Shampoo pH
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My hair stylist told me to use low pH shampoo. I went to the drugstore and looked at shampoo bottles. They weren't very helpful. Many shampoo bottles describe their contents with what I think sounds like coded language for neutral pH: balanced, neutral, blah, blah, blah, but they don't come right out and say "low ph." Ever since then, I've been interested in actually determining the pH levels of shampoos.
What is pH? I had to look it up, so if you'd like to read all about it, see the pH article on Wikipedia. Basically (ha ha ha . . . a pun already!), pH measures the activity of hydrogen ions. Which translates into acidity vs. alkalinity. Alkaline is another word for basic, chemically speaking. Pure water has a pH level of 7 at room-ish temperature. More than 7 is basic or alkaline; less than 7 is acidic. So we're looking for acidic shampoo, although I have a feeling, or shall I say hypothesis, that we want the shampoo to be just a little bit acidic.
If you're reading this, you must be at least slightly interested in shampoo chemistry. While I was doing research on this topic, I came across this interesting article, about the chemicals in shampoo. For example, did you know that baby shampoo doesn't sting babies' eyes because it contains a numbing agent? Fascinating!
On 4/15/14, my first round of testing occurred. I borrowed a pH testing meter from a high school chemistry teacher and tested the shampoos below. I don't feel comfortable about the two outliers.
And finally, I bought a pH Meter
| Shampoo | pH 4/15/14 | pH 1/2/2016 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberto VO5 Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream Moisturizing Shampoo 
| 5.1 | 5.3 | |
| Chi Organics Olive Nutrient Therapy Shampoo | 5.3 | n/a | |
| Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Shampoo 
| n/a | 6.4 | |
| Garnier Fructis Fall Fight Shampoo For Falling Breaking Hair 
| 4.9 | 4.7 | |
| Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Shampoo 
| n/a | 5.0 | |
| Giovanni Colorflage Shampoo Beautifully Blonde 
| 6.0 | n/a | |
| Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo 
| n/a | 5.7 | |
| Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care with Almond Oil 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo + Conditioner 
| n/a | 6.7 | |
| Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo 
| 7.4 | n/a | Outlier -- re-test. |
| Herbal Essences Honey, I'm Strong Strengthening Hair Shampoo 
| 5.9 | n/a | |
| Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Straightening Shampoo 
| 6.0 | n/a | |
| John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo 
| 3.1 | 3.0 | Outlier on both tests. |
| Mineral Fusion Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 
| 5.3 | 5.0 | |
| Nature's Gate Biotin Strengthening Shampoo | 5.9 | n/a | |
| Suave Naturals Shampoo Daily Clarifying 
| 5.3 | 5.0 | |
| Up & Up (Target) Dandruff Everyday Clean Shampoo | 6.0 | n/a | |
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