ingredient

    Listed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.

    • solvent
  • 2 Peg/Ppg-20/23 Dimethicone
    General function

    An ethoxylated or propoxylated formulation aid. Ingredients of this family keep oils, silicones and fragrance evenly dispersed in a water-based product.

    Leading ingredient

    Listed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.

    • emulsifier
    • silicone
    • water-soluble silicone
  • 3 Phenoxyethanol
    General function

    The most common modern preservative; it keeps the product free of bacteria and mould. It sits well below 1% of the formula.

    Leading ingredient

    Listed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.

    PubChem
    • preservative
  • 4 Ppg-2 Methyl Ether
    General function

    An ethoxylated or propoxylated formulation aid. Ingredients of this family keep oils, silicones and fragrance evenly dispersed in a water-based product.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    • emulsifier
  • 5 PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
    General function

    A castor-oil derivative that dissolves fragrance and oils into water so the product stays clear and does not separate.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    • solubilizer
    • emulsifier
  • Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
  • 6 Benzyl Alcohol
    General function

    A preservative and solvent that also occurs naturally in some essential oils.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    PubChem
    • preservative
    • solvent
  • 7 Polyquaternium-11
    General function

    A styling and conditioning polymer that adds light hold and shine, common in mousses and setting sprays.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    May suitCurls or waves needing flexible hold

    Cationic polymers hold a curl loosely and stay soft, which is why they turn up in definition products rather than firm-hold ones.

    May suitFrizz-prone, damaged, or high-friction hair

    A cationic polymer stays on the hair through rinsing, which is what keeps static and combing friction down after the wash.

    May suitMaximum-hold styling

    Film formers are what hold a style: they dry into a connected film across the strands so the shape resists movement.

    • film former
    • polymer
    • conditioning agent
  • 8 Fragrance
    General function

    An undisclosed blend of scent ingredients. Regulations let it stay unlisted, so a fragrance-free product is the only way to be certain what is not in it.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    May not suitFragrance-sensitive routines

    Declared fragrance. On a fragrance-sensitive routine this is the line that decides it, wherever it sits on the label.

    • fragrance
    • declared fragrance
  • 9 Cetrimonium Chloride
    General function

    A quick-acting conditioning agent that reduces static and combing force. It also helps keep the formula stable.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    May suitFine or easily flattened hair

    The C16 quat binds mostly by charge rather than by chain, so it deposits measurably less than the C22 ones. Less deposit is less conditioning and also less weight, which is usually the trade fine hair wants.

    May suitFrizz-prone, damaged, or high-friction hair

    A cationic conditioning agent: it binds to the damaged, negatively charged parts of the cuticle and lowers combing friction there.

    DependsBuild-up-sensitive routines

    Substantive by design. A routine with no detergent wash gives it nothing to leave with.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science
    • conditioning agent
    • cleanser
  • 10 Polysorbate 80
    • emulsifier
    • solubilizer
  • 11 Disodium EDTA
    General function

    Grabs metal ions from hard water so they cannot dull the hair or destabilise the formula.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    May suitBuild-up-sensitive routines

    Binds the calcium and magnesium in hard water, which is what stops mineral deposits accumulating on the strand wash after wash.

    May suitGray, silver, or brass-prone hair

    Copper and iron carried in tap water deposit on the strand and read as a dull, warm cast on gray or light hair. A chelator holds those metals in solution so the wash carries them off.

    PubChem
    • hard-water chelator
  • 12 Ethylhexylglycerin
    General function

    A preservative booster that also adds a little softness. Almost always paired with phenoxyethanol.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    May suitFrizz-prone, damaged, or high-friction hair

    Emollients fill and smooth the surface of the strand, which lowers the friction that lifts the cuticle and reads as roughness.

    PubChem
    • preservative
    • emollient

What the whole list adds up to

  • 4 emulsifiers
  • 3 preservatives
  • 2 solvents
  • 2 solubilizers
  • 2 conditioning agents
  • 1 silicone
  • 1 water-soluble silicone
  • 1 film former
  • 1 polymer
  • 1 fragrance
  • 1 declared fragrance
  • 1 cleanser
  • 1 hard-water chelator
  • 1 emollient

Ingredient list captured 2026-09-04. Formulas change — check the package in your hand when an ingredient matters to you.

Price · 8 oz

Commonly seen $6–7 Midpoint $6.29 · 3 stores · checked Sep 4
Good value under $7 Under $0.88/oz it costs less than three-quarters of the 8 products we score as doing the same job

Good value on sale. Some stores sell it under the $7 line; products that do this job typically go for about $12 at this size.

Show the price ladder
Where we’ve seen it3 listings · 3 stores
  • Walmart
    $4.97
    8 oz · $0.62/oz
    Sep 4Lowest per oz
  • Target
    $6.29
    8 oz · $0.79/oz
    Sep 4
  • Vitacost.com
    $6.91
    8 oz · $0.86/oz
    Sep 4

Sorted by price per ounce. Dated observations from our research, not live prices. Direct store pages, no affiliate links. We don’t sell this product.

