Some hair products are completely avoidable. You can live an entire life never having to worry about hairspray and its potentially drying alcohol content, if you choose to do so. The same goes for gels, mousses, and serums. But shampoo is one of those let’s-learn-to-live-with-it products that you’ll want to get right the first time — and keep getting right. In a perfect world, all shampoos would be healthy for you and contain ingredients that are nourishing for your scalp and strands.
But that isn’t always the case.
Some shampoos can contain ingredients that are actually known for causing hair loss or making it worse. Other ingredients can be drying and create split ends and other issues that lead to damage. It’s important to know which ingredients to stay away from — but we also have info about specific brands of shampoo that have been called out by TotalBeauty for causing hair damage and even hair loss. Here’s what you need to know.
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Shampoos With Sulfates
Sulfates are responsible for creating a soapy lather than you may associate with clean hair. But sulfates can also be drying on your hair and scalp, as they strip all sebum from your hair follicles. The point of washing your hair with shampoo is never to eliminate its moisture — sticking with sulfate-free formulas can help by cleansing grease, dirt, and excess oils from your hair, but maintaining hydration.
Shampoos With Parabens
Parabens are antimicrobial and antifungal, which sounds like exactly what you want from a hair product, but the bad news is that there is some evidence linking them to hormonal imbalances and forms of cancer. Always check hair product labels to make sure yours do not contain parabens.
Shampoos with Thickening Agents
Shampoos that contain thickening agents like alcohol and sodium chloride can make your scalp feel dry and itchy. A dry scalp that lacks proper sebum balance can create conditions that make it easier for hair to become brittle and shed.
According to TotalBeauty, there are a number of shampoos that keep popping up on lists of shampoos that users reports have caused them damage. Here are 10 shampoos to keep on your radar — because they have several negative reviews:
TRESemme Anti-Breakage Strengthening Shampoo — this shampoo has reportedly caused dryness and made users feel like their strands are waxy.
Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Moisturizing Shampoo — this shampoo fails to moisturize, according to some reviewers, and leaves hair feeling dry and unmanageable.
John Frieda Radiant Red Color Captivating Daily Shampoo — According to some reviewers, this shampoo makes hair tangled and greasy and can leave it an unflattering shade of red.
TRESemme ColorThrive Brunette Shampoo — This shampoo has several poor reviews, including from users who say it made their scalp itchy.
Aveda Clove Shampoo — Reviewers reportedly say it has left their hair feeling fuzzy and stripped of moisture.
TIGI Bed Head Self Absorbed Shampoo - Reviewers say this shampoo smells great, but that it leaves hair dry and tangled.
TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac Shampoo — Another pick from the same brand, this shampoo is said to make hair feel greasy and weighed down, yet simultaneously doesn’t offer enough moisture to nourish strands.
Burt's Bees More Moisture Raspberry & Brazil Nut Shampoo — This shampoo is said to make hair feel drier at the scalp, but also matted and feeling dirty at the same time.
Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo — Although Bumble and Bumble is a reputable brand, this shampoo failed to impress many reviewers who said it makes their hair feel greasy and flat.
Samy Smooth Shampoo — You might want to skip over this shampoo, which some reviewers say is drying, sticky, and leaves their hair an unmanageable mess — one that not even conditioner can help salvage.
