Honest Shampoo + Body Wash, Sensitive

A sulfate-free and tear-free gentle cleanser formulated with Aloe Vera and calming botanicals to nourish sensitive scalps and delicate hair.

Performance Rating: 4.3

This formula utilizes a sophisticated blend of mild, plant-derived surfactants (such as Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate) instead of harsh sulfates. This ensures a gentle cleanse that retains natural oils, making it excellent for dry, curly, or fine hair. The inclusion of high-quality conditioning agents like Aloe Vera, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Glycerin, and Sodium PCA provides significant hydration and manageability. While excellent for daily use, the gentle surfactant profile may require a double-cleanse to remove heavy styling product buildup.

Safety Rating: 4.8

The safety profile is exceptional. It is free from sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, which are common irritants. The formula relies on botanical extracts (Calendula, Chamomile) and safe, gentle preservatives (Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Benzoate) rather than formaldehyde releasers or isothiazolinones. The use of Aloe Leaf Juice as a primary ingredient adds a soothing element, minimizing the risk of scalp irritation or allergic reactions.

Final Rating: 4.5

This is a high-quality, gentle shampoo likely formulated for sensitive skin, babies, or those seeking ‘clean beauty’ standards. It avoids almost all controversial ingredients while maintaining a functional cleansing system supported by robust moisturizing factors. It is an excellent choice for maintaining scalp health and hair hydration, though those with extremely oily scalps might prefer something stronger.

Verdict

This formulation represents a high standard in gentle cleansing, prioritizing the health of the moisture barrier over aggressive degreasing. The ingredient list is immediately impressive due to the inclusion of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice right after water. This indicates that the base of the product is inherently soothing and hydrating, rather than serving merely as a solvent. Unlike traditional shampoos that rely on harsh sulfates like SLS to strip the hair, this product utilizes a sophisticated blend of mild, amphoteric, and amino acid-based surfactants such as Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. These agents are celebrated for their ability to produce a creamy, rich lather that lifts away dirt without disrupting the scalp’s natural lipid layer.

The inclusion of botanical extracts reinforces the product’s suitability for delicate skin. Calendula and Chamomile are well-documented for their anti-inflammatory properties, making this formula an excellent choice for mitigating scalp redness, itchiness, or symptoms of eczema. Furthermore, the addition of Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and Sodium PCA ensures that moisture is effectively drawn into the hair shaft and retained. These humectants improve hair elasticity and softness without creating heavy buildup. The presence of Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride acts as a gentle conditioning agent, providing necessary slip to aid in detangling and reducing static electricity, which is particularly beneficial for fine or unruly hair textures.

From a safety perspective, the formulation is modern and conscientious. It employs a preservation system using Caprylhydroxamic Acid and Sodium Benzoate, avoiding controversial ingredients like parabens or formaldehyde releasers. The absence of a generic “Fragrance” or “Parfum” listing suggests it is less likely to trigger contact dermatitis, relying perhaps on the Coconut Fruit Extract for a subtle, natural scent. While this shampoo is likely too gentle to remove heavy silicone buildup or styling waxes in a single wash, it is an exceptional choice for daily maintenance. It is robust enough to clean effectively yet mild enough for babies, children, and adults with hypersensitive skin.

Who Is This Product For?

Who Should Avoid This Product?

Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Water (Aqua) / 水

Purpose: Solvent; base for the formulation.

Concerns: None.

Notes: The primary ingredient in most liquid shampoos.

📁 Surfactants & Cleansing Agents / 表面活性剂与清洁剂

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine / 椰油酰胺丙基羟基磺基甜菜碱

Purpose: Amphoteric surfactant; foam booster and conditioning agent.

Concerns: Generally considered safe and mild.

Notes: Helps improve the mildness of the formulation.

🧪 Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate / 月桂基葡糖苷羟丙基磺酸钠

Purpose: Mild cleansing agent derived from sugar.

Concerns: None; considered very gentle.

Notes: A greener alternative to harsh sulfates.

🧪 Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate / 椰油酰谷氨酸二钠

Purpose: Amino acid-based surfactant.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Very mild and leaves a soft skin feel.

🧪 Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate / 椰油酰羟乙磺酸钠

Purpose: Surfactant; provides creamy lather.

Concerns: None; known for being gentle on skin barrier.

Notes: Often called ‘baby foam’ due to its mildness.

🧪 Coconut Acid / 椰油酸

Purpose: Surfactant precursor / Emollient.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Often present in Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate blends to add richness.

📁 Conditioning Agents, Moisturizers & Extracts / 调理剂、保湿剂与提取物

🧪 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice / 库拉索芦荟叶汁

Purpose: Soothing and moisturizing agent.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Great for sensitive scalps.

🧪 Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract / 金盏花提取物

Purpose: Botanical extract; soothing.

Concerns: Rare potential for allergy in those sensitive to Asteraceae family.

Notes: Calms irritated skin.

🧪 Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract / 母菊(洋甘菊)花提取物

Purpose: Botanical extract; anti-inflammatory and soothing.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Adds shine and soothes scalp.

🧪 Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract / 椰子果提取物

Purpose: Moisturizer / Conditioning.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Provides hydration.

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant; draws moisture to hair.

Concerns: None.

Notes: A standard, effective moisturizer.

🧪 Panthenol / 泛醇 (维生素B5原)

Purpose: Pro-Vitamin B5; strengthener and moisturizer.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Penetrates hair shaft to improve elasticity.

🧪 Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride / 瓜儿胶羟丙基三甲基氯化铵

Purpose: Antistatic and conditioning agent.

Concerns: Buildup potential if used in excess, though generally water-soluble versions are fine.

Notes: Provides slip and detangling, derived from Guar gum.

🧪 Sodium PCA / PCA 钠

Purpose: Skin-identical humectant.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Highly effective at binding water.

📁 Preservatives, Stabilizers & Chelators / 防腐剂、稳定剂与螯合剂

🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant and preservative booster.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties.

🧪 Caprylhydroxamic Acid / 辛酰羟肟酸

Purpose: Chelating agent and preservative.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Fungi-static agent, works well at neutral pH.

🧪 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate / 乙二胺二琥珀酸三钠

Purpose: Chelating agent.

Concerns: None.

Notes: A biodegradable alternative to EDTA; binds metal ions to stabilize the formula.

🧪 Sodium Benzoate / 苯甲酸钠

Purpose: Preservative.

Concerns: Generally safe; effectiveness relies on acidic pH.

Notes: Food-grade preservative commonly used in natural products.

📁 Thickeners & pH Adjusters / 增稠剂与pH调节剂

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠 (食盐)

Purpose: Viscosity increasing agent (thickener).

Concerns: Can be drying if concentration is very high, but usually safe.

Notes: Works synergistically with surfactants to thicken the liquid.

🧪 Glutamic Acid / 谷氨酸

Purpose: pH adjuster / Humectant.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Amino acid that helps balance the formulation.

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Used to ensure the shampoo is pH balanced for the scalp (around 5.5).