Why are some shampoos better than others?

Everyone’s hair is different. It’s like asking why are some soft drinks better than others.

It’s a matter of taste and individualism.

It is neither a matter of taste nor individualism for me. For me it is simply about practicality and environmental effects. All I want is a product that works that isn’t silently contributing to the demise of the planet; I don’t care what the bottle looks like or what the brand’s reputation is. I wouldn’t be surprised if hair type is a factor, but there must be other factors at work here. Even the best hair stylists can’t answer this question. Someone out there must know!

Some shampoos are better than others because they have incredibly harmful chemicals in them. Harmful chemicals actually do something. Just don’t use them a lot.

Chances are, if the shampoo is leaving large gobs of wax or oil in your hair, then that’s the main ingredient.

TV has taught me that if it is ph balanced, smells nice, stings while its on you, and doesn’t make you cry, it’s good shampoo.

Hi, I’m a hairstylist.

Shampoos are different chemically in many was.
Surfactants vary wildly from store brand to salon brand. This is the part that actually gets your hair clean. Some shampoos sold in grocery and drug stores have such harsh cleansing agents that they strip your hair of it’s natural oils (and it needs some of them) and color (if the hair is color treated) so they are bad bad bad. They are remarkably similar to the cleansing agent used in dish soap.
Also some shampoos and conditioners actually have plastics in them. Pantene Pro V is a number one offender. It coats your hair in a very fine type of plastic, that’s why it appears so shiny and feels so soft. After lots of buildup though the hair becomes unmanageable and crappy. In the salon we will do a deep cleaning or chelating shampoo service on people who have always used the cheap stuff and it’s pretty gross to see the film crumble off their hair.

Obviously I could list more, I’m pretty passionate about hair, but those are the big ones.
It’s all just chemistry.

If you do not color your hair, and you wear it short and you don’t have “problematic” hair or scalp you can probably get away with the over the counter stuff. If you do color your hair, wear it long or have extra curly, dry or oily hair, better to get in the salon and switch to something that will solve your problems chemically. :)

Good quality of shampoo is generally soap free, pH is well balanced to clean the hairs gently, thoroughly, and safely.
Shampoo comes into contact with the skin, that means the chemicals can be absorbed directly into the body. People conscious of these issues have been looking for a safe alternative to chemical based shampoos, this gave manufacturers idea to manufacture organic shampoo.Organic shampoos are becoming increasingly popular because of their many benefits.
They eliminate the exposure to the harmful synthetic chemicals and alcohols found in regular shampoos. This means they can be used daily without the fear of side effects.

Just about every first ingredient in shampoo is water. I read an article that stated the cheapest shampoo is just as good as the most expensive.

I was my hair with liquid body soap in the shower. It works just as good as having to pay $5 plus dollars for some name brand.