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Virtue

Damage Reverse Hair Serum

Finisher / Serum, medium-weight

  • Finisher
  • serum
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Moisture-rich
Size0.51 fl oz
Price$0.01 Good valueseen at one store · 0.51 oz
Price / oz$0.02/ozat 0.51 oz

Scent:

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

Manufacturer page: virtuelabs.com

Personal fit

Is this right for you?

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Lower cost than most serums

$0.02/oz at 0.51 oz — less than 100% of the 79 serums , which mostly run $3.27–14.46/oz.

Price and stores

Great for

Protein-hungry hairthat stretches and stays stretched when wet
Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
Stretching wash daysnothing here needs a detergent to remove
Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
Aerosol avoidancea pump or tube, not a pressurised can

Maybe skip if

this product carries a scent
Protein-sensitive hairthat goes stiff or straw-like on protein
Hair that reads dullno recognised shine system in the list
Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
Tight budgetsit sits in the upper price tiers
Picking it up locallywe have it recorded in one channel only

Whether a finisher this rich will read as shine or as grease depends on your strand thickness and oil rate — 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 Medium

Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair.

Oils and butters None

No oils or butters in the list.

Needs detergent to remove No

Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove.

Fast-drying alcohol None

No fast-drying alcohol in the list.

Fragrance Present

Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients.

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
WaterAqua solvent The base everything else is dissolved in Neutral
C13-15 Alkane emollient Softens and smooths the strand Shine
Coconut Alkanes emollient Softens and smooths the strand Shine
Propanediol humectant Pulls water into the hair Moisturizes
Glycerin humectant Pulls water into the hair Moisturizes
Keratin protein Firms up soft, over-stretchy hair Protein
Squalane emollient Softens and smooths the strand Detangles
Copper Tripeptide-34 protein Firms up soft, over-stretchy hair Protein
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein film former A supporting film former Protein
FragranceParfum fragrance The scent Fragrance
What the list leaves out, and what it carriesThe list carries no sulfates, silicones, or drying alcohols. Protein sits high: this is a strengthening step rather than a moisture one. Fragrance is on the label.
Full ingredient list (14)

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 · Aqua
    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 C13-15 Alkane
    General function

    A plant-derived light alkane used as a clean-feeling replacement for silicone or mineral oil.

    Leading ingredient

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

    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.

    • emollient
    • solvent
  • 3 Coconut Alkanes
    General function

    A coconut-derived light emollient used as a plant alternative to silicone.

    Leading ingredient

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

    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.

    • emollient
    • solvent
  • 4 Propanediol
    General function

    A corn-derived humectant and solvent, often chosen as a lighter-feeling alternative to propylene glycol.

    Supporting ingredient

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

    May suitFine or easily flattened hair

    Light and water-binding rather than oily, so it hydrates without contributing weight.

    May suitVery dry or highly damaged hair

    A small water-binding solvent. It holds moisture and helps the rest of the formula spread evenly over the strand.

    DependsClimate-sensitive or frizz-prone hair

    A humectant follows the air: it holds water in humid conditions and can give it up in very dry ones. Climate decides what it does more than the label does.

    PubChem
    • humectant
    • solvent
  • 5 Glycerin
    General function

    A small water-loving molecule that draws moisture into the hair and holds it there. It is the most common softening ingredient in conditioners and leave-ins.

    Supporting ingredient

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

    May suitDry, coarse, or high-porosity hair

    High-porosity hair loses water fast; a humectant holds some of it in place for longer than the wash itself would.

    May suitVery dry or highly damaged hair

    Binds water into the outer layers of the strand, and water is what makes dry hair flexible again rather than brittle.

    DependsClimate-sensitive or frizz-prone hair

    Water moves both ways. Measured across concentrations, glycerin solutions give water up in some conditions and take it from the air in others. What it does for you depends on how much of it is there and on the air around it.

    Scientific Reports
    • humectant
  • 6 Keratin
    General function

    The protein hair is made of. On the outside of the strand it fills gaps and firms up the feel for a few washes.

    Supporting ingredient

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

    May not suitProtein-sensitive hair

    A large surface-depositing protein. If protein reliably makes your hair feel rigid, this is the form most likely to do it.

    DependsVery dry or highly damaged hair

    Unhydrolysed protein is too large to enter the strand. It sits on the surface, which is a coating effect rather than internal reinforcement.

    • protein
  • 7 Squalane
    General function

    The fully hydrogenated form of squalene, now made from olive or sugarcane rather than shark liver. Hydrogenation is what makes it so slow to oxidise; it spreads very lightly and absorbs without a greasy film.

    Supporting ingredient

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

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

    Deposits a lubricating layer that makes combing easier, which is most of what stops mechanical damage adding to frizz.

    PubChem
    • emollient
    • conditioning agent
  • 8 Copper Tripeptide-34
    General function

    A copper-bound peptide used at low levels in scalp and thinning-positioned formulas.

    Supporting ingredient

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

    May not suitProtein-sensitive hair

    A large surface-depositing protein. If protein reliably makes your hair feel rigid, this is the form most likely to do it.

    DependsVery dry or highly damaged hair

    Unhydrolysed protein is too large to enter the strand. It sits on the surface, which is a coating effect rather than internal reinforcement.

    • protein
  • 9 Panthenol
    General function

    Provitamin B5. It draws in water and penetrates the strand a little, which is why it is the standard ingredient for softness and shine claims.

    Secondary ingredient

    Lower in the ordered portion of the list, it is more likely playing a supporting role than defining the formula.

    May suitFine or easily flattened hair

    It hydrates without adding oil or a film, which is the combination fine hair usually needs.

