Extra-Body Shampoo

All hair and skin types.

Almost always the first ingredient listed in water-based products.

Oily scalps, heavy product users and people who like a strong cleanse.

May feel too cleansing for some dry, curly, colour-treated or sensitive hair types. This depends on the full formula and your hair needs.

Most hair types, including those wanting a gentler wash.

Often paired with other surfactants to make a formula feel milder.

People who like a rich, stable lather in their cleansing products.

It is often used alongside primary surfactants to enhance texture and mildness. Its viscosity‑boosting effect can also improve the feel of rinse‑off formulas.

Those who want a thorough, foaming cleanse or need to remove heavier residue.

It is a well‑known sulphate that creates a rich lather and is effective at deep cleansing when used at suitable levels in a balanced formula.

Hair wanting added body, smoothness or temporary strength.

A common protein in repair and volumising formulas.

Most hair types, especially dry or dull hair.

A versatile, well-tolerated conditioning ingredient.

People looking for smoother, easier-to-detangle hair without a heavy silicone feel.

Because it is water-dispersible, it tends to rinse out more easily than many traditional silicones. It is commonly used in both rinse-off and leave-in formulas for added manageability.

Most hair types as part of a balanced formula.

Usually present in small amounts to balance the formula.

Those interested in how a product’s pH affects hair or scalp feel.

It is commonly used in shampoos and cleansers to fine‑tune pH and support consistent texture. Its presence helps maintain product performance and stability.

Those interested in how a product’s texture and lather are achieved.

It is a simple mineral salt that helps create a familiar shampoo feel and can influence how a cleanser spreads through the hair.

Those looking for gentle cleansing or products that create a richer lather.

It is derived from rapeseed fatty acids and is often used to boost foam and enhance the feel of cleansing formulas. It is generally well tolerated in most hair types.

Those using products with essential oils or fragranced blends, as it helps disperse these evenly.

It is widely used as a gentle solubiliser in both leave‑in and rinse‑off products. Its presence can improve product consistency and prevent ingredient separation.

Those in hard-water areas who want shampoos and conditioners to rinse more cleanly.

Chelating agents can support formula consistency and help prevent minerals from depositing on the hair or interfering with product texture. They are widely used in many rinse-off and leave-in formulations.

All products that need a preservative system.

Often paired with other preservatives for broad protection.

Those looking for products with robust preservation, particularly in rinse-off formulas.

It is widely used in small amounts to protect formulas from microbial growth. Some people with sensitive skin or scalps may prefer to patch test products containing isothiazolinone preservatives.

Those needing products with reliable protection against product spoilage.

It is effective in very small amounts to support product longevity. Some people with sensitive skin or scalps may prefer to patch test products containing this preservative.

People who enjoy a scented product.

Fragrance preference is personal. Some people prefer fragrance-free formulas by choice.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.

Those who enjoy subtly scented haircare products.

It is one of the fragrance components that must be listed separately when present above certain levels. People with known fragrance sensitivities may choose to monitor for it.

A fragrance component that must be listed separately on labels because a minority of people can be sensitive to it. Its presence is normal, required disclosure and is not a quality signal.