Maaiki Is Feeling Flakey:
I was wondering what your opinion is of Burt`s Bees Feelin` Flaky shampoo. Looking over the ingredients list, it looks like they did a good job of avoiding skin irritants (except for the tea tree oil), but since it all gets washed off after a few seconds, I don`t know how much good it could do.The ingredients are, Vegetable glycerin, lemon fruit water, sucrose cocoate, decyl polyglucose, willowbark extract, peppermint leaf extract (organic), willow leaf extract, burdock root extract, nettles leaf extract, yucca schidigera extract, cedar leaf oil, tea tree oil, lemon oil, rosemary oil, juniper oil, peppermint oil, xanthan gum (natural thickener), glucose & glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase.
The Left Brain Gets Indignant:
You’ve discovered one of the shampoo scams that REALLY makes The Beauty Brains mad – false and misleading anti-dandruff claims. Some companies make it APPEAR that their products will control dandruff but they really won’t. The way companies do this may not be strictly illegal, but it certainly is unethical in my opinion. Let’s look at this Burt’s Bees product as an example.
Burt’s Bees Feeling Flaky Shampoo
According to Drugstore.com, the full name of the product is Burt’s Bees Doctor Burt’s Herbal Treatment Shampoo with Cedar Leaf & Juniper Oil. Doctor Burt, huh? I know that the reference is tongue-in-cheek, but that sure sounds medicinal to me! Strike One.
Below the name it describes the shampoo as Feelin’ Flaky? with a question mark. In the context of cleaning hair and scalp, “flaky” is generally the term used to describe a symptom of dandruff. (Itchiness is another symptom.) Hmmm. Strike Two.
And finally the use directions: Wet hair, lather, rinse, then lather and rinse again. Shampoo at least three times a week for maximum effectiveness.” Maximum effectiveness? Again, sounds like they`re promising some kind of sustained effect. If they`re not talking about dandruff, what effectiveness are they talking about? Just getting your hair clean. That`s lame – Strike 3!
While this product, and others like it, don`t overtly claim to control dandruff, they are CERTAINLY making that implication. And that’s the same as lying to consumers.
What’s In A Real Dandruff Shampoo
The truth is, dandruff shampoos contain active ingredients that treat the physiological causes of dandruff. How can you tell if a shampoo is really effective against dandruff? In the US, look for active drug ingredients like Zinc Pyrithione (also known as ZPT.) In Europe and a few other countries, look for Octopyrox on the label. If you don’t see some kind of legitimate active ingredient listed it’s not really an effective dandruff shampoo. Don’t believe everything the cosmetic companies tell you!
The Brains Bottom Line:
You ask “how much good” this product will do for you. Well, it will certainly get your hair clean. The primary surfactants (sucrose cocoate and decyl polyglucose) will see to that. And it won’t dry your scalp out either, those are pretty mild cleansers. But that’s about it. It’s not a medicated shampoo so it won’t help against dandruff.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
this is interesting because my hairdresser used to tell me to add tea tree oil to my shampoo to control any flakiness. was she wrong? v. interesting.
is it possible for dandruff to get worse with dandruff shampoos?
because that’s what appears to happen to me. more flakiness and
itchiness, or maybe my scalp is just sensitive. anybody out there
have this problem?
Ab: Tea Tree oil does have some antibacterial properties but it really won’t work as well as a “real” dandruff shampoo because it doesn’t help break apart the flakes of skin that your scalp sheds.
Vic: You may be have sensitive scalp and not dandruff. Try switching brands and see what happens.
I wouldn’t knock Burt’s Bees products they’ve worked really well for me! Each individual is differant, and products don’t work the same for everyone!
I had psoriasis of the scalp for such a long time and then I found Feeling Flaky from Burt’s Bees, what a differance it has made for me!! With possible being in remission, I’m psoriasis FREE!!!!!! I do know that B.B’s feeling flaky is TOPS for me, it’s too bad that it has been discontinued.
Leona: We weren’t knocking the product itself, in fact, we pointed out that it would make a good non-drying shampoo. Our problem is with the way Burt implies it’s a dandruff shampoo when it’s not. That’s misleading people!
You are way off on the Burt’s Bees Shampoo. It is the only shampoo that has gotten rid of my “flakey scalp”. I don’t think all of their products are miracle workers but their shampoo for dandruff definately is. Unfortunately they have stopped making their shampoo, maybe due to advertisers like yourself?
Christy, the fact that you used the product and your flakey scalp went away could just be coincidental. This doesn’t prove that it works. Based on the best scientific evidence right now, there is no reason it should work on dandruff.