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

    Deposits a lubricating layer that makes combing easier, which is most of what stops mechanical damage adding to frizz.

    May suitVery dry or highly damaged hair

    A humectant that also penetrates the cuticle, so it holds water inside the strand rather than only on the surface.

    PubChem
    • humectant
    • conditioning agent
    • vitamin
  • 10 Arginine
    General function

    An amino acid that holds water and carries a positive charge, so it is drawn to damaged spots on the strand.

    Secondary ingredient

    Lower in the ordered portion of the list, it is more likely playing a supporting role than defining the formula.

    May suitVery dry or highly damaged hair

    Amino acids are the smallest protein fraction and bind water as well, so they add far less stiffness than a hydrolysed protein does.

    DependsClimate-sensitive or frizz-prone hair

    A humectant follows the air: it holds water in humid conditions and can give it up in very dry ones. Climate decides what it does more than the label does.

    DependsProtein-sensitive hair

    The lightest option in the protein family, but still protein — worth watching if protein reliably stiffens your hair.

    PubChem
    • amino acid
    • humectant
  • 11 Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
    General function

    A general plant protein blend used for strength and body; the silanetriol form binds more firmly.

    Secondary ingredient

    Lower in the ordered portion of the list, it is more likely playing a supporting role than defining the formula.

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

    Filling surface gaps evens out the cuticle, which is part of what makes damaged hair comb and reflect light more like undamaged hair.

    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.

    May suitVery dry or highly damaged hair

    Hydrolysed fragments are small enough to sit in the gaps of a worn cuticle for a wash or two, temporarily restoring stiffness and cutting breakage in combing.

    • film former
    • protein
    • hydrolysed protein
  • Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
  • 12 Tocopherol
    • antioxidant
    • vitamin
  • 13 Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract · Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
    • botanical extract
    • antioxidant
  • 14 Fragrance · Parfum
    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

What the whole list adds up to

  • 4 solvents
  • 4 humectants
  • 3 emollients
  • 3 proteins
  • 2 conditioning agents
  • 2 vitamins
  • 2 antioxidants
  • 1 amino acid
  • 1 film former
  • 1 hydrolysed protein
  • 1 botanical extract
  • 1 fragrance
  • 1 declared fragrance

Ingredient list captured 2026-08-27. Formulas change — check the package in your hand when an ingredient matters to you.

Price · 0.51 oz

Seen at $0.01 1 store · checked Sep 5
Good value under $2 Under $4.34/oz it costs less than three-quarters of the 8 products we score as doing the same job

Usually a good value. Most stores sell it under the $2 line, and products that do this job typically go for about $3 at this size.

Show the price ladder
Where we’ve seen it3 listings · 3 stores

0.51 ozmost listedBest per ounce

  • Sephora
    $0.01
    0.51 oz · $0.02/oz
    Sep 5Lowest per oz

1.7 oz

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. 0.51 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. Seen at $0.01 is the price we have observed for the 0.51 oz. We need three stores before we call a price commonly seen.
  3. Good value under $2 comes from the 8 products we score as doing the same job as this one. A quarter of them cost less than $4.34/oz; at 0.51 oz that is $2. Under that line you are paying less than most of them.
  4. About $3 is what those same products typically cost at this size — the midpoint of their prices per ounce, scaled to 0.51 oz.

Formula

Formula score
7 of 10

Not the most complete serum formula we have read, but it is under most of the range for serums per ounce.

How the score is counted
  • Costs less per ounce than 100% of the 79 serums we’ve priced
  • No shine system in the formula
  • Prestige tier, sold at Brand website
  • Prestige tier
  • A shine systemThe silicone, oil, or ester that produces gloss.3 pts
  • A weightless carrierDelivers the shine without leaving grease.2 pts
  • Oils or butters in the working zoneSoftens the strand rather than just coating it.2 pts
  • An antioxidantKeeps the oils in the bottle from going off.1 pt
  • No drying alcohol in the first threeFast drying without leading on alcohol.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.

LolaVieLighter feel Glossing Detangler $5.80/oz $5.78/oz more
  • Protein-free
  • Lightweight
  • Silicone-free
· Close function
Function
  • Weight on the hair
  • Protein
Also
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan
  • Salon tier
Compare
BiolageLighter feel Hydra Source Moisture Method Scalp & Hair Serum $13.33/oz $13.31/oz more
  • Protein-free
  • Lightweight
  • Silicone-free
· Close function
Function
  • Weight on the hair
  • Protein
Also
  • Vegan
  • Salon tier
Compare
Sexy HairLowest cost per oz Healthy Sexy Hair Shine Show Blowout Spray - 5.1 oz $4.50/oz $4.48/oz more
  • Protein-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Rinses clean
· Close function
Function
  • Water-binding (humectants)
  • Protein
Also
  • Sweet scent
  • Cruelty-free
  • Masstige tier
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

Soft, over-stretchy hair, looking for protein high in the formula and moisture that stays in

Biggest tradeoff

Less suited to anyone sensitive to fragrance, hair that stiffens on protein, or hair that reads dull

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.

Reviewers

What people report

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

Product fails to deliver noticeable results despite expectations from damage-repair branding.

High price point does not justify the disappointing performance and lack of results.

Serum makes hair feel dry and brittle rather than providing the promised repair benefits.

Leaves hair feeling heavy, sticky, and difficult to manage after application.

More from Virtue

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.
  • 3 sources consulted for this product (1 manufacturer or regulatory, 1 retailer, 1 editorial), last checked 2026-09-05.
  • Ingredient references are linked for 5 of 11 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 2026-09-05.