Facts & Myths About Shampoo Performance ''No such thing as natural and/or organic ingredients in shampoo products that clean hair.'' ~~Here's what the experts say about shampoo products: ~Shampoos do good work in their primary job, cleaning hair. Any benefits beyond that are suspect, and many claims on the packaging have no basis in fact. ~Almost all salon lines include products that fall short on advertised claims. For example, while color-enhancing shampoos may otherwise be good hair products, none have actually been shown to extend the life of hair dyes. The same holds true for brands that claim to protect hair from the sun. ~The only part of the shampoo label that's regulated by the Food and Drug Administration is the list of ingredients. That means manufacturers can claim their shampoos add volume or moisturize and not really do any of those things. ~Pricier salon-brand shampoos don't necessarily outperform inexpensive store brands. The same ingredients are often used for products in different price ranges. ~Be aware of shampoos that claim to repair, restructure or nourish damaged hair. Hair is dead; it can't be repaired. Shampoo products can only help the look and feel of hair temporarily. ~Most experts discredit claims that shampoos are organic or all natural, saying natural ingredients can't clean hair. Plus, the efficacy of organic plants, fruits, vitamins, etc. has never been proven. ~It's not necessary to use the same brand for all your hair needs; shampoos, conditioners and styling agents usually don't work together. ~Shampoos do not build up on hair or work differently on hair over time. Conditioning elements, styling products and chemical processes do build up, though, and sometimes necessitate a temporary change in shampoo brands. ~Unless you use an unusually large amount of styling products, it's only necessary to lather your hair once. Also, the amount of lather and foam generated by a shampoo does not affect its ability to clean hair. For months now, rumors have been circulating on the Internet that the shampoo ingredients sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) cause cancer. These ingredients help the cleaning agents in shampoo lather, and are found in nearly every shampoo brand. While some Web sites issue harsh warnings about these ingredients, just as many claim the rumors are untrue. The controversy appears to have started with a study from the Medical College of Georgia; the doctor who conducted the research says his results were completely misquoted. In the course of researching this report, we were intrigued to find that there are many untruths about shampoo commonly accepted by users. For example, analysts say that contrary to what it says on the bottle, there's no need to lather twice when washing your hair. Also, claims that shampoos moisturize hair have little basis. Trying to get a fix on what the best shampoos are took some doing. Interestingly, the only shampoos that do well with both of our top-ranked sources are Pert Plus, Finesse and _style_ Regular Apple, but none of these shampoos make the top of other reviewers' lists. Still, of these three, no shampoo receives such consistent praise as Procter and Gamble's Pert Plus (*est. $3.70 for 15 oz.). Pert Plus' combination shampoo and conditioner formula works best for people with slightly dryer hair, but this brand also appears on reviewers' recommended lists of products for people with normal hair. Other store-brand shampoos that rate well with reviewers include Suave Shampoo Plus Conditioner 2-in-1, Helene Curtis ThermaSilk Heat Activated Shampoo, Pantene Pro V Extra Care and Alberto VO5. No product is mentioned more often in reviews than Neutrogena's Anti-Residue Shampoo (*est. $5.50 for 6 oz.), which is top-picked by no less than five sources. Suitable for all hair types, this product has only basic shampoo ingredients, so it won't build up on hair; reviewers say it works best for folks who alternate it with other conditioning or volumizing shampoos. Paul Mitchell, Redken and Aveda products stand out among more expensive salon brands. Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi Shampoo (*est. $8.50 for 16 oz.) is the least expensive of the salon shampoos and is top-rated by three sources. Author Paula Begoun and the Web site All About Hair say this shampoo is best for normal and dry or color-treated hair. We were unable to find complaints about Awapuhi's ingredients, though one reviewer does say the shampoo can build up on hair over time. Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Shampoo is also top picked in reviews, but some experts say its ingredients can cause scalp problems. This manufacturer's Shampoo Two also receives some positive mentions. Aveda Pure-Fume Brilliant Shampoo (*est. $10 for 8 oz.) also scores well with experts. Both Paula Begoun and the Hair Boutique Web site argue convincingly for this shampoo's performance in short- and long-term use, and claim it's great for all hair types. However, we did not include it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers because it costs twice as much as the Paul Mitchell line. A few reviewers also recommend Aveda's All Sensitive and Rosemary Mint shampoos, but others find fault with these products' ingredients. Active Express Flash Wash Fast-Drying Shampoo (*est. $7.50 for 10.1 oz.), from L'Oreal's Redken line, receives praise from a variety of sources. Testing by Paula Begoun and The Good Housekeeping Institute shows that hair actually dries quicker after using this shampoo. In one case involving particularly thick hair, Active Express reduced drying time by 40 minutes. Reviewers warn, however, that the same ingredients that help hair dry fast can sometimes leave it dried out as well, and that adding styling products to the mix increases drying time. Other highly regarded Redken shampoos include Climatress and All Soft. For dandruff sufferers, reviewers agree the best starting point is Head and Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo (*est. $6 for 25 oz.). Head and Shoulders is among the least expensive brands containing zinc pyridinethione, an ingredient that works to rid the organisms that cause dandruff. Experts say Head and Shoulders isn't always effective, but causes the least amount of irritating side effects. Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo (*est. $12 for 16 oz.) is top-picked by two reviewers, who recommend it for people who can't get dandruff relief from anti-fungal shampoos. Neutrogena contains hydrocortisone and tar coal, which slows the creation of skin cells. In addition to its effectiveness, Neutrogena is among the least expensive brands that contain these ingredients. For consensus report, related websites and comparison chart, see: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/shampoo/fullstory.html [Please send all mail/replies to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ]