Nexxus was founded in 1979 as an exclusive hair-care brand. Nexxus has managed to merge style with science and has introduced a range of hair products that are scientifically crafted for specific hair textures, styles, and levels of damage
But how safe are Nexxus shampoos for your hair?
Keep on reading
Table of Contents
What type of Nexxus shampoos are available?
Depending on hair type, such as curly, fine and thin, dry and frizzy, oily, blonde, colored, or damaged hair, Nexxus has an impressive range of shampoos and other hair-care products (like conditioners, scrubs, masks, balms, oils, and mists).
There are a total of nine types of Nexxus shampoos:
- Nexxus Clean and Pure,
- Nexxus Therappe,
- Nexxus Keraphix,
- Nexxus Hydra-Light,
- Nexxus Diametress,
- Nexxus Scalp Inergy,
- Nexxus Curl Define,
- Nexxus Color Assure, and
- Nexxus Blond Assure Purple
Do Nexxus shampoos have harmful ingredients?
Nexxus shampoos do not contain harmful ingredients and are completely safe. Many shampoos are made of natural ingredients like quinoa, black rice, marine minerals, ginger root, and green tea extract. Nexxus shampoos are safe for your hair.
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Do Nexxus shampoos have sulfates?
Some of the Nexxus shampoos contain sulfates, while others do not.
Nexxus Therappe, Nexxus Keraphix, and Nexxus Hydra-Light shampoos have Sodium Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
The company affirms that while Sodium Sulfate controls the thickness of the product, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate helps to create a lathering effect which in turn cleans dirt and oil from hair.
Nexxus Blond Assure Purple and Nexxus Diametress shampoos have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate only.
Nexxus assures that the SLES (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) levels in their shampoos are very low. SLES is added only to ensure efficient cleaning and foaming of the hair.
Nexxus Clean and Pure, Nexxus Color Assure, Nexxus Scalp Inergy, and Nexxus Curl Define shampoos are completely sulfate-free.
Sulfates are chemical substances used as cleansing agents. They are found in household cleaners, detergents, and even shampoos. Sulfates present in shampoos allow in-depth cleaning of the hair, but they can also damage the hair and make it frizzy and brittle.
As most of the Nexxus shampoos are sulfate-free and the rest contain very low amounts of sulfate, it is safe to use Nexxus shampoos.
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Do Nexxus shampoos have silicone?
Nexxus shampoos are entirely silicone-free!
By removing the harmful silicone element from its shampoos, Nexxus allows for its hair-care products to work best to repair the hair damage, restore the hair to its undamaged condition, and protect the hair from further damage.
Do Nexxus shampoos contain parabens?
Good news! All the Nexxus shampoos are free of parabens!
Parabens are a type of preservative which are added to hair-care products like shampoos to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, in order to prolong their shelf lives.
Do Nexxus shampoos contain DMDM hydantoin?
Just like sulfates, some of the Nexxus shampoos contain DMDM hydantoin, while some others do not.
Nexxus Hydra-Light, Nexxus Diametress, Nexxus Color Assure, and Nexxus Therappe shampoos contain DMDM hydantoin.
Nexxus Clean and Pure, Nexxus Keraphix, Nexxus Blond Assure Purple, Nexxus Scalp Inergy, and Nexxus Curl Define DO NOT contain DMDM hydantoin.
DMDM hydantoin, like paraben, is a type of preservative and an anti-microbial agent. It is an odorless, white, crystalline substance found in a wide range of cosmetic products, like makeup, makeup removers, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, soaps, and scrubs.
Now, DMDM hydantoin releases little amounts of formaldehyde overtime to keep the skincare and haircare products fresh and free of contaminants. In this way, it increases the shelf-life of cosmetic and personal care products.
While loads of formaldehyde are dangerous, small amounts of it are harmless. It occurs naturally in bananas, apples, pears; and is even produced in meager quantity by the human body as part of metabolism.
So, a little bit of formaldehyde in your shampoo is not worrisome!
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Do Nexxus shampoos have alcohol?
Yes, some Nexxus shampoos contain alcohol.
Nexxus Color Assure, Nexxus Keraphix, Nexxus Scalp Inergy, Nexxus Hydra-Light, and Nexxus Curl Define shampoos have alcohol.
