Back of a plain bottle beside reading glasses and a notebook

Reading shampoo labels

The front sells. The ingredient list tells.

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The ingredient list is in order

Under FDA rules, cosmetic ingredients are listed in descending order of how much is in the product. Ingredients at 1% or less, and color additives, may be listed in any order after the rest.

Front of the bottle words

"Volumizing", "thickening", "lightweight", and "for fine hair" are the brand's descriptions. They are not standard terms with a set meaning.

When a shampoo is also a drug

Under FDA rules, a shampoo marketed to clean the hair is a cosmetic. A shampoo meant to treat a condition, such as dandruff, is also a drug. A product that claims to restore hair growth is a drug.

"Ingredients to avoid"

There is no single list that suits everyone. If an ingredient has irritated your scalp before, look for it on the list. Patch test new products. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it, contact a health care provider, and you can report it to the FDA.

Cosmetics are not approved before sale

Except for color additives, the FDA does not approve cosmetics before they go on the market. The maker is responsible for the product's safety and labeling.

How the label is ordered. Most to least.

Sources: FDA, Summary of Cosmetics Labeling Requirements; FDA, Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both?; FDA, How to Report a Cosmetic Product Related Complaint

FAQ

What if water is listed first?

Ingredients are listed from most to least, so water listed first means there is more water than any other ingredient.

What does "dermatologist tested" on a label mean?

It is the brand's claim. We do not know of a set standard for it. Ask the brand what it means.

Where do I report a bad reaction?

To your health care provider, and to the FDA.

General information, not medical advice. Patch test new hair products, keep them out of your eyes, and stop use if irritation occurs. See a doctor or dermatologist about scalp conditions or hair loss.

Two amber pump bottles and a ribbon of creamy shampoo on a dish

Sulfate-free shampoo

What sulfates do, and who skips them.

A clear glossy drop falling from a glass dropper onto stone

Silicones in shampoo

Smooth, but can weigh fine hair down.

Clear shampoo bottle beside a mound of white lather

How volumizing shampoo works

Lighter formulas, cleaner roots.

Now know your hair