Cindi says…My stylist keeps pushing “color-protecting” shampoo and conditioners at me. I was under the impression that no products like these could really help keep color lasting longer. Are there any kinds of shampoos and/or conditioners that really work better for color-treated hair?

Left Brain’s colorful reply.
You are right to be skeptical. The fact is most “color-protecting” products are really not much different than the regular products. You can see this by simply taking a look at the list of ingredients (LOI).

Let’s do a comparison of a salon brand, their color SKU versus a non-color one…

Paul Mitchell Color Protecting Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidoproply Betaine, Cocamide MEA, , Polyquaterium-44, Pathenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch Protein, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerine Stearate, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Extract, Dimethicone Bisamino Hydroxypropyl Copolyol/Hedychium Coronarium (White Ginger)/PEG-12 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Bisamino Hydroxypropyl Copolyol/Algae/Aloe Barbadensis Leaf/Athemis Nobilis/Lawsonia Inermis (Henna)/Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)/Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary)/PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Steareth-4, Fragrance(Perfum), Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, DMDM, Hydantoin, Iodpropynyl Butylcarbarmate

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate. Isoceteth-20, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-150 Distearate, PEG-3 Dioleoylamidoethylmonium Methosulfate, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-10, Triethyl Citrate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone/Algae/Aloe Barbadensis Leaf/Anthemis Noblis/Lawsonia Inemis (Henna)/Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)/Rosmarnus Officinalis (Rosemary)/PEG-12 Dimethicone, Fragrance (Parfume), Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

But if we remove things like fragrance, preservatives, claims ingredients and adjusting ingredients we’re left with…

Paul Mitchell Color Protecting Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidoproply Betaine, Cocamide MEA, , Polyquaterium-44, Glycol Distearate, Steareth-4

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate. Isoceteth-20, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-150 Distearate, PEG-3 Dioleoylamidoethylmonium Methosulfate, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10

They are still a bit different but not much. The most important thing is that the first 2 ingredients are the same (water & sodium myreth sulfate) and so is the secondary surfactant, Cocamidopropyl Betaine.

Unfortunately, neither of these products will protect your hair color much. Actually, the Super Skinny shampoo would probably work better for protecting color because it has silicone and conditioning agents in it. The only shampoo products that have shown some color protection are Tresemme and L’Oreal Colorvive shampoos. And even these products aren’t great because you still lose most of your color.

From a conditioner standpoint, there are no standard rinse conditioners that help protect your color. Your best bet is to use a leave-in conditioner spray. This will allow you to get the benefit from the conditioning agents without the negative effects of rinse water.

Beauty Brains bottom line

Protecting color from the damage caused by washing, heat and the environment is one of the hottest areas of research in the cosmetic industry. It seems there are papers published every month about the subject and no one has figured it out just yet. The shampoos and conditioners out there now won’t live up to their promise. Right now, your best bet for keeping your color is to wash less often and use a leave-in conditioner.