A couple of weeks ago I was scanning the shelves for a new shampoo and conditioner that looked decent. For me, those two things, along with natural deodorant, are the Last Frontier of organic body care. There are lots of different kinds out there, most of which I’ve used, and some of which I’ve written about on this site. But in the same way I’m not sure if I’ll ever find natural deodorant that doesn’t make me smell like a less-than-delightful mixture of sage and B.O., I’m uncertain that my quest for The Perfect Organic Shampoo is realistic.
My requirements are these: The shampoo should work well and leave me feeling clean, it should smell nice and impart that smell to my hair, and it should be free of parabens, pthalates, preservatives, sodium laurel/laureth sulfates, and fragrance of any kind other than essential oils and botanicals. See? I’m just impossible.
So anyway, I was looking for a new shampoo to try out, and I spied the Green Tea and Fennel Seed Shampoo from Burt’s Bees. I already knew that it didn’t meet my high standards, since it contains fragrance, as well as a couple of other chemicals I wasn’t wild about. Still, I just had to try it. This company is popular, so popular that I have seen entire shelves dedicated to their products at Safeways and drugstores, but I decided not to be one of those people that decides that something is lame just because it’s popular. As it turns out, I should have just followed my instinct toward snobbery.
The offending item in the flesh!
When I used the shampoo, the smell I had enjoyed in the store was actually not so fabulous in the shower. It didn’t lather, which normally isn’t something I complain about, but in this case it was particularly offensive. Actually, when I was done with the shampoo, my hair felt… dirty. Since this was a shampoo and all, I was a little disappointed that I felt dirtier when I was done than when I had started.
I’m not saying I hate all Burt’s Bees products, though, just this particular one. In fact, there are some products they make that I wouldn’t want to live without, like this one, and that one, and especially this one. But do I recommend this shampoo? Not so much.
I’ll keep trying shampoos on the shelves and relating my experiences to you, because that’s what I’m here for. The best organic shampoo I’ve found yet is the Aubrey’s Men’s Stock Shampoo, which I wrote about here. It’s also the cleanest on the market, with absolutely zero offending ingredients. So for now, you can indulge in its minty goodness, and enjoy my adventures in shampooing.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Christine 02.07.07 at 1:31 pm
Next time, try shampoo from EO. Their stuff is great, natural, and uses organic ingredients.
Jody 04.10.07 at 6:19 am
I recently developed a reaction to sodium lauryl sulfate in my toothpaste, so I have been on a quest to replace all my foaming liquid cleaners in my house, including shampoo, with products that don’t contain SLS. I’m glad I read your review, this was one I wanted to try.
I currently use Burt’s Bees Rosemary/Mint shampoo bar. It lathers nicely. I wasn’t thrilled with the scent when I first sniffed it, but the smell is better in the shower. One thing I can say is that after I use it, my hair is squeaky clean and it is difficult to run my fingers through my wet hair. When it dries, though, it is like silk.