Green Chemistry in Hair Care: A Review on the Formulation, Efficacy, and Safety Profile of Herbal Shampoos

    January 2026 in “ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry ”
    Chetan A Netkar, Divyani J Patil, Harshada G Patil, Ravindra S. Sonawane, Prafull Chavan
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    Studysummary This review suggests that standardized herbal shampoos may offer a safe and sustainable alternative to synthetic products due to their natural saponins and multifunctional benefits, though challenges in consistency and shelf-life persist. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    The review discusses the growing trend in the cosmetic industry towards herbal shampoos, which use plant extracts like Reetha and Shikakai instead of synthetic chemicals such as SLS and parabens. These shampoos provide gentle cleansing, maintain the scalp's natural pH, and offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits. Despite challenges with consistency and shelf-life, advancements in nanotechnology are enhancing delivery systems. The review concludes that standardized herbal shampoos are a safe, sustainable, and effective alternative for modern hair care, highlighting the need for rigorous quality-assurance protocols and further research on standardized extraction methods and green nanotechnology.
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