Product Reviews Rated 4.47 out of 5 stars
243 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review great ingredients So, I am a 24 year old male that always thought my hair loss was purely hormonal and there was nothing I could do about it besides try and alter those hormones. This is because I keep my stress low, eat healthy foods, stay active, and use what I THOUGHT to be good haircare.
Then I got deep into a forum and saw posts of people discussing something ELSE besides DHT, calcification or other build up of some sort, that they were trying to treat with diluted magnesium oil. I wish I could find the post.
I have very dry, wavy curly hair and it seemed that neither traditional shampoos (sulfates, silicones) nor the curly-girl approved haircare made any difference, but curly-products at worst would build up and make it a little limp, but the traditional would really make my hair a weird texture and lose its curl while remaining very frizzy. Plus, who KNOWS what's in them.
I did find that on day-2 or 3 no washing my shedding would get really bad. Like, 3-4 hairs every time I run my hand through my head, without fail. I also sweat multiple times a day. I always heard that shampooing was bad for your hair, but what about my scalp? If nasty things (DHT, or not) were building up and causing this shedding, I would need an effective shampoo for my scalp that wouldn't disrupt the acid or moisture barrier.
Upon realizing my curly girl "moisturizing" shampoos all had butter or oil (this can not only make finer hair like mine limp, but keeps moisture from getting in the hair too!) I knew I had to try to switch things up.
So my plan was too use a steroid, prescription, protein, butter/oil-free scalp-clarifying shampoo. I use COSDNA.com for all of my cosmetics as well. I learned what sulfate-derivitives (altered to be less harsh than their detergent cousins) would be safe from them and settled on trying Derma-e Scalp Relief Shampoo. It met all of my criteria.
And boy, was I right.
I was disappointed at first. I did the same thing I usually do cleanse, rinse thoroughly, apply my conditioner, rinse thoroughly, lightly blot with a t-shirt, and use my hair cream through the nearly-sopping-wet hair, adjust the position of the "clumps" and wait for it to dry until it was 80-90% done, then diffuse (sometimes I skip that). Sometimes I'll use an unscented body powder and/or a sea salt spray if it's too limp or greasy. I use a homemade toner on my scalp and face (spraying it on fingertips and massaging it for the scalp). It's just rosewater and witch hazel (any brand, in a dark glass spray bottle, at about a 6:1 ratio).
That night, I was watching tv with my mom and sadly pulling out my hair at the same rate as before. Worse still, my scalp kind of itched MORE. But, my hair did look a little cleaner and the build up was gone, and it was a little less frizzy! So that was good.
I didn't think about it much, until the next week. I started running my hands though my hair again, expecting the sad usual. Nothing. I tried again... nothing. I sorta bug-eyed at my hand, and went to sleep.
The next day, and from then on, I have been losing almost NOTHING. Even in the shower, I only lost two-three hairs. Throughout the day, I probably lose a total of 10-20. But that is nothing compared to the 150+ I was losing before. I did look at the directions and it did say that it's most effective after 7 days, so that made sense to me.
I really still can't believe it. It's been three weeks total and still getting the results.
I am not affiliated and I NEVER leave reviews, but I am putting this out there because, a.) it could help someone that had the same problem as me and b.) with more sales, perhaps the chance of them discontinuing it will lower!
I think my problem was more complex than just DHT. From what I gathered, "it" all ends up on the scalp, and if you take care of that, the damage could be stopped or minimized. I was about to risk it all and start using dht-blocking supps and foods... I'm so glad I tried this first.
I think my hair loss will continue, as the hairs I do lose are in the "MPB" areas, but whatever problems that were caused from my scalp health (diffuse, but HEAVY thinning) have completely stopped and slowed the process down incredibly.
In terms of texture and aesthetics, my hair has never looked so good. It's got bounce and wave, stays frizz-free but still voluminous for a long time. I could go 4-5 days without washing it, but I don't because of my active lifestyle and the fact it's gentle enough to use daily.
I do love the hair cream and the toner I use, but I was using both of these things before the results came. I really think it's the shampoo.
The slight itchy feeling after showers that goes away after 1-2 minutes hasn't stopped yet, but I suspect it will and it's a small price to pay for the results.
With it being such a minimal formula, I don't think the chance of it messing up your hair routine is high, unless you have a sensitivity to skin-safe essential oils (I believe it uses tea tree, neem, and chamomile among others).
I think it's worth a try for just about anyone. Try it for a few weeks, and be the judge. Take care of your scalp, and see what happens.
