Is TRESemmé Good or Bad for Your Hair?

TRESemmé is a brand you’ve probably seen in your local store, known for its sleek bottles and promises of salon-quality results. This popular American haircare brand offers everything from shampoos and conditioners to hair mousse and sprays, all at affordable prices.

But here’s the catch: TRESemmé has been in the spotlight for some serious reasons. There are reports of certain shampoos allegedly causing hair loss in some users. This controversy has many wondering: is TRESemmé good or bad for your hair?

In this review, we’re tackling this question head-on to give you a clear answer. Let’s dive in and find out what TRESemmé is really all about!

Quick Answer: Is TRESemmé Good or Bad for Hair?

TRESemmé products are mostly made with synthetic ingredients and contain very few natural ingredients in small amounts. While they can work well for some people, long-term use may lead to buildup, dryness, and irritation, affecting your scalp and hair health.

Another worry is DMDM Hydantoin (in some TRESemmé products), a preservative that releases a bit of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and can cause allergies. Think about your hair type and how sensitive your skin is before choosing TRESemmé products.

Analyzing Common Ingredients in TRESemmé Shampoos

TRESemmé has a wide range of shampoos for various hair concerns and types, promising smooth, silky, and healthy hair. But before you rush out to get your next bottle, you might want to know what’s in these products. Here’s a list of the most common ingredients in TRESemmé shampoos:

Surfactants

Surfactants are the cleansing agents in shampoos that help remove dirt and oil from your hair. Common surfactants in TRESemmé shampoos include:

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Creates a rich lather and cleans effectively but can strip your hair of natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage.
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine: A synthetic surfactant that helps create a lather and reduces irritation from stronger surfactants. However, it has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
• TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate: Helps the shampoo spread evenly and clean your hair. It can be an irritant, especially for those with sensitive scalps. It’s also known to strip color from both natural and colored hair.

Preservatives

Preservatives are used to prevent shampoos from spoiling and to extend their shelf life. Common preservatives in TRESemmé shampoos include:

• Sodium Benzoate: Generally safe, but some people may have sensitivities.
• Phenoxyethanol: Prevents microbial growth but can cause skin irritation in some individuals.
• Disodium EDTA: Prevents product spoilage and helps maintain stability by binding to metal ions.

Conditioning Agents

Conditioning agents help to smooth and detangle your hair, adding shine and reducing frizz. Common conditioning agents in TRESemmé shampoos include:

• Dimethiconol: A type of silicone that adds shine and smoothness but may cause buildup over time, making hair feel heavy and greasy.
• Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: A conditioning agent that helps detangle hair and reduce static.
• Hydrolyzed Keratin: Helps strengthen hair by penetrating the hair shaft, improving elasticity and reducing breakage.

Thickeners

Thickeners are used to give shampoos a rich, luxurious feel and help them spread more evenly. Common thickeners in TRESemmé shampoos include:

• Sodium Chloride: Commonly used to thicken shampoo but can be drying for some hair types.
• Carbomer: Helps to create a smooth, gel-like consistency.
• PEG-45M: A thickening agent that also helps to stabilize the formula.

Fragrance Ingredients

Fragrances, including Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, and Linalool, make the shampoo smell nice, but they can also cause allergic reactions for some users. Also, the exact ingredients in “parfum” are often not disclosed, making it hard to pinpoint what’s causing any irritation

Natural Ingredients & Extracts

TRESemmé shampoos also contain various natural ingredients and extracts, which can provide benefits like added moisture and nourishment. For example, marula oil (Birrea Seed Oil), Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil and glycerin, However, these ingredients are often in smaller amounts compared to the synthetic ones.

DMDM Hydantoin in TRESemmé Shampoos

DMDM Hydantoin is a preservative used in some TRESemmé products to prevent spoilage. It releases small amounts of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, which can cause allergic reactions or irritation in some people. 

While many health authorities consider DMDM Hydantoin safe at low levels, its use remains controversial due to the potential health risks associated with formaldehyde exposure over time.

Although there is no direct evidence linking DMDM Hydantoin to hair loss, it has been associated with scalp irritation and allergies, which could potentially lead to hair shedding in some cases. 

In response to these concerns, TRESemmé announced in 2021 that they would reformulate all products without DMDM Hydantoin. Beginning July 2022, TRESemmé products in the US are made without DMDM Hydantoin. However, they did not recall previous batches containing this ingredient, so there still exists a risk for consumers using older products.

In the UK, TRESemmé has been gradually removing DMDM Hydantoin from their products and replacing it with an alternative ingredient. Most TRESemmé products on the market in the UK now do not contain DMDM Hydantoin. The company maintains that while DMDM Hydantoin is safe to use, they understand some consumers prefer products without this ingredient.

Are TRESemmé Shampoos Good for Your Hair?

While TRESemmé shampoos offer effective cleansing and conditioning, they contain ingredients that may not suit everyone. For example, silicones like Dimethiconol can cause buildup, making hair feel heavy and greasy, though this can be managed with occasional use of a clarifying shampoo. 

TRESemmé shampoos also contain drying ingredients such as sulfates (SLES) which can strip natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. They also have several irritating ingredients that can cause irritation and even allergic reaction, especially on sensitive scalps, potentially leading to hair loss if severe.

However, TRESemmé also offers some sulfate-free options in its product line, such as the PRO PURE Damage Recovery Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Damaged Hair. These products are formulated to be gentler on the hair and scalp, making them a better choice for those with sensitive skin or dry hair.

Taking everything into account, TRESemmé shampoos are not exactly good for your hair, although some people may tolerate them well. If you have sensitive skin, dry hair, or concerns about buildup or irritation, it’s better to avoid them.

What About TRESemmé Conditioners?

TRESemmé conditioners can help make your hair smoother, shinier, and easier to manage with ingredients like silicones, natural oils, and keratin. However, they also share some potential issues with their shampoos, such as buildup from silicones and irritation from preservatives and fragrances. 

If you have a sensitive scalp or are prone to buildup, you might want to use these products with caution and consider using a clarifying shampoo periodically.

A Quick Look at Other TRESemmé Products

Is TRESemmé Hairspray Safe for Your Hair?

TRESemmé hairsprays are generally safer than their shampoos, as they do not contain phthalates or formaldehyde releasers like DMDM Hydantoin. However, they include:

• Denatured Alcohol: Can dry out hair and scalp and is toxic if inhaled.
• Benzyl Alcohol: Can irritate sensitive scalps.
• Fragrances: Known allergens that can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs.
• Propellants: Butane, propane, and isobutane can cause skin irritation.

While generally safe, it’s best to avoid these during pregnancy to prevent irritation.

Is TRESemmé Mousse Bad for Your Hair?

TRESemmé mousses contain ethanol, which can dry out the scalp, and propellants like isobutane, propane, and butane, which can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. Overuse without proper moisturizing can lead to dryness and breakage.

Final Verdict: Should You Use TRESemmé Products?

I wouldn’t personally recommend TRESemmé products. While they can give quick results, the synthetic ingredients can cause various side effects and aren’t great for long-term hair health. Over time, your scalp and hair may suffer due to irritation, buildup, and dryness. Although the brand also offers sulfate-free shampoos, which are gentler, it’s better to choose products with more natural ingredients. Always consider the long-term impact on your hair and scalp.