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B79

Fragrance-Free Shampoo

Desert Essence · Mainstream1 red flagWatch-outSulfate · 19 ingredients · 8 to watch

Fails on sulfate. 8 more ingredients to watch.

Grade

BYour red flags
BConsumer Reports strict
AEvidence only

−6 from evidence · −15 from preference

1 red flag found. Hidden sulfate: Sodium Coco-Sulfate

Ingredients, in label order

Explain every ingredient
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice — Good, Moisturizer / soother. Hydrates or calms the scalp.
  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some, such as lavender, chamomile, calendula and holy basil, are aromatic or known allergens even in 'unscented' products. Evidence: weak.
  • Sodium Coco-Sulfate — Red flag, Hidden sulfate. Made mostly of sodium lauryl sulfate. Often sold under 'SLS-free' claims. Your red flag.
  • Decyl Glucoside — Good, Mild cleanser. A gentle surfactant. Cleans without stripping the scalp.
  • Sodium Chloride — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
  • Coco-Glucoside — Good, Mild cleanser. A gentle surfactant. Cleans without stripping the scalp.
  • Glycerin — Good, Moisturizer / soother. Hydrates or calms the scalp.
  • Panthenol — Good, Moisturizer / soother. Hydrates or calms the scalp.
  • Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
  • Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some, such as lavender, chamomile, calendula and holy basil, are aromatic or known allergens even in 'unscented' products. Evidence: weak.
  • Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some, such as lavender, chamomile, calendula and holy basil, are aromatic or known allergens even in 'unscented' products. Evidence: weak.
  • Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some are aromatic or known allergens. Evidence: weak.
  • Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some are aromatic or known allergens. Evidence: weak.
  • Yucca Brevifolia Root Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some are aromatic or known allergens. Evidence: weak.
  • Salix Alba Bark Extract — Watch, Plant extract. A botanical extract. Some, such as lavender, chamomile, calendula and holy basil, are aromatic or known allergens even in 'unscented' products. Evidence: weak.
  • Benzyl Alcohol — Watch, Scent allergen. A preservative that is also on the EU list of fragrance allergens. Geogard ECT is a trade-name blend that contains it. Evidence: weak.
  • Citric Acid — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
  • Dehydroacetic Acid — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.
  • Potassium Sorbate — Neutral. A structural ingredient, such as water, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an oil or a common preservative. No concern at normal levels.

Watch-outs

  • Hidden sulfateFragrance-free, but it contains sodium coco-sulfate.

Score breakdown

Starting score100
Sulfate (sodium coco-sulfate)−15
Plant extracts−3
Scent allergen (benzyl alcohol)−3
Score79 → B

Where to buy

StoreSizePricePer wash
Brand site—$11.49—

Ingredient source

Brand's own sitedesertessence.com/products/fragrance-free-shampoo