Sue’s Shampoo Supposition:
Do shampoos that don’t contain silicones also leave buildup in the hair over time? If so, what is it that builds up? I’m wondering specifically about LUSH solid shampoos. I’ve read reviews in which users complain of buildup — but of what?
The Right Brain‘s Reply:
In general, modern liquid shampoos don’t create a buildup problem. That’s a popular belief, but there’s very little scientific evidence to back it up. But could LUSH‘s solid shampoos cause buildup? Theoretically, yes. Let’s take a look at the key ingredients in their Godiva shampoo that make this product a solid.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocoa Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerl Stearate & Peg – 100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid
What does this mean? Some of these ingredients like SLS, you would find in a typical liquid shampoo. But the others are waxy type ingredients that are added only to allow the shampoo to be made into a solid bar. Being waxy type materials, they are not water soluble (if they were too water soluble, the bar would fall apart in the shower the first time you used it.)
Now, since these ingredients are not water soluble, they may not rinse completely from the hair, thus causing the buildup that you mentioned. Regular liquid shampoos would not have this problem since they don’t use these kinds of ingredients. Is that bad? Wouldn’t this waxy stuff also condition your hair? Maybe, but there are much more effective conditioning materials for shampoo systems.
The Brain‘s Bottom Line:
Lush Shampoo Bars are very cool products – they smell great and they’re fun to use. But if you notice build up when you use them, it’s probably because of the ingredients used to make the bars solid.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t know how old this post is but I’m finding it when I’m googling solid shampoo info. Just updating: Lush now uses Sodium Coco-Sulfate only rather than SLS in 2 varieties: Squeaky Clean and Sea-nick. Godiva has a blend of both still and that’s how I found out because I still got an itchy scalp after their sales told me it has the new formula.
I was told by their sales agents (SA) that in place of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and thus less irritating.
However, as Brains point out, SLS is still in the majority of the old formula solids so you have to check the ingredient list.
I don’t use liquid shampoos anymore bec of the SLS which I’m told is what makes shampoo foamy and the scalp itchy for some people. It is absent in the new formula solids. I’m not sure how much it contributes to solids since it’s a basic in liquid shampoos.
So I say solid for convenience and less itchy scalp but make sure you check the ingredients online and thru usage. The paper catalog and sales people get enthusiastic and don’t always verify what they say. The rest you’ll find out from trial and error or thru reviews.
fyi, this site tags or links certain text on submission. I had nothing to do with the hyperlinks. e.g. catalog
http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/solid-shampoos/godiva is the actual godiva link on US Lush
and this one for Seanik
http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/solid-shampoos/seanik
We still keep tabs on old posts. Just so you know, Sodium Coco-Sulfate is not really much different than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Coconut oil is mostly C12 which is Luaric acid. It is made the same way. It’s really just a naming trick that makes people feel better.
If anyone is allergic or sensitive to SLS (sulfates) try Purology Products. They do not have any SLS and are very nice!!! I am not sensitive, but I still use it because it is so great for your hair, not to mention your color!!!
Can we use body gel as a shampoo?
Thank you!