Did Aussie Instant Freeze change its formula? Yes—and not just once. If you are a longtime user like me, your first reaction was probably, “WTF?” The replacement formula felt completely different going on and after it dried, which is what prompted me to compare the products and contact Aussie directly.
When I first noticed the change, I expected the formulas to perform dramatically differently. After testing them side by side for this article, however, the results were more nuanced than I anticipated. Aussie has since changed the formula again, bringing it much closer to the original version, although it is still not exactly the same.
How the Original and Water-Based Formulas Compared
Before comparing the ingredients, it helps to explain how I use Aussie Instant Freeze. After showering, I squeeze as much water from my hair as possible and spray it with Aussie Instant Freeze while it is still wet. I wrap my hair in a towel for about 30 minutes, spray it again after removing the towel, and then allow it to air-dry.
The photos above show the results of using the original formula and the water-based replacement formula. The immediate difference was not as dramatic as I expected when I tested them side by side. My hair looked slightly messier with the original formula, but appearance was only part of the comparison. My larger concern was whether the water-based formula would provide the same hold and continue working throughout the day.
How to Tell Which Aussie Instant Freeze Formula You Have
The bottle design may offer a clue, but it is not a reliable way to identify the formula because Aussie has changed the packaging more than once. A reader later contacted me after finding a newer-looking can with ingredients that were much closer to the original formula. The most accurate way to determine which version you have is to check the ingredient list on the back of the can.
Aussie Instant Freeze old formula
- ALCOHOL DENAT., HYDROFLUOROCARBON 152Z, WATER, ISOBUTANE, VA/CROTONATES/VINYL NEODECANOATE COPOLYMER, ACRYLATES/OCTYLACRYLAMDE COPOLYMER, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, SIMMONDSIA CHINESIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, ECKLONIA RADIATA EXTRACT, FRAGRANCE, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, AMMONIUM BENZOATE, POLYSORBATE 80, MIPA-BORATE, MEA-BORATE, DISILOXANE.
AUSSIE INSTANT FREEZE NEW FORMULA
- WATER, DIMETHYL ETHER, ACRYLATES/HYDROXYESTERS ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, POLYURETHANE-14, FRAGRANCE, AMP=ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGYCERIN
Aussie Instant Freeze Current Formula
Aussie later changed the formula again. The current version is much closer to the original formula, although it is not identical.
- ALCOHOL DENATURED, HYDROFLUOROCARBON 152A, WATER, VA/CROTONATES/VINYL NEODECANOATE COPOLYMER, ACRYLATES/OCTYLACRYLAMIDE COPOLYMER, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, FRAGRANCE, EHTYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, AMMONIUM BENZOATE, POLYSORBATE 80, MIPE-BORATE, MEA-BORATE, DISILOXANE
If water is the first ingredient, you have the water-based replacement formula. If alcohol denatured is listed first, you have either the original formula or the newer version that is much closer to it.
What Aussie Told Me About the Formula Change
Because Aussie Instant Freeze is an important part of my hair routine, I contacted Aussie directly after testing the water-based formula. I explained that it felt like a completely different product and no longer provided the hold I expected from something called “Instant Freeze.”
Aussie’s response did not explain exactly why the ingredients were changed, but the company said the reformulated product was intended to provide strong hold while leaving the hair softer and adding moisture and light texture. They also suggested using less product than I had used with the original formula. Below is the response I received.
- Aussie Customer Service: Phone: 1-800-947-2656
- Email or Chat: https://www.aussie.com/en-us/contact-us
Did Aussie Change the Formula Again?
A reader later contacted me after finding a can with the newer packaging but an ingredient list that looked much closer to the original formula. That did not match the water-based version I had written about, so I researched it further and contacted Aussie again to ask whether the original formula had returned.
Aussie responded that the formula had not been reverted to the original version. Below is the second response I received directly from the company.
Aussie Freeze Spray: Same but Different
Aussie did not bring back the original formula exactly, but the current ingredient list is much closer to it than the water-based replacement. Alcohol denatured is once again the first ingredient, and many of the original styling ingredients have returned, although several ingredients are still missing.
I cannot say for certain why Aussie chose not to restore the formula completely, but it was encouraging to see the product move back toward what longtime users had been asking for. I like to think the many complaints, emails, and reviews from loyal customers helped make a difference.
I also found a helpful video comparison from a creator who tested the original formula against the newer, similar version and explained how they compare in actual use.