EO: One excellent eco-friendly shampoo
Update, 4/4/08: A prob with the EO shampoo — the ranking’s ranking suddenly changed –
On reader Allison’s recommendation, I picked up EO Shampoo and Conditioner — the Lemon Verbena scent, suitable for all hair types — at Co-opportunity.
I have never been so psyched about a hair product.
The shampoo smells lemony fresh, foams easily, and gets my hair really, really clean! The conditioner’s moisturizing and smooth without being heavy.
And of course, EO (which stands for essential oils) is all about safe, organic stuff. My shampoo and conditioner score a “low risk” 1 on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. The stuff has no parabens or fragrence, and instead includes lots of certified organic ingredients. The minimalist blue bottles are leaping bunny-logoed. Best of all, EO’s made locally in small batches in Marin County, Calif.!
All personal care products should be like EO. I got so psyched ’bout the shampoo that I signed up for EO’s newsletter — then got lost looking through the site. There, I found out that I can buy these hair products in gallon jugs — which would let me reduce and reuse my blue bottles while saving some serious cash. The 8 oz bottles I got at the Co-op each cost $7.99 — about a buck an ounce; the gallon jug would bring that per-oz cost to under 50 cents!
The bulk products only come in the Chamomile & Honey scent, however. More importantly, I’m not sure where I would put these huge jugs, and how long it’d be okay to store the stuff. I may have to get a shampoo co-op together first to share each jug shipment first….
In the meantime, I highly recommend EO. Get squeaky clean, lemony fresh hair while supporting organic agriculture, safe cosmetics, and local production. And lemme know if you’re in the Santa Monica area and want to join a shampoo co-op :P
Update, 4/4/08: A prob with the EO shampoo — the ranking’s ranking suddenly changed –
Wow! Thanks for the comprehensive review of EO shampoo and conditioner …so many “organic” products either smell like nothing or frankly, smell bad! The Environmental Working Group tells us fragrance is bad for our health, so I’ve been avoiding it, but I miss lemony-fresh smells in the shower! This natural essence would be great. Also love the fact that it comes in gallon containers - so many “green” manufacturers neglect the all-important packaging component.
Comment by Lynn from Organicmania.com — March 3, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Siel, EO sounds terrific! I wonder if the lemony scent will also help keep away mosquitoes in warmer weather? I x-nayed deet for citronella oil (which my husband finds overpowering!) and I find garlic and B12 also helps “un-sweeten” my scent. As always, you get what you pay for!
Comment by Trudy — March 3, 2008 @ 11:42 am
Unfortunately this product contains parabens..I’m not sure why ‘natural’ products are still using these. there has been some speculation as to whether parabens mimic estrogen which could in turn increase the risk of breast cancer. Parabens are used as preservatives. Other more ‘natural’ products have found a way to preserve their products naturally without using parabens.
See EWG’s website for more info, search your favorite products or to look up specific ingredients for toxicity levels:
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep
EWG or Environmental Working Group is doing a great service by providing information to the public that the FDA is not.
Comment by Brooke — March 3, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Oops! My apologies! It seems they have taken the parabens out and added Vitamin E instead.
Comment by Brooke — March 3, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Siel, just spotted this - sooo glad that you enjoyed it! :)
Comment by Allison — March 4, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
EO is one of my favorite soaps ever. I have been using the lavender liquid soap for a number of years now, and EVERYONE that comes visit falls in love with it! Marin, lovely for soaps, cheese and butt-kicking bike trails. xoxo- sfbike love girl
Comment by meli — March 7, 2008 @ 1:11 am
I’m not sure about the mosquito-repelling power of EO, but I’m quite sure about its cleansing power — and its lemony freshness :)
After discovering EO, I just don’t get why other shampoo companies don’t do the same — both the ones that use unnecessary, questionable chemicals AND the ones that try to hawk less-than-impressive products….
Comment by Siel — March 7, 2008 @ 11:42 am