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Neutrogena · Shampoos

T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula

·252 ml·Rinse-off
71
Some concern

Why this score

Concern44 / 55
  • Cocamide MEA: watch if sensitive
  • Fragrance: watch if sensitive
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine: watch if sensitive
  • DMDM Hydantoin: watch if sensitive

How much genuine, cited concern the ingredients carry, weighted by how much of each is likely present and whether the product stays on or rinses off.

Transparency12 / 20
  • Uses an undisclosed "fragrance/parfum" blend, so its scent allergens are hidden.

Whether the full ingredient list, and any fragrance, are actually disclosed.

Formulation restraint15 / 25
  • 4 known irritant or fragrance-allergen ingredients: Cocamide MEA, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, DMDM Hydantoin.

Needless irritant or allergen load for the product type. A clean, purposeful formula scores well without any "free-from" theater.

Scored by PlainBody Editorial against the PlainScore method · Label checked July 2026

What’s inside

WaterGenerally safe

The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.

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Sodium Laureth SulfateGenerally safe

A common foaming cleanser, milder than SLS. Fine for most people in a rinse-off product.

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Cocamide MEAWatch if sensitive

A coconut-derived fatty acid amide used as a foam booster and thickener in shampoos and washes. It is a recognized, if uncommon, contact sensitizer, and because it belongs to the same ethanolamine family reviewed alongside cocamide DEA, formulators are advised to keep it free of nitrosamine-forming contaminants; well-made products with controlled impurity levels are considered acceptable for rinse-off use.

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FragranceWatch if sensitive

An undisclosed scent blend that can contain dozens of components. The single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy, and the blend is not itemized, so you cannot see what is in it.

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Sodium ChlorideCommonly feared, low concern

Ordinary salt, used in surfactant-based products like shampoos and body washes to adjust viscosity by interacting with the surfactant micelles. It has no meaningful toxicity concern at cosmetic use levels; the main practical downside is that too much can make a formula feel less mild.

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Polysorbate 20Generally safe

A widely used emulsifier and solubilizer that has been in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for decades. The CIR has assessed it as safe with no known concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations. As with any surfactant, some people with very sensitive skin may experience mild irritation.

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Cocamidopropyl BetaineWatch if sensitive

A coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant used to boost foam and mildness in cleansers and shampoos. CIR has reviewed it as safe as used, but it is one of the more established contact-allergy triggers in personal care, usually traced to manufacturing impurities such as amidoamine and dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) rather than the betaine itself. People with a history of eyelid or scalp dermatitis are more likely to react.

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DMDM HydantoinWatch if sensitive

A preservative that works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde to control microbial growth. This makes it an effective preservative, but people with a known formaldehyde or fragrance-type sensitivity may develop irritation or an allergic reaction, especially with prolonged use of leave-on products.

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Citric AcidGenerally safe

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

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Tetrasodium EDTACommonly feared, low concern

Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to keep formulas stable and help preservatives work better. It has circulated online as a supposed "toxic" additive, but decades of safety review support its use at cosmetic concentrations.

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Sodium HydroxideGenerally safe

A strong alkali used in tiny amounts to adjust the pH of cosmetics to safe, skin-friendly levels. At the pH found in finished products, sodium hydroxide is neutralized and well tolerated.

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Note: this product hides its scent as an undisclosed “fragrance/parfum” blend, so its specific allergens are not on the label.

Lower-concern alternatives

Same category, higher PlainScore.

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern ratings are evidence-graded and cited on each ingredient page. See how we score.