Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Smoothing Shampoo
Summary
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Smoothing Shampoo scores 22/100 -- a conventional drugstore shampoo with an unusually rich 'active payload' for the category that lifts it slightly above Pantene Classic Clean (15) and Herbal Essences Argan Oil (20). The active stack is genuine: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6), Argan Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Green Tea Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, three hydrolyzed plant proteins (wheat, corn, soy), and Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein (clean cationic conditioner). Uses Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate as a ferment-based co-preservative. But all of that sits on top of: Sodium Laureth Sulfate primary surfactant (1,4-dioxane risk), Cocamide MIPA isopropanolamine booster (nitrosamine risk), Amodimethicone silicone microplastic precursor, two PEG ingredients (PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate + PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil -- both 1,4-dioxane risk), Phenoxyethanol, and two synthetic dyes (Yellow 5 + Red 4) used to color the contents green. Fragrance discloses 3 itemized allergens (Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal). Owned by L'Oréal.
At a glance
Key ingredients 18
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)Very Bad
Ethoxylated sulfate cleanser; carries documented 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B probable human carcinogen) contamination risk from the ethoxylation manufacturing step. EWG 3-6.
See more about Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) →Cocamide MIPABad
Isopropanolamine surfactant booster; same ethanolamine class as the CA-Prop-65-flagged Cocamide MEA. N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with secondary amines.
See more about Cocamide MIPA →AmodimethiconeVery Bad
Modified silicone with the same buildup/persistence issues as dimethicone, plus a cationic charge that makes it bind more tenaciously to the hair shaft.
See more about Amodimethicone →PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate + PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilBad
Two polyethylene glycol esters; both carry 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation. Penetration enhancers.
See more about PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate + PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil →Yellow 5 + Red 4 dyesBad
Two synthetic petroleum-derived dyes used purely to color the contents green. No functional benefit to the hair or scalp.
See more about Yellow 5 + Red 4 dyes →PhenoxyethanolBad
Synthetic preservative; EWG 4. EU restricted in baby products; potential dermal irritant.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →Fragrance (Parfum) + 3 disclosed allergensVery Bad
Undisclosed fragrance plus 3 itemized allergens (Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal).
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + 3 disclosed allergens →Coco-BetaineGood
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; gentle co-surfactant.
See more about Coco-Betaine →Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)Very Good
Well-tolerated and broadly evidence-backed for calming inflammation, supporting the skin barrier, and reducing sebum dysregulation.
See more about Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) →Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6)Good
B-vitamin; supports keratin and sebum metabolism. EWG 1-2.
See more about Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6) →Argania Spinosa Kernel OilVery Good
Cold-pressed argan oil; rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids plus tocopherols and squalene. Penetrates the hair cuticle and reduces protein loss.
See more about Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil →Tocopherol / Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)Very Good
Lipid-soluble antioxidant; stabilizes oil phase and protects hair lipids from oxidative damage.
See more about Tocopherol / Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) →Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf ExtractGood
Catechin-rich antioxidant; EGCG has documented anti-inflammatory and scalp-protective activity.
See more about Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract →Hydrolyzed Wheat / Corn / Soy ProteinsGood
Three plant-derived hydrolyzed proteins; provide cuticle-binding amino acids similar to hydrolyzed keratin.
See more about Hydrolyzed Wheat / Corn / Soy Proteins →Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon ProteinGood
Lemon-protein-derived cationic conditioning agent; cleaner than petroleum-derived dirty quats.
See more about Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein →Leuconostoc / Radish Root Ferment FiltrateVery Good
Ferment-derived antimicrobial; clean alternative preservative, EWG 1.
See more about Leuconostoc / Radish Root Ferment Filtrate →Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit ExtractGood
Apple extract; mild antioxidant and humectant.
See more about Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract →Sodium BenzoateGood
Food-grade preservative; EWG 1-3.
See more about Sodium Benzoate →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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