Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo

I have used Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo for nearly 3 years now and has proved for me to be a one of the best hair care products that I have ever tried.

For years I had a flake problem and not of the Cadbury's kind. It was obvious from an early age that it wasn't dandruff (mainly by the way I ended up with a red raw scalp from scratching my head after I used anti dandruff shampoos) and eventually I was told I had Psoriasis ...
...shopping I walked past the Aveda concession in Selfridges. Seeing their strapline "The art and science of flowers and plants" I thought "if it's natural it will at least not do anymore damage". Aveda believe that using natural ingredients rather than too many chemicals is much preferred and they also believe in using sustainable sources for their ingredients. They actively support indigenous communities to help maintain their ... more

I have used Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo for nearly 3 years now and has proved for me to be a one of the best hair care products that I have ever tried.

For years I had a flake problem and not of the Cadbury's kind. It was obvious from an early age that it wasn't dandruff (mainly by the way I ended up with a red raw scalp from scratching my head after I used anti dandruff shampoos) and eventually I was told I had Psoriasis (but not too bad according to the doctor - try telling me that at 3am when I'm tearing my hair out scratching it I thought). His advice was for prescribed medicated shampoo which did wonders for my scalp but ruined my hair leaving it dull and straw like. For a 20 year old girl who had just started to go grey and therefore wanted to colour it this was not good. So I stopped using my medicated shampoo all the time and started on my quest to find a shampoo that was kind to my hair and my scalp in the hope that it made my hair good enough for the amount of hair dye that it would take over the years.

My search was long and costly until about 3 years ago. An unfortunate incident at my hair salon a year ealier, where the over zealous colourist with a blonde fetish decided (against my wishes and without my knowledge) that the light brown highlights I always had in my dark brown hair weren't light enough had left my hair in the worst condition it had ever been in. I was desparate and really wanted to sort it out once and for all and as I was out shopping I walked past the Aveda concession in Selfridges. Seeing their strapline "The art and science of flowers and plants" I thought "if it's natural it will at least not do anymore damage". Aveda believe that using natural ingredients rather than too many chemicals is much preferred and they also believe in using sustainable sources for their ingredients. They actively support indigenous communities to help maintain their supplies and so their products are environmentally and ethically sound as well. At the time I first bought the product the environmental and ethical stance of the company was not that high on my agenda but it certainly is now and so if you feel strongly about such things I would recommend their products to you in general. For more information see http://aveda.aveda.com/protect/we/default.asp

As I looked around the concession I was asked very quickly if I needed any advice and if I wanted any herbal tea as I looked a bit stressed. I gratefully accepted both offers and explained my predicament to the assistant. She immediately came up with a solution for the damage from my highlights and then she asked if I had any other concerns and I explained about my (now slight) psorasis. She came back with a bottle of Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo and conditioner. I am only going to review the shampoo here.

She explained that it is a deep cleansing shampoo that hads clarifying properties to help remove excess oils and flaky skin to kick start the scalp into self regulating and working properly again. She then went into how the smell of the shampoo is very calming and warming and helps to rebalance your mood (I start to shut off at this point but she was right!). Its active ingredient is Burdock root which has traditionally been used in herbal remedies for its antiseptic and detoxifying qualities and to help with the "rebalancing of mood" is Vetiver oil which seemingly (according to their website) is known at the "oil of tranquility" in the East and its aroma helps to destress you. Its other active ingredients are Babassu, a type of nut, Echinacea, Sage Leaf and Seabuckthorn oil.

So I took all my purchases home and set about restoring my poorly hair. And this happened remarkably quickly. After a month of intensive therapy I no longer needed the intensive products which just left the Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo (and the conditioner). I'm one of these people that washes their hair every day but conditions every few days (my hair is also prone to getting greasy) so it's important that my shampoo does a good job for me on its own.

So the first thing you notice about Scalp Benefits Balancing shampoo is that the pale golden clear shampoo has an earthy, warm and comforting smell. It is pleasant but unexpected. As well as the earthy smell you get the smell of the burdock root which takes me back to days of drinking dandelion and burdock at my gran's house. It's not got a medicinal smell like Vosene or some of the Neutrogena shampoos (or as strong) but it smells liike it will get your hair clean. And in a strange way it is nice and calming. It would not go amiss in a gentleman's bathroom either with the smell. A small amount (a 50 pence piece size) of the shampoo lathers very well in all water areas. The lather is rich and creamy which again I wasn't really expecting from a "clear" shampoo. But despite its voluminous lather it also washes out really quickly and easily. You only need to wash your hair once, even if you don't use the conditioner.

I very rarely dry my hair with products (I apply them afterwards if necessary) and once dry my hair felt clean , soft, smooth and shiny. It also felt very healthy. My hair has a lovely earthy natural smell which stays with me all day. My scalp did not feel tight and apart from some pretty persistent flaky patches most of my problem scalp looked calm and flake free. And even the persistent patches were gone in a couple of weeks.

Since using this shampoo my hair always feels clean and in great condition. It feels nourished and when I have my hair coloured these days it doesn't have an adverse effect on it (mind you I also have Aveda colour my hair so their dyes are also made with the same ethos as the rest of their products, so that probably helps as well!). I'm not saying that the flaky patches don't come back because they do especially when I am stressed but they are always more manageable and clear quickly. It is also fine to use with coloured and treated hair. I admit that I do use a colour conserve shampoo twice a week for the first month after I have my hair coloured but because of the nature of the scalp benefits shampoo I don't need to use it any more often than that. For the other five days it's the scalp benefits.

All in all I have been delighted with this product. The only issue for some I guess would be the price - £12.50 for 250ml and £32 for 1ltr but the larger bottles are incredibly good value. They give you a pump to help dispense the shampoo and one pump is enough )I have shoulder length hair). So not only do you not "overdose", a litre bottle also saves 40% on the equivalent amount of 250ml bottles (and I would need another smaller bottle after 2 months) because of the overdosing issue) and I bought mine this time last year and still have about 20% left (this is based on using it 5 days a week). So that's less than £3 a month. It just seems alot when you buy it initially. Another slight drawback is that it is only available in Aveda concessions, Aveda salons or you can buy it on the internet. However online you can get it for slightly cheaper. I tend to get it in the salon but that is because I like to collect their loyalty points!

So in conclusion, if you have a flaky scalp (and it isn't dandruff - or even if it is as they have an anti dandruff treatment that you use in conjunction with Scalp Benefits) or if you just want healthy, great looking hair with a natural product and the mininum of chemical assistance then I would highly recommend this product. 

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