Incidentally, we are not advertisers. We are a blog that writes opinions about products and the scientific claims that they make.
The reason they stopped making the shampoo is because people weren’t buying enough of it. And one of the most likely reasons for this is that people bought it expecting to see a reduction in their dandruff and were disappointed because it didn’t work.
I use Lac Hydrin on my very dry skin. It really “cures” it if used regularly, and at a maintenance level once brought under control.
I have asked them why they don’t make a dandruff shampoo. I have tried diluting it and rubbing it into my scalp one day, but didn’t follow through enough to see a difference.
I’m sure the milk acid would help. What do you think? What other sources of milk acid are there? Buttermilk?
I don’t really know why your saying, “based on the best scientific evidence right now, there is no reason it should work on dandruff.” Excuse me, but I’ve had dandruff since I was eight years old. You may not belive me, I am only a teen. I’ve spent alot of time researching on dandruff and even have my own NATURAL beauty guide book by a certified Herbal Specialist. That shampoo had active ingredients that were natural. I’ve done my research, and all of those herbs are on the top herb list in curing dandruff/dry scalp and assosiated problems. So, I have no idea why you have denied that it doesn’t work…not everything that doesn’t have harsh chemicals like the ones you spoke of work. I know this for a fact because my whole family has suffered from dandruff, including me.
I have suffered with a flaky, scaly, oily scalp for several years. I tried herbal rinses, oils, etc. to no avail. I was so incredibly frustrated by wasting my money, time & hope on things that just didn’t get RID of the flakes.
Then I tried the MADE FROM EARTH Tea + Protein Shampoo, and I was cautiously optimistic. I had read the reviews on the internet, and I really didn’t have anything to lose (except flakes, hopefully).
I actually PRAYED for something to give me much needed relief from the constant flaking & itching. Well, I can honestly say after 1.5 months of using this every 3-4 days, my hair is *almost* completely flake free! Praise the Lord!
This product may seem a little expensive, but for me, it is worth its weight in gold. Honestly, this is the best product on the market for people with seborrheic dermatitis (which is what I believe I have). I HIGHLY recommend it!
you can find them http://www.madefromearth.com/
I see all the comments here, and I have to say, that the Burt’s Bees funny-named anti-flaking shampoo worked better than anything I’d ever tried. With it in my shampoo collection, being used once every two or three weeks in the winter – and usually never in the summer, I never had flakes. Since the product was discontinued, I’ve found no relief from the flakes. Even in summer. I am picky – I don’t want a dandruff shampoo that removes or damages more strands of hair than flakes. So…that said…I’m still searching for an adequate replacement.
Hmm. I know it’s been a while since this conversation began but I’m interested. Burt’s Bees Herbal Treatment Shampoo is the only shampoo that ever worked for my scalp. I’ve tried them all, all of my life, and I’m over 30. I have both dandruff AND sensitive skin. I see so many comments that agree with mine. And I have seen websites for mothers with kids who have psoriasis where many comments have been made that ever since the shampoo was discontinued they can find nothing that was as effective at relieving their child’s scalp condition. I think there may have been lower sales because the treatment is specific to people with sensitive skin AND scalp issues. I found this discussion while looking for the recipe for the shampoo in hopes of finding a way to make it. Looks pretty involved. We may be a smaller group of customers, but when you have a group of people who find relief from harsh shampoo chemicals only in ONE shampoo, you’ve got a LOYAL customer base. I mean, I am still searching for something and would absolutely be a customer for life if they put it back on the shelves. Anyone know how to make this stuff, or how to talk to Clorox (since they bought Burt’s Bees)?
It may not work for the majority but this stuff WORKS.
I think there’s one thing that’s worth pointing out, here: itchy or flaky scalp is *not* necessarily dandruff. Although the word ‘dandruff’ is commonly applied to any disorder with those sort of symptoms, in a more proper definition, dandruff is caused by a fungal infection of the scalp. (Sort of like athlete’s foot.) However, a lot of things can cause itchy, flaky scalp. It could be psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, ‘ordinary’ dry or sensitive skin, or even an allergic reaction to anti-dandruff shampoo!
As Left Brain noted, those of you seeing relief from Burt’s Bees somethingsomething shampoo probably have sensitive scalps that just need a good, mild shampoo.
(to the person below)
My ex- stepfather told me the same thing, and he was a hairdresser, too. I guess there must be SOME science behind it…
If it works, here’s why:
willowbark extract – contains salicylic acid
burdock root extract – contains selenium
tea tree oil – antifungal
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7604759
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19115137