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Herbal Essences markets its products as including natural extracts and botanicals, but is Herbal Essences good for hair? It’s a question many people have.
After all, Herbal Essences is one of the most popular shampoos and conditioner brands worldwide. Keep reading to find out the truth about Herbal Essences’ ingredients.
What Is Herbal Essences?
Herbal Essences is a well-known hair product company that manufactures shampoos, conditioners, and other products that contain natural, botanical ingredients. Herbal Essences is a good shampoo for most hair types.
However, some users with naturally curly or wavy hair may want to avoid their products. You may have some concerns about whether or not Herbal Essences is the right product for you and may find yourself asking:
- What kind of ingredients do they use?
- Who should use Herbal Essences?
- Who shouldn’t use Herbal Essences?
- What types of hair does the product suit?
Do you have questions about Herbal Essences products or wonder what ingredients they use in their shampoos and conditioners? This article will answer these questions and more.
Popular Herbal Essences Products
MELAKA, Malaysia – MARCH 3, 2019. Herbal Essences shampoo on display shelf at the supermarket/Mohd kamurul hafiz/Shutterstock
Herbal Essences is a popular hair care brand found in stores worldwide. Their products use high-quality ingredients known to nourish and maintain all hair types. Some of the most popular products they sell are:
- Rose Hips Shampoo
- Bio Renew Coconut Milk Shampoo
- Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner
- Passion Flower & Grape Fruit Conditioner
- Jojoba Oil & Lavender Curls Shampoo
- Tea Tree Clarifying Shampoo
- Frizz Control Aloe Vera Sulfate-Free Shampoo
In addition, Herbal Essences sells styling products, dry shampoo, hair oils, and hair masks. The company categorizes its products according to hair types and what the user wants to achieve with their hair.
For example, if you have particularly frizzy or dry hair, there is a specific product that you can use. The same is true for someone who wants to increase their hair’s strength or volume.
Ingredients in Herbal Essences
Herbal Essences products contain a variety of ingredients tested time and time again to ensure consumer quality and safety. Their products have never been proven to be damaging to hair.
Still, if you’re concerned about what ingredients they might use use, we’ve put together a list of the most common ingredients in Herbal Essences products (many of which can be found in most other shampoos and conditioners as well).
Antistatic Agents
Antistatic agents are chemicals that manufacturers use to reduce hair flyaways. They prevent the build-up of electrical charges created by friction.
Surfactants
Surfactants are chemicals that loosen dirt and clean hair strands and the scalp. Two of these are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and lauramidopropyl betaine. They are the primary cleaning agents in any shampoo or conditioner found in most shampoos on the market.
Fragrances
Herbal Essences uses synthetic and natural fragrances in its products, like Coumarin and Limonene. Herbal Essences uses many of the same fragrances that other shampoo brands use.
Botanical Extracts
Botanical extracts are extracts with the ability to nourish hair. They include aloe vera juice, sea kelp extract, passionflower extract, and coconut oil.
Preservatives
Preservatives in hair care products prevent the growth of bacteria in hair products. These include methylchloroisothiazolinone and sodium salicylate.
Potentially Damaging Ingredients in Shampoos
Alona Siniehina/Shutterstock
Herbal Essences uses many of the same ingredients in hair care brands worldwide. But if you’re still concerned, some you may want to be on the lookout for include some of the ingredients below:
- Methylisothiazolinone. Can cause moderately toxic eye, skin, and dermal irritation. It can also be harmful if ingested.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate. It is an ingredient that’s derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol. It may negatively impact color-treated hair.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is a foaming agent in body products, food, and more. It can irritate the skin when mixed with warm water.
- Fragrances. Fragrances like limonene, hexyl cinnamal, and linalool are known to harm some who use them.
Despite these less-than-ideal ingredients, Herbal Essences does offer more natural product line, free from other brands’ harmful chemicals. Dermatologists test these products to ensure they are free from damaging parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils.
So, if you’re interested in trying out a product from Herbal Essences’ line of options, you should feel confident that you won’t damage your hair.
You Might Also Like: What Ingredients in Shampoo Should You Avoid?
Does Herbal Essences Work for All Hair types?
It’s likely that no matter your hair type, there’s an Herbal Essences shampoo for you. The brand appeals to a diverse customer base through its use of natural ingredients and botanicals, especially considering the wide variety of scents and combinations on the market.
They also craft their shampoos, conditioners, and other hair styling products with particular hair types in mind. For example, their “Totally Twisted” and “Tousle Me Softly” lines are designed for curly, thick hair.
They also make shampoos, like their Argan Oil Shampoo, to help restore damaged hair. There are products from Herbal Essences that moisturize, increase shine and moisture, smooth curly hair, and more.
That said, your hair or skin may be sensitive to specific Herbal Essences ingredients, perhaps one or more of those listed above. If so, Herbal Essences products may not be for you. However, for most people, they will be perfectly safe and even beneficial to hair health.
Does Herbal Essences Treat Damaged Hair?
A few Herbal Essences products include botanicals that may help repair your damaged hair. Their hair masks are particularly effective in this kind of treatment. Their products are dermatologist tested and made with botanicals certified by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may have a few more questions about Herbal Essences, damaging hair care products, and what you can expect from using Herbal Essences; we’ll explore a few more of these below.
Is Herbal Essences chemical-free?
Herbal Essences is free of harmful ingredients and chemicals like parabens and sulfates. However, they still use other potentially damaging ingredients like methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
What’s wrong with Herbal Essences?
Despite their array of safe ingredients, there are a few more damaging chemicals found in some of Herbal Essences's product lines. Studies have linked some of these to allergic reactions and eye irritation. They include Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
What’s the safest shampoo to use?
The following brands manufacture some of the safest shampoos on the market: Hello Bello, SheaMoisture, 100% Pure, Yodi, Kelsen, and Annmarie Skin Care. These products are all tested and free from damaging chemicals.
Is Herbal Essences sulfate-free?
Yes, Herbal Essences products are sulfate-free. They are also free of other damaging ingredients like parabens and gluten. Dermatologists test Herbal Essences products to ensure their quality and safety for consumer use.
Is Herbal Essences chemical-free?
Herbal Essences is free of harmful ingredients and chemicals like parabens and sulfates. However, they still use other potentially damaging ingredients like methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
So, Is Herbal Essences Good for Hair?
Herbal Essences hair products are not bad for your hair, but you may find they are not the best option for every hair type. Herbal Essences pays attention to product safety and promotes natural ingredients.
However, a few components may cause unwanted reactions for people with curly, dry, or sensitive hair (or sensitive scalps). In that case, be sure to read our other product review guides to find a product for you.
Or, you can simply take our “what hair products should I use” quiz! It’s super easy to use and takes 30 seconds at most. Simply answer some questions about your hair and we’ll recommend some products to use. It’s that easy!