Is there a difference between professional and non-professional shampoos? In one of our Instagram polls, 94% of users answered "yes" and 6%, "no." However, while the vast majority acknowledged the differences between professional and non-professional products, explaining them proves to be a complex task. Personal experience alone doesn't provide an objective way to justify the potential advantage of salon formulas.
According to Claude Dubief and Véronique Nardello-Rataj, all shampoos claim to have the same functions. One of the most fundamental remains "cleaning the hair and scalp" (2004). However, this is no longer enough for increasingly demanding consumers. They are looking for a product that, beyond its cleansing ability, "beautifies the hair and gives it a number of beneficial properties" (2004). In other words, "modern shampoo must be attractive, pleasantly scented, enjoyable to use, and clean effectively, but also meet the specific expectations of users by providing the hair with clearly perceptible beautifying benefits adapted to the hair type" (2004).
In light of these statements, it is worthwhile to examine professional and non-professional lines to determine if they meet these expectations. To do so, we will focus on two companies: Dove and Oribe.
In the case of Dove, the brand seems to embrace the functions of shampoo. Their description reflects this: "Shampoo is more than just 'clean hair.' With Dove Nutritive Solutions shampoos, clean hair benefits from progressive nourishing care and gentle cleansing power." Their comprehensive range, which includes formulas for dry, damaged, and brittle hair, hair loss, sensitive scalps, dandruff, etc., is close to the "modern shampoo's" definition.
Oribe's range does the same. It has eight collections which are further subdivided into two or three ranges, suggesting that Oribe is also trying to meet specific needs.
So, if both Dove and Oribe are not limited to a purely cleaning product, what really distinguishes them?
The sales context remains a possible explanation avenue. Dove products, found in supermarkets, do not benefit from personalized customer guidance. Even if a range offers specific products, there's no guarantee that the consumer will make a conscious choice. This is where professional ranges stand out. By being found and sold in salons, they suggest that an additional step is crucial to the sale: expert advice.
However, our statement remains more or less true, as more and more professional ranges are available in pharmacies, which eliminates the need for prior expertise before purchase.
The question of product efficacy thus constitutes another possible avenue of analysis. Among the parameters studied by a group of dermatologists, pH emerged as one of the main factors influencing the aesthetic outcome of hair lengths (Gavazonni Dias, Munck de Alemeida, et al.). Although there is no consensus on the ideal pH value for shampoos, these researchers suggest that any value close to that of the scalp, i.e., 5.5, remains optimal (Gavazonni Dias, Munck de Alemeida, et al.). A value exceeding this can lead to frizz, breakage, or increased tangling (Gavazonni Dias, Munck de Alemeida, et al.).
The data from the study nevertheless shows that not all shampoos reach this value, regardless of whether they are sold in salons or supermarkets. For non-professional formulas, 34.36% had a value equal to or greater than 5.5, compared to 65.62% with a pH below 5.5. Among professional shampoos, 75% had a value equal to or greater than 5.5, while 25% were below this threshold.
Thus, the study's results suggest that pH, as an analytical value, is insufficient to establish a clear and precise distinction between professional and non-professional shampoos. Nevertheless, while some supermarket products approach the pH of the scalp, the data suggests that professional ranges prioritize a balanced formulation that takes into account other variables such as the concentration of conditioning agents, the nature of the surfactants, and the subsequent use of complementary treatments.
That said, scientific data does not support the notion that professional shampoos outperform non-professional shampoos. Nevertheless, distribution channels, the sales context, and formulation analysis open the door to two distinct approaches to the design of these products. Non-professional shampoos, which remain readily available, do not benefit from the context of professional formulas, where personalized guidance is often provided prior to purchase. Therefore, while the higher price of professional shampoos does not, in itself, guarantee superior performance, it may still reflect a greater investment in research, development, and targeted formulation. We suggest, in this regard, that the value of professional shampoo lies not solely in its formulation, but rather in the ecosystem in which it is used. The question is not whether it is objectively "better," but rather to examine the conditions under which it becomes relevant.
To help you shop in our online store, we've created product descriptions that clearly explain the properties and functions of each product. We've also published our favorite products to help you navigate the variety of formulas. In any case, you can always write to us or ask us during your appointments about the best options for you. We'll make sure to provide you with professional, personalized support that respects your needs. See you soon!
Article written by Euniden Urias
Bibliography:
Dove. (2025). Shampoo . Dove. https://www.dove.com/ca/en/hair-care/shampoo.html
Dubief, C. and Nardello-Rataj, V. (2004). Hair hygiene and beauty: conditioning shampoos. L'actualité chimique , 274, 4-9.
Gavazzoni Dias MR, de Almeida AM, Cecato P, Adriano AR, Pichler J. (2014). The shampoo pH can affect the hair: Myth or Reality?. International Journal of Trichology , 6(3), 95-99.
