I wish I could stick to using shampoo bars but I keep coming back to liquid shampoos as using a shampoo bar is not always convenient for me. My hair is fine and gets greasy really quickly so I love any shampoo that will keep my hair fresher for longer.
While I already have my favourites when it comes to natural shampoos for oily hair, I haven’t explored all of them yet so recently I’ve decided to try Spearmint & Meadowsweet Scalp Stimulating Shampoo from John Masters Organics. This shampoo purifies the scalp and at the same time, it stimulates it to encourage circulation and hair growth. I picked it as part of a LoveLula Blogger Accredited Program which means I received it free of charge in return for a review on my blog.
This natural shampoo is more on a high-end side as it’s quite pricy and not everybody will be able to afford it but I thought to give it a try to see what I think of it.
Here is a quick overview of this shampoo:
- Does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and other sulphates
- Not tested on animals
- It contains 6 certified organic ingredients but the product is not certified organic as a whole
- Suitable for oily hair and irritated scalp with dandruff
- Soothes and purifies the scalp
- Helps prevent the build-up
- Strengthens the hair and makes it fuller and shiny
Key ingredients:
- Spearmint & peppermint – essential oils that stimulate the scalp and create the cooling sensation when using the shampoo.
- Meadowsweet extract (spiraea ulmaria) – it has astringent properties and helps to prevent hair loss.
- Eucalyptus oil – it has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, helping to reduce dandruff. It may help to promote hair growth too. It adds shine.
- Zinc – it reduces irritation and protects the scalp.
- Soy protein – strengthens the hair follicles.
- Guar gum – a natural hair thickener that smoothes hair and lives it shiny.
The shampoo doesn’t contain sulphates but it does contain Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, an ingredient that creates foam but it could be harsh on your scalp and irritating if you have a really sensitive scalp. I found it ok on my scalp and it’s just something to be aware of.
My experience and review
Initially, when I first started using this shampoo my scalp felt a little bit itchy after a wash but it seems this was just a transitional period when my scalp was getting used to the product. Now, my scalp doesn’t itch anymore after I use this shampoo.
The colour is a bit strange (brown/caramel) which is not a typical colour for a shampoo but I don’t find this a problem.
The shampoo foams really well and it feels quite concentrated so you should use less than you think you will need. In the beginning, I made a mistake of using too much shampoo at once but now I know exactly how much I need. It’s a little bit of trial and error and seeing what works for you.
In terms of the scent, I am not the biggest fan, to be honest. It’s quite a medicinal scent and I can definitely smell peppermint but also other scents in the background. Saying that, I am quite used to it now and it doesn’t bother me at all.
As soon as I apply the shampoo onto my scalp and start massaging it in, I get this cooling, fresh sensation and I can really feel it on my skin. It can be a bit tingly as well.
Be careful not to get this shampoo into your eyes, even near your eyes as it will sting. Quite badly. It happened to me a few times and I just quickly rinsed my eyes under the water to get rid of the sting. I think it’s more irritating to the eyes than any other natural shampoos due to the essential oils it contains.
I found this shampoo cleans my hair really well and what I really like about it is that it helps my hair stay looking fresh for longer. Yay! This is exactly what I was after and this shampoo doesn’t disappoint. I know everybody’s hair and scalp is different but it definitely works for me. With this shampoo sometimes I go a day longer without washing my hair, I just use a little bit of dry shampoo from House of Balm and my hair doesn’t look too bad at all. So if you have oily hair and looking for something that will keep it fresh for longer, I highly recommend this shampoo.
I don’t have dandruff at the moment to comment on how it works for that but if you have an itchy and flaky scalp, it’s no harm trying this shampoo and see whether it works for you. It certainly contains some great natural ingredients that could help your scalp issues.
Petra Nakashian (previously Kravos) is a dedicated natural health and beauty blogger, driven by the loss of her parents to cancer, which led her to meticulously research beauty product ingredients. With over 10 years of experience, her in-depth knowledge has made her a trusted expert in the field. Founder of Be Healthy Now and Green Beauty Talk, Petra recently expanded her expertise with Beauty Insights Hub, exploring a wider range of beauty treatments. Committed to transparency and honesty, her work is a vital resource for navigating the complex world of beauty.