Peace and blessings! :)
Most Helpful Critical Review Do NOT Recommend The reviews were promising about this shampoo, but the reviews were wrong. This shampoo left my hair with a greasy film on it, and it made it seem like I didn't wash my hair AT ALL. My roots were still greasy and I couldn't even get a comb through it after. I was extremely disappointed in this shampoo. I added no other products to my hair and let it dry over night, and when I woke up my hair was greasy and fell into chunks (if that makes sense). I was so disgusted when I woke up I had to re wash my hair with a new shampoo.
Reviewed by 243 customers Really like this 5
Curly_girl_AZ from Arizona
Found it worked much better than the Curlsmith scalp line. Love the smell.
I always make sure I stock up on this shampoo 5
Terri from Undisclosed
I found this shampoo about 3 years ago. I had a severely dry scalp for almost 30 years and have tried every shampoo and scalp treatment there is. This is the only thing that has worked. I can't stress how much this shampoo has changed my life. Seriously!
Not great for dandruff 1
Daphne T from Atlanta
I have always had dry skin and and dry, flaky scalp without the assistance of a dandruff shampoo. I bought this product because I wanted something with better ingredients and was cruelty free. However, it did not help with my dandruff. I understand that some have had success with this shampoo when also using the conditioner and scalp treatment with it. However, I have always managed my dandruff without any extra products. I would rather buy a $30 dandruff shampoo that works than use three products to manage it.
Good for scalp, hair meh 4
JRP from York
This cleared my itchy, flaky scalp after one use, but it made my hair a bit dry and tangled.
I think it's a bit to harsh for my hair, but it worked well on my scalp.
I try to use it once per week.
If you let it sit on your scalp for at least 10 minutes, it will tingle.
Works great the first time but then made my scalp worse 1
Bethany from Kansas City
I thought I had found a gem after the first use. No flakes, itching, etc. After the second wash? Not as great but still good. After the third and fourth? My scalp is worse than it was prior to using. Very disappointed and do not recommend.
So far, so good 5
Piper Blu from Washington
I tried to do the wash your hair less and was down to washing only twice a week. This did not work for me, I got dandruff soooo bad. But I stuck it out for nearly 2 months thinking my scalp would adjust and get better. NOPE NOPE NOPE. I did some research and decided to try both the shampoo and conditioner and even got the scalp treatment. I can only attest to the shampoo and conditioner as I haven't tried the other stuff yet. I love it. It feels nice and tingly on my scalp. It is kind of a pain cause you have to leave both on your hair for a certain amount of time so it adds to shower time. But there has been significant improvement for my scalp. I've only been using it a couple weeks and I wash my hair every other day, but I like the improvement. i still have some flakes. Also it should be noted that I use a hair scalp massager too.
Effective and soothing! 5
Tiffany from Undisclosed
So soothing and no more itchy, flakey scalp. A godsend!
Ehhhh - okay I guess 3
MamaToAB from 94510
I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis, and was ready hoping to find something that smells decent and helps. After reading some reviews, I thought I would give this a shot. The smell is pleasant, however this did nothing for me.
Stopped the itch! 5
Anna from Minnesota
This stuff works great. My scalp itchiness is 100% better after a few weeks of use. Honestly it worked after the first use.
Also, I'm prone to eczema on my face, but I have not noticed any breakouts with using this!
LOVE 5
Donna from Petaluma
This stuff is amazing (got the conditioner and oil)! I saw results immediately! Dry itchy scalp gone! Will definitely be buying more!
Amazing for itchiness but I need to mix it up 5
Aperson from San francisco
This shampoo and conditioner are the first I've ever found that doesn't irritate my scalp after about it a month. I strongly recommend it.
That said, it's been my go to shampoo for a year and I've been having issues with scalp build up and my hair getting greasy faster - I clearly need to mix it up.
But I'll come back to it, for sure.
Finally something that works for my oily and dry scalp 5
Mosh pp from Los ángeles
I have tried everything for my dandruff prone thinning hair, this shampoo has been the first that has worked for me. I would invest in derma e at this point lol because everything I have tried from them has been great. My hair has fallen out less with this shampoo.
First use 4
new user from montana
I used the shampoo, conditioner, and scalp oil for the first time today. It definitely made my scalp tingly, and almost numb for several hours. Definitely no itching during that time. I'm not yet convinced that it will work as well as a coal tar shampoo that my dermatologist recommends, but it certainly smells better and doesn't make me sick to my stomach.
Fixed my itchy scalp 5
Hijabi Alex from Maple Grove, MN
This shampoo really helped my itchy and dry scalp, especially in the winter months. Would definitely recommend for dandruff too. I would say to for sure follow the directions and leave on scalp for 5 min before rinsing out, it felt nice and tingly and really helped treat the scalp.
