Buildup is invisible until it isn't. Styling product, sebum, dry shampoo, and minerals from your tap water collect on the cuticle over time — and once they do, hair looks flat and dull, texture stops behaving, and every treatment you apply has to fight through a layer of residue to reach the strand.
PEPTIDE PREP is the once-a-week power wash that clears all of it. The difference is what it doesn't do: no squeaky over-cleansing, no faded color, no straw-like ends afterward.
One wash removes*
- 99% of product buildup
- 95% of sebum
- 76% of copper
It also targets the other metals that ride in on hard and tap water — nickel, cadmium, lead, zinc, iron — the ones behind dullness and stubborn residue that regular shampoo leaves behind.
Why it doesn't strip
The formula sits at pH 3.8–4.2, so the cuticle stays closed and color stays put while the lather does its work. In consumer testing, 90% said hair felt clean without feeling dry.* Just 17 ingredients plus the patented peptide — no fillers, no deposits, nothing left on the hair.
What's doing the work
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Activated charcoal — draws out excess oil, dirt and residue from hair and scalp.
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Salicylic acid — dissolves sebum buildup around the follicle without stripping the lipids hair needs.
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K18PEPTIDE™ — helps reduce protein loss during washing, so a deep clean doesn't come at the cost of strength.
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Chelating action — binds and lifts the metals that regular shampoo can't touch.
The prep step that makes everything else work harder
The name is literal. A clean, residue-free canvas lets molecular repair treatments and masks actually reach the hair. Use PEPTIDE PREP before your K18 leave-in molecular repair mask for the strongest possible result.
Best for
Everyone, honestly — but especially hard-water households, dry shampoo regulars, oily scalps, product-heavy routines, swimmers, and anyone whose color has gone flat or whose curl pattern has stopped springing back. Color-safe, all hair types and textures.
How to use
- Once a week (or whenever hair feels coated), use this in place of your usual shampoo.
- Massage through hair and scalp — take your time on the scalp, that's where buildup hides.
- Rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
- Follow with your K18 leave-in mask on repair days, or DAMAGE SHIELD conditioner for slip.
FAQ
How often should I use it?
Once a week is the sweet spot for most people. Adjust up if you use a lot of product, dry shampoo, or have hard water — and down if your hair runs very dry.
Will it dry my hair out?
No. The pH-optimized formula cleanses without over-stripping; 90% of testers said hair felt clean but not dry.*
Will it strip my color?
No. It's color-safe at pH 3.8–4.2, and by removing the metals that dull tone, it often makes color look brighter.
Can I use it every day?
It's not designed for daily use. This is a weekly reset — keep a gentler shampoo (like DAMAGE SHIELD) for regular washes.
Do I still need it if I don't use much product?
Yes. Sebum and water minerals build up regardless of how minimal your routine is.
Ingredients
Water (Aqua) (Eau), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder, sh-Oligopeptide-78, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes.
*Based on clinical and consumer testing. Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified).
