Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Argan Oil of Morocco Repairing Shampoo
Summary
Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Argan Oil of Morocco Repairing Shampoo scores 20/100 -- a conventional drugstore shampoo with a 'paraben-free' marketing claim that is technically true but irrelevant. The cleansing base is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate paired with two silicones (Dimethicone + Dimethiconol) for the buildup-then-strip cycle. TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a triethanolamine surfactant with N-nitrosamine contamination risk. Undisclosed Fragrance with 5 itemized fragrance allergens (Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin). Trideceth-10 carries 1,4-dioxane contamination risk from ethoxylation. Tetrasodium EDTA chelator. The genuine plant-oil payload -- Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aloe Vera, Argan Oil -- plus Histidine and Sodium Benzoate as the sole preservative (no MCI/MIT, no phenoxyethanol in the US version) lifts the score above Pantene Classic Clean (15) and Elvive Shampoo (12). Owned by Procter & Gamble.
At a glance
Key ingredients 14
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)Very Bad
The most aggressive mainstream surfactant; primary skin/scalp irritant. EWG 1-2 for environmental persistence but 3 for human irritation.
See more about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) →DimethiconeVery Bad
Silicone polymer; occlusive coating that builds up on the hair shaft and requires sulfate shampoos to remove. Environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.
See more about Dimethicone →DimethiconolVery Bad
Silicone polymer; builds up on hair and requires sulfate shampoos to remove. Environmentally persistent siloxane microplastic precursor.
See more about Dimethiconol →TEA-DodecylbenzenesulfonateBad
Triethanolamine (TEA) surfactant; N-nitrosamine contamination risk when stacked with secondary amines. TEA itself is EWG 5-6.
See more about TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate →Trideceth-10Bad
PEG-like ethoxylated surfactant; 1,4-dioxane contamination risk.
See more about Trideceth-10 →Tetrasodium EDTABad
Chelator; mild penetration enhancer and environmentally persistent. The clean alternatives are sodium gluconate, sodium phytate, or Tetrasodium GLDA.
See more about Tetrasodium EDTA →Fragrance (Parfum) + 5 disclosed allergensVery Bad
Undisclosed fragrance plus 5 itemized allergens (Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin). Coumarin and Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone are particularly sensitizing.
See more about Fragrance (Parfum) + 5 disclosed allergens →Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceVery Good
Acemannan polysaccharides; anti-inflammatory and lightly hydrating. Long clinical track record.
See more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice →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 →Camellia Oleifera Seed OilVery Good
Tea seed oil; high in oleic acid and antioxidant polyphenols. Traditional East Asian hair-care oil that smooths cuticles.
See more about Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil →HistidineGood
Amino acid; helps protect against UV-induced hair damage.
See more about Histidine →Cocamidopropyl BetaineGood
Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant; the industry-standard gentler co-surfactant in sulfate-based shampoos.
See more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine →Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGood
Plant-derived (guar bean) cationic conditioning polymer. The cleanest commercially available cationic. EWG 1.
See more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride →Sodium BenzoateGood
Food-grade preservative; EWG 1-3. Clean choice -- replaces MCI/MIT and phenoxyethanol in the US formula.
See more about Sodium Benzoate →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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