How we work this out
  1. 8 oz is the size stores list most often; every comparison on this page is made at it. Other sizes are shown in the Sizes row and the store list.
  2. Commonly seen is the middle half of current prices for the 8 oz at recognised stores — the cheapest quarter and the dearest quarter are left out, so one sale or one overpriced listing can’t move it.
  3. Good value under $7 comes from the 8 products we score as doing the same job as this one. A quarter of them cost less than $0.88/oz; at 8 oz that is $7. Under that line you are paying less than most of them.
  4. About $12 is what those same products typically cost at this size — the midpoint of their prices per ounce, scaled to 8 oz.

Formula

Formula score
5 of 10

The formula covers the core of what a leave-in does, and it costs less per ounce than most leave-ins in our library.

How the score is counted
  • Costs less per ounce than 89% of the 481 leave-ins we’ve priced
  • No humectant in the formula
  • Reviewers mention 3 things they like about how it performs
  • Value tier, sold at Grocery / mass and Brand website
  • Conditioning agents up frontWhat makes wet hair comb through.2 pts
  • A humectantBinds water into the hair.2 pts
  • A light baseWater or a volatile carrier first, so it does not weigh hair down.2 pts
  • Oils or butters in the working zoneSoftens the strand rather than just coating it.2 pts
  • No detergent-dependent filmNothing that needs a clarifying wash to remove.1 pt
  • Fragrance kept out of the top eightScent as a finishing touch, not a major share.1 pt

The formula score is completeness for the job: the share of the systems this product type is normally built around that we can find in this list, weighted. It is not efficacy, not quality, and it never compares across product types.

Does the same job

Same derived functions — what it cleans, conditions, coats or holds — at a lower cost per ounce. Scent, texture and where you buy it can still differ.

AussieLowest cost per oz Kids Moist Detangling Spray $0.62/oz $0.17/oz less
  • Protein-free
  • Curly method
  • Lightweight
· Same function
Differs
  • Coconut scent
  • Drugstore tier
Compare
Uncle Funky's DaughterClose function Thirsty Curls Leave-in Curl Revitalizer $1.94/oz $1.15/oz more
  • Protein-free
  • Curly method
  • Lightweight
Function
  • Water-binding (humectants)
Also
  • Sweet scent
  • Prestige tier
Compare
Paul MitchellClose function Awapuhi Moisture Mist $1.77/oz $0.98/oz more
  • Protein-free
  • Curly method
  • Lightweight
Function
  • Slip and detangling
  • Water-binding (humectants)
Also
  • Coconut scent
  • Salon tier
  • 8.5 oz bottle
Compare

See more alternatives in the product library

These are functional neighbours, not personal recommendations — they are close on formula, not chosen for anyone. Get the one that fits your hair, routine, and budget

Suits every hair pattern

Final decision

Should you buy it?

A solid pick for the hair it suits
Best user

Hair that stiffens on protein who want a protein-free formula and real detangling slip

Biggest tradeoff

Less suited to anyone sensitive to fragrance, soft, over-stretchy hair that needs protein, or very dry hair looking for water-binding

Best alternative if not

Nothing in our library matches it closely at a lower price.

We do not sell products or take placement fees. This page states what the formula and the prices show; the consultation is what matches it to a person.

Claims check

What the brand says, against what the formula shows

Claims are quoted from the brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when the ingredient list actually speaks to it; everything else stays "stated by the brand", which is not a criticism — most claims simply cannot be read off a label.

2
SupportedBacked by ingredients
0
Partly supportedSome supporting logic
2
Stated by brandNo clear evidence
0
Potential conflictFormula works against claim
Paraben free, sulfate free, and dye free

No sulfate detergents appear in the ingredient list.

Supported

Gentler on colour and coils.

Certified PETA cruelty free

Our researched record has this brand as cruelty-free.

Supported

Matches our researched record.

Moisture-rich formula

Nothing in the list reads as a moisture system.

  • Ethylhexylglycerin
Stated by brand

Can’t be confirmed from label.

Tropically scented

This is a marketing claim; an ingredient list cannot speak to it.

Stated by brand

Can’t be confirmed from label.

How to read this

We look at the first 10–15 ingredients and what they do in a formula — not marketing. If the list doesn't speak to a claim, we don't assume.

Reviewers

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings.

Reviewers say a spray-and-comb routine removes knots and tangles easily and praise the candy-like scent.

parents on aussie.com

A reviewer with a child who has thick, curly hair says they can brush right through it after using this detangler.

parent of a child with thick, curly hair

Parents say the spray combs through tangles nicely and leaves hair soft without a sticky residue.

parents of children with curly/textured hair reviewing on aussie.com

More from Aussie

How this page was made

  • Everything above is generated from our researched product record — identity, the ingredient list as printed, the brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. No part of this page is written per product.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • Both scores out of ten are defined on this page. The formula score is completeness for the job, computed from a fixed per-format checklist shown beneath the gauge; the price score is cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 2 sources consulted for this product (1 manufacturer or regulatory, 1 retailer, 0 editorial), last checked 2026-09-04.
  • Ingredient references are linked for 3 of 5 product-aware annotations on this page. Fit notes are conditional formulation guidance, not a conclusion about the finished product or about you.
  • We have not tested this product in a lab and we do not physically test your hair. Formula readings come from the ingredient list; behaviour claims are labelled as the brand's.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice.
  • Ingredient names link to our ingredient library, where each entry shows what it does, which product types use it, and where it usually sits on a label across everything we have researched.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.
  • Formula readings: derivation v22. Record last updated 2026-09-04.