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Is VO5 Shampoo Really Good For Your Hair?

By HairstyleCamp Editorial Team • Updated on

HairstyleCamp Editorial Team
HairstyleCamp Editorial Team

Articles under this byline are produced by HairstyleCamp's in-house editors working with professional contributing writers. Every piece is edited and fact-checked by our editorial team, and hair care guidance is reviewed by the licensed cosmetologists on our expert review panel.

Reviewed by Madeline Hall, Senior Hair Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist

Madeline Hall
Madeline Hall, Senior Hair Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist

Expertise: Hair Color, Hair Cutting, Hair Styling, Color Education

Experience: Behind the chair since 2014

Madeline Hall is a licensed cosmetologist and senior hair colorist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Trained at the Cinta Aveda Institute in San Francisco, she spent five years as a senior colorist and salon educator at CODE salon, and has colored hair in Nashville at Pure Salon and, since 2020, at Local Honey. She has traveled across the U.S. for advanced color training, has taught color to cosmetology students, and writes about hair as a freelance writer and senior contributor to Era Organics.

VO5 or Alberto VO5 shampoos are cheap. Does it mean they are bad? If you go to the internet, you’ll find many different reviews that contradict each other. The reason is that there is no such thing as an all-purpose shampoo.

If you haven’t tried VO5 shampoo before and are wondering whether it’s good for your locks, we’d recommend looking at the list of ingredients.

The short answer: for most people, VO5 shampoo is safe to use and does its job as a budget cleanser. A couple of ingredients can bother sensitive skin, and the breakdown below shows which ones to watch.

Vo5 shampoo
  1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – A common cleansing surfactant used in shampoos to lift oil and create foam. It rinses out and is not absorbed into the hair, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive scalps, so patch test if you react easily. It is still common, although sulfate free shampoos are now widely available.
  2. Cocamidopropyl Betaine – A common surfactant that is derived from coconut oil. It eases the surface tension making the shampoo easier to lather.
  3. Ammonium Chloride – a thickener that controls the shampoo’s viscosity.
  4. Vitamin E – An antioxidant often included in hair products; in a rinse-off shampoo it may help condition the hair for a smoother look, though it is not proven to make hair grow.
  5. Vitamin B5 and Vitamin A – Ingredients used in some hair products; vitamin B5 (panthenol) can help the hair hold moisture and look conditioned, but hair is not living tissue and cannot be nourished or healed from a shampoo.
  6. Vitamin C and Vitamin D – Vitamins sometimes added to hair formulas; there is limited evidence that they prevent split ends or protect hair from environmental damage when used in a rinse-off shampoo.
  7. Octoxynol-9 – This common shampoo ingredient is also considered a sensitizer, which can lead to an allergic reaction. Some people may find it irritating, so patch test first if you have sensitive skin.
  8. Tetrasodium EDTA – Improves the effect of cosmetic preservatives and decreases water hardness. It is used at very small levels in shampoo and is well tolerated in rinse-off products.
  9. DMDM Hydantoin – An antimicrobial preservative. It is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative, so it can cause problems for people allergic to formaldehyde.
  10. Citric Acid – pH regulator.

What Is Unique About VO5 Shampoo?

What sets VO5 shampoo apart is its incorporation of the “5 Vitamin Oils” and the “Power of 5 Vitamins” in its formulations. This unique combination is designed to provide comprehensive care for the hair, offering a range of benefits.

Here are the features where VO5 is unique among other shampoos:

5 Vitamin Oils

The VO5 name comes from the five vital organic emollients in the brand’s original hairdressing formula. These shampoos contain a blend of Sunflower Seed Oil, Mango Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, and Chamomile Flower Oil.

These oils contribute to the nourishment and conditioning of the hair, each bringing its unique properties for hair health.

5 Vitamins

All VO5 products contain Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, and Biotin in the formulations. The brand markets these vitamins for hair strength and shine, though evidence that vitamins applied topically in a rinse-off shampoo improve hair growth or overall hair health is limited.

By combining these vitamin-rich oils and essential nutrients, VO5 shampoos offer unique care for your hair. This can include moisturizing, strengthening, and providing a healthy shine to the hair.

Variety of Formulas

VO5 often provides a variety of shampoos to address different hair care needs. Whether focusing on hydration, volume, or color protection, the brand tailors its formulations to cater to various hair types and concerns.

Affordability

VO5 products, including shampoos, are often affordable. This makes them accessible to a broad range of consumers seeking quality hair care within budget.

So, what makes VO5 shampoo unique is its commitment to combining essential oils and vitamins in a way that provides a comprehensive and budget-friendly hair care solution.

As you can see from the ingredient list, VO5 shampoo combines cleansing surfactants with conditioning oils and vitamins meant to nourish and add shine to your hair. As for concerning ingredients, Octoxynol-9 and the formaldehyde releasing DMDM Hydantoin are the main flags, but the quantities are so minuscule that they should not do any harm for most people. If you have sensitive skin or a known allergy (for example to formaldehyde releasers like DMDM hydantoin), patch test on a small area first, and stop use and see a professional if you develop irritation or a reaction. However, if you prefer to avoid harsh detergents and certain preservatives entirely, you may want to consider switching to a sulfate and paraben free shampoo.