Shampoo 'most essential haircare product'

Research by haircare giants Schwarzkopf Professional has found that shampoo is the considered the most essential haircare product of the century by women in the UK.

The product was voted for as part of Schwarzkopf Professional's 120 year anniversary celebrations. A survey found that 95% of British women believed shampoo to be the innovation of the century that has had the biggest impact on their lives.

According to the research, dry shampoo was placed second (13.9%), conditioner third (13.2%) and hairspray fourth (9.9%). 

Commenting on these findings, Stuart Hamid, General Manager, Schwarzkopf Professional, says:

“We celebrate 120 years of hair innovations this year, and there is something delightful in the fact that the one product which was overwhelmingly voted for, as the essential haircare product of the century, is shampoo – an innovation that is embedded in the history of Schwarzkopf Professional, as we developed the very first ‘Hair Washing Powder Shampoo' in 1903. 

“At Schwarzkopf Professional innovation is part of our DNA. We have created 12 haircare firsts in our 120 years; and while we can't take the credit for dry shampoo and conditioner, we did invent hairspray in 1955, enabling women to create looks previously unachievable. Certain iconic styles epitomise eras in history. The beehive of the 1960s was only possible because of hairspray and we are proud to have played a part in its creation.”

Rachael Gibson, Hair Historian, comments: 

"Before Schwarzkopf Professional introduced shampoo, people turned to all sorts of things to keep their hair fresh; from the soapwort plant, which was used by Native Americans in ancient times to pungent-smelling coal tar soap in the 1800s. 

“The introduction of shampoo by Schwarzkopf in 1903 was a total breakthrough and played a huge part both in creating the salon experience as we know it today, and in freeing up women's hairstyles from complicated dressed looks that couldn't be cleaned between appointments to wash-and-wear styles that revolutionised women's lives."

The research also revealed that 20% of women have never used hair straighteners, and 15% do not own a hairdryer. Nineteen percent leave at least a week between washers, with the worst offenders being those in the 18-24 year old age category. 

Surveyed women's greatest hair issue was frizz (17.5%), with 15.7% stating greying hair, with 8% admitting that they secretly dye their hair.