Nexxus Clean and Pure, Nexxus Therappe, and Nexxus Blond Assure Purple shampoos are alcohol-free.
All shampoos contain carrying agents. The main task of these agents is to make sure the active ingredients in the shampoos work to their full potential. Now, in most shampoos, aqua or water is used as the carrying agent.
Some shampoos might add alcohol instead of or in addition to water. A few of the Nexxus shampoos contain alcohol. If you wish to use alcohol-free shampoos, then go ahead and choose either Nexxus Clean and Pure, Nexxus Therappe, or Nexxus Blond Assure Purple.
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Do Nexxus shampoos have gluten?
Eight of the nine Nexxus shampoos are gluten-free.
Only Nexxus Scalp Inergy contains gluten in the form of wheat protein.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It helps food items to retain their shape. Often, consumers avoid gluten-containing products if they are allergic to gluten.
Do Nexxus shampoos have formaldehyde?
Yes, some Nexxus shampoos contain formaldehyde.
Nexxus Hydra-Light, Nexxus Diametress, Nexxus Color Assure, Nexxus Therappe shampoos contain DMDM hydantoin. As DMDM hydantoin releases formaldehyde, these four Nexxus shampoos contain formaldehyde in small amounts.
Here is a summary of the different chemicals and whether these are present in Nexxus shampoos.
| Shampoo Chemicals | Presence in Nexxus shampoo |
| Sulfates | Present. Sulfate-free variants are also available with Nexxus shampoo |
| Formaldehyde | Absent |
| Protein | Present in the Nexxus Curly Hair and Color Assure ranges |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Present in Nexxus Color Assure range |
| Wax | Absent in all Nexxus shampoos |
| Silicone | Not present in any Nexxus shampoo |
| Parabens | Not present in Nexxus shampoo |
| Alcohol | Present in all variants of Nexxus |
| Gluten | Absent in Nexxus shampoo |
Is Nexxus shampoo cruelty-free?
Nexxus shampoos are cruelty-free as they do not test on animals.
The brand claims that they are committed to ending product testing on animals. They also state that Unilever, their parent company, complies with the EU ban on animal testing since 2004.
But Unilever is not a cruelty-free company.
Unilever allows some of its brands to conduct testing on animals while following a different policy for some of its other brands.
Nexxus is one of the brands which is allowed to conduct post-production testing.
Also, research shows that Nexxus products are sold in China. The Chinese importation laws specify that products have to be tested on animals before or after they are released in the market.
These laws are under modification. But brands selling in China still have to conduct non-routine animal testing if a consumer makes a complaint about a product.
So, Nexxus must be complying with China’s policies, and be testing on animals. Nexxus cannot be described as a cruelty-free brand.
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Nexxus shampoo during pregnancy
Nexxus Shampoo does not contain too many high-risk chemicals. However, sodium Laureth sulfate is better avoided during pregnancy. SLS could cause respiratory issues and may turn out to be a carcinogen to the fetus. Alcohol and fragrances are chemicals that can aggravate headaches, nausea, and mood swings. Additionally, pregnant women should stay away from linalool as it can lead to cell death.
You are advised to study the ingredients list of the variant to make sure it does not contain these harmful chemicals.
Does Nexxus shampoo cause acne?
Ingredients in Nexxus shampoo like sulfates, mineral oil, linalool, and fragrances are likely to cause acne. The brand has variants that exclude these components. Therefore, if you are allergic to these ingredients or have sensitive skin, avoid these chemicals.
Does Nexxus shampoo expire?
All shampoo products usually have a shelf life of three years. However, you may not find the expiration date printed on Nexxus shampoo bottles. You could call the company to get a clarification. Do not use the product beyond its shelf life – as water is the chief ingredient in shampoos, it is most likely to be a good turf for the growth of bacteria.
How long does Nexxus shampoo last?
The longevity of your shampoo depends on several factors. Frequency of use, usage per wash, hair type, the bulkiness of your hair, and the extent of oil and dirt will determine how long Nexxus shampoo will last for you.
References:
- https://www.nexxus.com/us/en/products/shampoo/
- https://incidecoder.com/products/nexxus-clean-pure-shampoo
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