The scoop on suds.(talk The talk)(shampoo ingredients)(Brief Article)

While shampooing, have you ever glanced at the bottle and wondered: What in the world does Hydroxypropyl Trimonium Honey do for my hair? Well, we have. So we bought a handful of shampoos and asked a hair-product-development consultant for the real purpose of ingredients you may encounter in the shower. Here's his take:

Ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate: They clean and add lather.

Citric acid: It adjusts the pH.

Cocamide DEA, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauramide DEA: They add to the lather's richness and volume.

DMDM Hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, methylchloroisothiazolinone: Preservatives.

Panthenol: It's supposed to condition but is unlikely to provide a discernible benefit.

Propylene glycol: It can keep shampoo clear and homogenized and prevent freezing.