Is the problem my shampoo or my technique?

[isabellerossignol]

I am trying to find a nice shampoo that is soothing for a slightly dry itchy scalp. I've moved towards more 'natural' skincare, for a number of reasons; I like the idea of natural products, I like the smell of them, I find they suit my skin and I like supporting small producers instead of L'Oréal and the like.

But I can't seem to have the same success with haircare. I've tried bars and liquid shampoos. But I find my hair looks great at the front and sides, but at the back of my head and underneath, it just doesn't look clean, it's sort of lank and greasy.

On the one hand, the fact that it looks fine at the front makes me think it's me doing something wrong, but on the other hand, I never had this problem with cheap mass produced shampoos.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

After my dentist told me that the cause of some mouth problems I had were due to an SLS allergy, I switched to SLS free toothpaste etc and that was fine. Around the time that I first became aware of SLS I happened to see a natural, organic SLS free shampoo and conditioner in tk maxx or somewhere and thought I'd try it out (I don't have allergy issues with shampoo or anything). It was probably the worst shampoo and conditioner I've ever used. The shampoo did not seem to fully clean my hair, and the conditioner didn't condition it. I was annoyed as even though I bought it in to maxx, it was still a lot more than I'd usually pay for shampoo and conditioner. That's my only experience though, I've stuck with normal stuff since then.

I could be wrong but sure I read that before you use SLS free shampoo you need to remove all the build up from your hair.
SLS free are often too gentle to remove build up so you could either use a clarifying shampoo or just use your old SLS shampoo for a final shampoo then stop using all products with SLS in them.

Sulphate free shampoos never really cleaned my hair well, it felt like it need a wash even after being freshly washed and dried. I did have a keratin treatment at the time which made my hair extra sleek/shiny (aka easily greasy and limp). In the end I just switched back to normal shampoo.

I have the same problem :(

Faith in Nature products work well for me.
I use the Lavender and Geranium shampoo and conditioner, once or twice a week. I don’t use any other products on my hair (fine and lots of it, drier now I’m older).

Lots of SLS free shampoos leave my hair feeling disgusting - I think because they don't lather properly, but I have a really sensitive scalp and "normal" shampoo gives me dermatitis. I am oily so wash my hair daily.

My current holy grail is this Alba Botanical one. It smells lovely, lathers nicely and no itching.

I swear by Palmer's Coconut shampoo and conditioner. It turned hair from dryandfrizzzy to smooth.

[[https://www.superdrug.com/Hair/Shampoo/Everyday-Shampoo/Palmer's-Coconut-Oil-Formula-Conditioning-Shampoo-400ml/p/335254 Palmer's]]

OP, one thing I think is underestimated is the increase in scalp conditions as one enters perimenopause/menopause. (And other hormonal changes.) (*and the link to thinning hair.) It may not be your shampoo & conditioner causing the problem (although they may exacerbate them.)

Is your hair oily/greasy after a lifetime of normal or dry hair? Has it changed? All of this is more likely hormonal, not what you’re putting ON your head.

Obviously during quarantine you can’t see specialist scalp dermatologists for treatment now, but you can treat the symptoms with Nizoral/Selsun Blue shampoo. (Gross, but they work for the time being.)

In the long run, you may need something to help balance your hormones to stop your heart from thinning. (I would also recommend thinking about whether you have a family history of male and female pattern hair loss and at what age in your family.)

Thanks for all your replies.

Funnily enough I am at peri-menopausal age. I always had very greasy hair when I was younger but it is much less so now. I have an awful lot of hair, it's wavy and when it frizzes, it is a source of some comedy because it's massive. So on that basis, I don't worry terribly about thinning hair because I could actually lose quite a lot and still not have thin hair. My mother is in her late 80s and still has a thick head of hair, and my much older sisters still have thick hair. So I think in that sense, I may be quite fortunate, although I know that's no guarantee.

But I'm reassured to see that others have had similar problems. I recently bought lovely shampoo that was £15 a bottle, so not cheap, and I was so disappointed when it didn't work.

Avalon Organics do a good Lemon Clarifying Shampoo if you need to get rid of build up.

Usually use Faith in Nature shampoo/conditioner. I’ve found a bit of what you mention about side’underneatg not washing as effectively. To counter this I have taken to a top I got from my previous hair dresser.

Basically work up a lather in your hands and apply the lather/bubbles to your hair. Never let liquid shampoo touch your hair. Go in from all angles (front, sides, back) from the hair line, then split your scalp/ hair in half first vertically, then horizontally and go in in both directions from the midline. This makes sure you lather all the roots.

It helps a lot to protect hair by combing a little conditioner through wet hair before washing as well as after. This protects the hair and also makes it easier to section other without tangling.

I was dubious about a bar shampoo because I had read so many things about them being difficult and leaving hair lack or greasy. Finally tried a Soul and Soap one and they are great - they smell delicious, make a really good lather and last for ages. Highly recommended. I switched straight from normal "whatever was on offer at the supermarket" shampoo and had no issues at all. I have fine hair that is prone to greasy root and drier ends and my hair is in much better condition than it has ever been. Bonus is you don't need a separate conditioner.

Watching with interest as I’m at my wits end with natural shampoos/conditioners and on the verge of going back to Pantene and that ilk.

What about Aveda? They're really good and very natural. I used their rosemary and mint shampoo this morning. It's a clarifying one cos I wanted to get rid of the build up from my styling product. I agree about perimenopause. My hair has definitely changed in the last few years.

Just to say that “natural” isn’t always the best option, as they are often full of essential oils which can be highly irritating. (Even more so than “fragrance” which is usually listed right at the bottom of the inci list with other products. You may be better off with a product formulated for sensitive scalps.)

That’s a good point about fragrance @justilou1. Faith in Nature do very good fragrance free shampoo & also conditioner, so it’s not necessary to sacrifice ‘natural’ for ‘fragrance free‘.