What Goes Into Curly Hair Shampoo

Choose Your Curly Hair Shampoo Confidently As We Run Through What to Look For

When it comes to caring for curly and textured hair, there’s no such thing as one size fits all. Every curl pattern, porosity level, and scalp need is unique and understanding this is the first step to finding a shampoo that truly supports your hair. 

Choosing the right formula means looking beyond marketing buzzwords and getting to know the ingredients inside the bottle.

Here we break down the good, the bad, and what makes Shedid & Parrish Deep Cleansing Shampoo a trusted choice.

It first helps to understand what is required to formulate a Shampoo.  At the very least it requires water, a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a preservative. 

Other ingredients can be added depending on need but the below are you must haves

1.      Surfactant - (short for surface-active agent) is a cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt, oil, and build-up from your hair and scalp. It works by lowering the surface tension between oil and water, allowing water to rinse away grime.

2.    Co-Surfactant – Is a secondary surfactant which improves the products cleansing and foaming performance.

3.     Preservative – is an ingredient that stabalises the product and ensures that the product remains fresh & safe to use throughout its life.

🧴 5 Key Ingredients That Make a Good Shampoo for Curly Hair

1. Coconut-Derived Surfactants
   Gentle cleansers like Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside & Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate which effectively remove build-up without stripping natural oils, keeping curls hydrated and soft.
2. Aloe Vera
   A natural humectant that soothes the scalp and locks in moisture, making it ideal for dry, frizz-prone curls.
3. Glycerin
   Helps attract moisture from the air into the hair shaft, supporting elasticity and reducing breakage.
4. Plant-Based Oils (e.g., Argan, Jojoba, Sunflower)
   Rich in vitamins and fatty acids that nourish, protect, and add shine without weighing curls down.

5.           Hydrolyzed Proteins (e.g., Wheat, Rice)
   Strengthen the hair cuticle, help maintain curl structure, and reduce frizz by minimizing moisture loss.

🚫 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo for Curly Hair

1. Sulfates (e.g., SLS, SLES)
   Harsh detergents that strip natural oils, leading to dryness, breakage, and loss of curl definition.
2. Silicones (e.g., Dimethicone)
   While they give the illusion of smoothness, they build up over time, blocking moisture and causing dullness unless properly removed.
3. Alcohols (e.g., Isopropyl Alcohol)
   Drying alcohols can dehydrate curls, leading to brittle hair and a flaky scalp.
4. Parabens
   Preservatives linked to scalp irritation and potential hormone disruption — best avoided in clean beauty.
5. Artificial Fragrance
   Often a mix of undisclosed chemicals that can cause irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions.

🌿 Why Shedid & Parrish Deep Cleansing Shampoo Has The Edge

At Shedid & Parrish, our Deep Cleansing Shampoo is formulated with care, consciousness, and curls in mind. The Health of your curls is our first priority, so everything within the formulation has curls at its heart.  It features:

• Neutral pH — Balanced to match your scalp’s natural level, supporting a healthy barrier and reducing irritation.
• Coconut-derived cleansing agents — Effective but gentle, perfect for removing buildup from styling products without stripping moisture.
• Plant-based ingredients — Calms, hydrates, and nourishes curls from root to tip.
• Free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens — Clean, kind, and curly-hair-approved.
• Detangling Agent Polyquaternium-47 – That helps improve wet detangling, reducing breakage & shedding

💡 Final Thoughts for Your Curly Shampoo Choice

Your hair is unique — and so are its needs. Some curls crave moisture daily, others thrive on a once-a-week cleanse. The key is listening to your hair and choosing products backed by ingredients that support your goals, not sabotage them.

At Shedid & Parrish, we believe that knoweldge is empowerment. The more you understand your hair and the products you use, the better choices you can make.

To find out more about our specific ingredient list, take a look on the back of your bottle or read our website www.shedidandparrish.co.uk where we list everything in full for transparency.