Gunna be a no from me dawg 1
Mandy from Wi
I love Derma E but this shampoo and conditioner didnt work out for me. I was super excited the first night, my hair felt so soft and clean. The second time felt drier and my roots got greasy real fast. The third time the same. Decided not to continue regular use, might be a good every so often. My scalp is dry so I should've known this probably wouldn't work. I'm sure this is a good shampoo for those with actual dandruff and scalp issues though.
I will buy this again 5
Bella from Vermont
Used both the shampoo and conditioner and really got scrubbed it into my hair using a shampoo brush.
Effective, but question the color-safe 3
Kate from Overland Park, KS
I like the smell and feel of this shampoo and it does relieve my itchy scabby scalp, but it seems to me that after a couple of uses my freshly colored hair does not look so freshly colored anymore.
Dermatologist recommended this to me 5
Laur from Rancho Cucamonga , calif.
lather Let it sit for five minutes then repeat. I follow with the Derma e conditioner. I have been able to sleep through the night for the first time in years. It worked the first time and continues to improve. No more tropical steroids!! I feel like a different person.
Fresh Cooling Mint Feel 4
Curly Q from West Covina, CA
I've struggled with scalp psoriasis around the crown of my head (hairline) for over 5 years. I've used natural soap and shampoo bars for the last three years and they helped relieve some of the itches whenever I washed my hair. By the third day, however, the flakes and itch would return immediately. Because I have naturally thick curly hair, washing my hair daily would only result in drier hair so it was an ongoing battle. The first time I used the Derma-E scalp shampoo and conditioner with a scalp massager. I noticed some of the flakes and scales along my crown were gently removed. They weren't completely gone but I could tell this was helping a bit. Four days later I noticed my hair wasn't as itchy or flaky as usual but it was my "wash day" so I used these products again. My day three hair looked so shiny and the scales were going away! I'm convinced the more I use this product the better my scalp's health will be. Can't believe it took so long to find this.
That price point! 5
Barbaraj from Fort myers, Florida
Make sure you let it sit for 3-5 mins! I've used cheap and expensive dandruff products and this one will be staying in my shower for at least the rest of this year!
not for me 1
Dee from Texas
Initially I liked this shampoo. It does provide relief from itchy and flaky scalp, but it does not lather the way I would prefer. It feels as if I am just rubbing lotion or cream into my hair. After rinsing my hair feels dry and course. I will be giving this to my son who keeps his hair cut short and who also suffers from itchy and flaky scalp.
Goodbye flakes! Dandruff gone and only 1/3 of bottle used! 5
Savannapanda from Arlington, WA
I don't think anything I've ever given 5 starts deserves it compared to this product. I have very long, thick dark hair, and have been seeing flakes due to dryness for years now. I had given up trying to fix it, I tried everything. Masks, conditioning my scalp, scrubs with apple cider vinegar, etc. And in comes this product! It's only by random chance I bought it too. My local Ulta had no shampoo bars in stock so I went to browse the natural isles for a temporary alternative. I had to leave the store with some because I was completely out at home. I picked this up with a conditioner because it was on sale, and I didn't really expect it to work because nothing in the past had. I was WRONG! I wash my hair twice a week, and I've only gone through about 1/3 of this bottle and I have seen neither hide nor hair of my flakes for a few weeks now. I am amazed and will now buy this for life. Please try this if you have dandruff or flakes due to dryness!!! It's worth it to just try, it's awesome.
I am going to buy more today! 5
Laur from Rancho Cucamonga , California
I I shampoo and let it stay in five minutes then shampoo again. Follow with their conditioner
Didn't work for me 1
Taylor from Oregon
I have dark hair and bangs, once the winter made my scalp dry and itchy I decided to try this to help with dandruff, I also used the conditioner combo.
This did nothing for me. I've used it for at least one month now, washing 2-3 times a week. As of yesterday I still used it but have noticed my scalp seems even more dry and flaky. Not sure if it is from this shampoo, but it sure isn't helping. :-(
Where has this been?!? 5
catew0011 from New Jersey
I'm so glad I did some research and read reviews on this. I was having very dry, flakey scalp during the winter especially around the crown of my head near my part. Having dark hair I was getting super self conscience! Tried Moroccan scalp oil, horrible. Didn't work smelled like a dead tree. Scalp scrubs. This literally relieved my symptoms by two washes dramatically. Decreased the flakes, and continuing to see results. Bought the conditioner as well. Doesn't leave hair dry, or hard to style, great lather. For the price it's above and beyond would HIGHLY recommend. I don't love the smell of menthol after using conditioner as it smells like icy hot, but that doesn't last long. Feels relieving on your head! Love love thank god!!
