Study of the Composition of 140 Shampoos: Similarities and Differences Depending on the Sales Channel Used

The study examined 140 shampoos to determine if their compositions varied based on where they were sold: pharmacies, mass-market stores, or mail-order retailers. It categorized the shampoos into four types: gentle, infant-formulated, anti-dandruff, and non-specific claim. The findings revealed that shampoos from pharmacies generally contained fewer allergens, with baby shampoos being allergen-free. Anti-dandruff shampoos from pharmacies also had a wider range of active ingredients. While the cleansing bases were similar across sales channels, there was a notable difference in the number of preservatives and allergens, with pharmacy-sold shampoos having fewer allergens. The study concluded that the term "gentle" does not necessarily mean free of allergens or irritants, and that pharmacy-sold shampoos are less likely to contain allergens listed under Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.