Shampoo: cleansing products for hair and body

Shampoo is a formulated cleanser for hair and scalp, designed to remove oils, dirt and styling residues. Types include daily, clarifying, conditioning, medicated and solid bars; selection depends on hair and scalp needs.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022 Last updated: May 7, 2026

Overview

Shampoo is a personal-care product formulated to clean the hair and scalp by removing sebum, sweat, skin particles and residues from styling products. It serves a similar hygienic role to liquid soap but is adjusted for hair fibres and the scalp’s physiology, with attention to foaming, rinsing and pH. Shampoos are marketed in a variety of forms including liquids, gels, concentrates and solid bars; many routines pair shampooing with a conditioner to restore softness and manageability.

Composition and common types

Typical formulations combine surfactants (cleansing agents), water, preservatives, fragrances and agents that condition or protect the cuticle. Manufacturers vary the balance of ingredients to emphasize mildness, lather, hydration or targeted action. Common categories include everyday gentle shampoos, clarifying formulas for heavy buildup, conditioning or two-in-one blends, anti-dandruff or medicated products and solid shampoo bars intended to reduce packaging waste.

Gentle or daily shampoos for normal use
Clarifying shampoos for heavy oils or product residue
Color-safe shampoos formulated to be less likely to strip dyes
Medicated shampoos containing active agents to address scalp conditions
Sulfate-free and solid bars aimed at milder cleansing or sustainability

History and cultural notes

Practices for cleansing hair have existed for centuries, using plant oils, clays or simple soaps in many cultures. Modern commercial shampoos developed in the 20th century as synthetic detergents (syndets) gave milder, more stable cleansers that lather in hard water and leave less film on hair fibers. Today formulations reflect both cosmetic preferences and scientific knowledge about hair structure.

Use and technique

Shampooing method and frequency depend on hair type, scalp condition, lifestyle and personal preference. A common routine is to wet hair thoroughly, apply a small amount of product, massage the scalp to lift oils and debris, rinse well and repeat only if necessary. Overwashing can strip natural oils for some people, while others find daily cleansing essential. For whole-body cleansing, products labeled as body shampoo or shower gels are formulated to wash skin more broadly and may differ from hair shampoos.

Specialty, safety and environmental considerations

Medicated shampoos and those designed for specific scalp issues contain active ingredients selected for safety and effectiveness; they are often used under guidance when scalp conditions persist. Labels such as "sulfate-free," "pH-balanced" or "dermatologist-tested" indicate formulation choices but do not guarantee a particular result for every user. Environmental concerns have led to concentrated products, refill systems and solid bars that reduce plastic waste. When choosing products, consider the listed ingredients, potential sensitivities and disposal or recycling options for packaging.

Choosing a shampoo

Selection should reflect scalp type (oily, dry or normal), hair texture, whether hair is chemically treated, and any scalp issues such as dandruff or sensitivity. Trial and observation are common approaches: many people try several products to find one that cleans effectively without causing dryness or irritation. Reading labels, testing a small amount when switching brands, and consulting a professional for persistent scalp conditions can help find the most appropriate product.

History

Historically, water and possibly ordinary soap were first used for hair washing. Due to its alkaline pH value, however, it was not very compatible for the scalp and the mucous membrane of the eyes. In addition, soap with calcium ions of the water formed lime soap, which made the hair dull and lackluster after washing. Therefore, after washing with soap, a second rinse was made with diluted acetic or citric acid.

In the 19th century, English hairdressers cooked up the first hair shampoos from soap flakes with water and herbal additives, which gave the hair shine and fragrance. Kasey Hebert is currently considered the earliest manufacturer of shampoos known by name. "Shampooing" was offered in the German-speaking world from the second half of the 19th century as a head wash with massage. From the mid-1870s, there were also relevant "shampooing" machines. Hairdressers usually prepared the detergent themselves, usually as a mixture of eggs with rose water and perfume. For home use, parallel shampoo powders emerged, mixtures of perfumed soap powder with soda or borax. The term "shampoo" has appeared in the German trademark register since 1899 at the latest. In 1903, "Ebert's Shampoo Powder" was registered as a trademark for a powder "for shampooing". However, it was not until the same year that the Berlin hairdresser Hans Schwarzkopf offered his "Shampoon" that it enjoyed lasting success. It was a prefabricated powder, a convenience product that could be used at home and achieved significantly better results than the usual hair washing with soap or soda. In 1927 Schwarzkopf developed the first liquid hair shampoo.

In 1932, alkyl sulfates came onto the market as a substitute for soaps. They are less alkaline and less sensitive to hardness than soaps. Until the 1960s, hair shampoos were sold as white powder in paper sachets or also in tubes as cream ("Schauma" by Schwarzkopf, "Smyx" hair shampoo by Olivin-Wiesbaden).

With the development of alkyl ether sulfates in the 1960s, very skin-friendly hair cleansing products were available for the first time. Together with the development of plastics and plastic packaging bottles, inexpensive and good hair care products were now available to broad sections of the population.

Bottles of shampoo and lotions at the beginning of the 20th century (manufactured by the C.L Hamilton Co. in Washington)

Application

During application, approx. 10 g of shampoo are distributed in wet hair while rubbing with the fingertips on the scalp, so that a fine bubbly foam is formed. After a short exposure time, rinse thoroughly with warm water. The skin lipids formed in the sebaceous glands and the inorganic salts, amino acids, urea and lactic acid, skin particles, environmental dirt and possibly residues of hair cosmetic treatments coming out of the sweat glands with water should be removed in this way.

In Germany, women use an average of 2 to 20 grams of shampoo per wash.

Author

Creation date: November 13, 2022

Last updated: May 7, 2026

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