CUTICLE
- Outermost layer of hair
- Made of overlapping scale-like cells running root-to-end
- Provides shine, moisture-retention + protection
- When damaged, exposes the cortex
TALKING HAIR SCIENCE
Want to know why IN COMMON repairs + transforms hair from the inside out? Let’s get to the science-y root of it all—starting with hair structure.
Want to know why IN COMMON repairs + transforms hair from the inside out? Let’s get to science-y root of it all—starting with hair structure.
THE 101 OF THE BIG 3: CUTICLE + CORTEX + MEDULLA
When you see hair, you see color, (hopefully) gloss, (maybe) a split end or two. But hair structure is made of so much more, starting with three main layers: the cuticle, cortex and medulla.
CORTEX
- The middle layer of hair
- Primarily made of cortical cells joined by cortical cellular membrane complex
- Provides elasticity, strength, texture + more
- When exposed, dullness + dryness occurs
MEDULLA
- The innermost layer of some hair
- Fragmented cells made of proteins
- Possibly supplies light reflection + hair diameter
- Mostly found in thick + coarse hair
CUTICLE
- Outermost layer of hair
- Made of overlapping scale-like cells running root-to-end
- Provides shine, moisture-retention + protection
- When damaged, exposes the cortex
CORTEX
- The middle layer of hair
- Primarily made of cortical cells joined by cortical cellular membrane complex
- Provides elasticity, strength, texture + more
- When exposed, dullness + dryness occurs
MEDULLA
- The innermost layer of some hair
- Fragmented cells made of proteins
- Possibly supplies light reflection + hair diameter
- Mostly found in thick + coarse hair
Our Discovery: Focus On The Cellular Membrane Complex
Everyone pays attention to broken bonds, treating hair with “Bond Builders” that frequently use ceramides to mend the gaps. But these often don’t focus in on a very important part of the hair structure: the cellular membrane complex (CMC).
Our Discovery: Focus On The Cellular Membrane Complex
The CMC is the “glue” in the hair structure that binds the cortex and cuticle together. Made up of lipids, this sticky layer is where hair hydration lives—and the CMC is vitally important to the hair’s overall health.
Our Discovery: Focus On The Cellular Membrane Complex
When the CMC is exposed:
- The hair structure loses hydration, affecting the cuticle + cortex.
- The cortex becomes exposed.
- Damage occurs to the innermost layer of the hair shaft.
- Hair is left dry, dull-looking + weakened.
Our Discovery: Focus On The Cellular Membrane Complex
Everyone pays attention to broken bonds, treating hair with “Bond Builders” that frequently use ceramides to mend the gaps. But these often don’t focus in on a very important part of the hair structure: the cellular membrane complex (CMC).
Our Discovery: Focus On The Cellular Membrane Complex
The CMC is the “glue” in the hair structure that binds the cortex and cuticle together. Made up of lipids, this sticky layer is where hair hydration lives—and the CMC is vitally important to the hair’s overall health.
Our Discovery: Focus On The Cellular Membrane Complex
When the CMC is exposed:
- The hair structure loses hydration, affecting the cuticle + cortex.
- The cortex becomes exposed.
- Damage occurs to the innermost layer of the hair shaft.
- Hair is left dry, dull-looking + weakened.
DAMAGE … WE KNOW HER
And we don’t like her. She comes in so many forms—and all of them involve our beloved CMC, which is why we need to care for it. Let’s break down damage.
FRIZZ
- Caused by moisture entering CMC
- Cuticle is compromised
- Hair shaft swells
- OUR FIX: Protect the cuticle + CMC
TANGLES
- Caused by cuticle lifting + catching
- Combing causes more damage
- One tangle begets more
- OUR FIX: Protect the cuticle + CMC
DRYNESS
- Caused by exposed CMC
- Cuticle is compromised
- Lipids are depleted in CMC
- OUR FIX: Replenish CMC’s lost lipids
BREAKAGE/BRITTLENESS
- Caused by UV exposure, aging + treated water
- Broken, weakened keratin due to exposed cortex
- Cuticle is compromised; CMC is exposed
- OUR FIX: Treat CMC with amino acids to facilitate repair
FRIZZ
- Caused by moisture entering CMC
- Cuticle is compromised
- Hair shaft swells
- OUR FIX: Protect the cuticle + CMC
DRYNESS
- Caused by exposed CMC
- Cuticle is compromised
- Lipids are depleted in CMC
- OUR FIX: Replenish CMC’s lost lipids
TANGLES
- Caused by cuticle lifting + catching
- Combing causes more damage
- One tangle begets more
- OUR FIX: Protect the cuticle + CMC
BREAKAGE/BRITTLENESS
- Caused by UV exposure, aging + treated water
- Broken, weakened keratin due to exposed cortex
- Cuticle is compromised; CMC is exposed
- OUR FIX: Treat CMC with amino acids to facilitate repair
Happy Cellular Membrane Complex = Happy Hair
Knowing that the CMC holds the key to both cuticle health + cortex health, we focused our science on making this little layer happy as can be with a breakthrough that will leave hair repaired, healthy looking, stronger + more resilient in just one use*: Leave-In Hair Repair Treatment With Cellular Membrane Complex. Learn how it works.
Happy Cellular Membrane Complex = Happy Hair
Knowing that the CMC holds the key to both cuticle health + cortex health, we focused our science on making this little layer happy as can be with a breakthrough that will leave hair repaired, healthy looking, stronger + more resilient in just one use*: Leave-In Hair Repair Treatment With Cellular Membrane Complex. Learn how it works.
*Strength results confirmed in a clinical study using Leave-In Hair Repair Treatment on bleached hair.
