Unboxing The Ordinary Shampoo – The Sulphate 4% cleanser for body & hair
- 74% of the #deciemaddicts love this product
The Ordinary Hair Care Range – The Ordinary launches 3 new hair products at once.
- Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body & Hair
- Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for scalp
The Ordinary Shampoo – does it work well?
74% of the Deciem Addicts love this shampoo, and this currently scores 4/5 on The Ordinary website. I love this along with the conditioner and have repurchased it numerous times.
The Ordinary Shampoo Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body & Hair
By Deciem: Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair offers a gentle-is-essential approach to effectively cleanse body and hair. The product contains SLES-2, a milder sulphate that has been incorporated into the formula to be gentle on the skin and cleanse hair without additional colour fade. The molecular structure of SLES-2 is designed to provide effective cleansing at a lower concentration to minimize concerns with potential irritation associated with the use of sulphates.
How do I use The Ordinary Sulphate Shampoo/Cleanser?
The Ordinary says – Work the cleanser into wet hair and body and then rinse. I personally apply a small amount, massage all over as best as I can, then rinse and then apply more. I find it´s easier to spread and massage into the hair and scalp the second time.
Reviews of The Ordinary Shampooo
When it comes to reviews, I encourage you to join The Ordinary & NIOD Chat Room Facebook Group to find reviews by many people with different skin & hair types.
My very quick review of The Ordinary Shampoo
I have been using this shampoo and conditioner since they launched in March and have repurchased them numerous times. I love the way my hair feels after using them together. I´ve tried using a different shampoo with The Ordinary Conditioner and a different conditioner with this shampoo, and my hair just is not the same.
I have also realised how much heat protectors and hair styling products dull my hair. I recommend trying these two totally alone and seeing if you notice a difference. Obviously, just like skincare, products do not work for everyone.
My hair type
My hair type is very fine and can be on the dry/frizzy side.
The Packaging
At first glance, I like the packaging. The bottles look on the small side, although they are only 10ml less than some of my regular shampoos. It would be handy if the bottles were slightly different to quickly tell the difference between the shampoo and conditioner, but then that would dramatically alter “The Ordinary” look. It´s not great for those of us who need glasses.
How I use the Shampoo from The Ordinary
The consistency of the shampoo/cleanser is a lot thinner than I was expecting, and it´s a clear liquid. I applied a small amount and found it hard to move the cleanser around my head as it doesn´t lather (it´s not supposed to). So I use a small amount, massage, rinse and then apply a little more.
Washing the hair
As I was massaging the shampoo into my scalp, my hair became quite tangled but felt squeaky clean. I then applied the Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner, and instantly it detangled and was replaced by silky, soft and totally manageable hair.
Shampoo + Conditioner + Dyson Airwrap
I dried my hair with the Dyson Airwrap and attempted to curl it (I´m rubbish at blowdrying). I was surprised at how great my hair came out but more surprised that it still looked good the next day after a night´s sleep. The Ordinary Shampoo and Conditioner leaves my hair feeling soft, clean, manageable and incredibly shiny.
Shampoo + Conditioner + Rough Blow Dry Straight
This time I used The Ordinary Shampoo & Conditioner and just rough-dried my hair straight. No other products have been used at all. It´s so incredibly shiny. I´m not saying I can´t get my hair like this with other shampoos and conditioners, but it´s how light my hair feels and how clean my scalp feels.
Photos of hair using The Ordinary Shampoo

Shampoo Only + Blow Dry Straight
I love the clean feeling this shampoo leaves my scalp and hair, but the conditioner is undoubtedly the star of the two. This time I used the shampoo on its own. It was a little tangled and took me a minute to comb out. I blow-dried my hair straight this time. It felt really clean and was incredibly voluminous as it was on the dry side. It had shine but not like when using the conditioner. My hair went a little on the wild side, so I used the GHDs to straighten it. My hair was lovely and straight but with volume, whereas normally it can be straight but very lank (I do normally use conditioner).
Next time – Shampoo + Conditioner + Air Dry
Air drying my hair wasn´t bad, but I did need a little serum on the ends to control it a little more.
My final thoughts on The Ordinary Shampoo
The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body & Hair, along with The Ordinary Conditioner, is a 10/10 for me so far. I love these and even make sure I travel with them now as my hair looks and feels best using this combination.
How much is The Ordinary Shampoo? Check the price in your currency here.
What size is The Ordinary Shampoo? It´s 240ml
What is the ph of The Ordinary Shampoo? 4.5 – 5.5
FAQs about The Ordinary shampoo
These questions have been asked and answered by The Ordinary on Social Media.
The Ordinary Sulphate Shampoo does not lather, and I´m finding it hard to use.
We’re sorry to hear this. Please note the lather is not an indication of cleansing ability. It is simply a sensorial aspect of cleanser that many consumers attribute to the feeling of cleansing. We recommend working generously through the hair for the best results.
Is The Ordinary shampoo good for oily hair?
These are suitable for all hair types.
Can The Ordinary Shampoo be used on coloured hair?
Yes! It has been tested on coloured hair.
Is The Ordinary Sulphate Shampoo clarifying?
Sulphate 4% Cleanser is used to break down and remove dirt and other impurities. This is due to its ability to dissolve the barrier between dirt, oil, and water. By breaking down this barrier, the surfactants in cleansing products emulsify oil and dirt on the hair, skin and scalp, allowing it to be washed away with water.
Is The Ordinary cleansing shampoo similar to a purifying shampoo?
Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair offers a gentle approach to effectively cleanse body and hair. The product contains SLES-2, a milder sulphate that has been incorporated into the formula to be gentle on the skin and cleanse hair without additional colour fade.
Is The Ordinary shampoo approved for curly hair?
It’s suitable for all hair types.
The Ordinary Hair Care
The Ordinary recently launched 3 new products
- Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body & Hair
- Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for scalp
- All of The Ordinary products for hair
