You’ve heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” but what about what you shampoo with?
At Kenneth’s, we’re kicking off a fresh campaign to clear up a commonly misunderstood, but highly important ingredient that shows up in many drugstore and grocery store shampoos: sodium chloride. Also known simply as salt, this additive may be great on fries, but not so much on your follicles.
What is Sodium Chloride Doing in Shampoo?
In many commercial shampoo formulas, sodium chloride is used as a thickener. It makes liquid products look creamy, rich, and uniform, often at the expense of your hair’s health. It’s inexpensive and widely available, which is why it’s often found in lower-cost, or mass-produced haircare products.
The problem? It’s abrasive, drying, and often works directly against the results you’re investing in at the salon.
Why Salt is a Red Flag
Sodium chloride may sound harmless, but here’s what Irma Jobst, our chemist and private label partner, shared during our recent product knowledge seminar:
Don’t use any sodium chloride if you really want your hair to grow long.
Why? Because sodium chloride can:
- Strip hair color by lifting the cuticle and allowing color molecules to escape
- Weaken keratin bonds, which are essential for strength, smoothness, and elasticity
- Cause dryness, brittleness, and irritation, especially for those with sensitive scalps or processed hair
- Interfere with in-salon treatments, especially keratin, color, and smoothing services
- And worst of all? It can slow your length goals by weakening hair at the root and along the shaft
In other words, that “bargain” shampoo may actually be costing you more in color longevity, styling time, and hair health than you realize.
The Kenneth’s Difference: No Salt, No Compromise
Every shampoo in our Kenneth’s private label line is consciously formulated without sodium chloride. Instead, we use modern ingredient technology designed to:
- Maintain your hair’s natural pH
- Protect your professional color between visits
- Support scalp health and hair growth
- Work with your services, not against them
These shampoos aren’t repackaged stock; they’re designed from the ground up exclusively for Kenneth’s. And because our technician’s input and testing impacts the formulation, we can ensure each bottle reflects the same care and intention you’ve come to expect in our salons.
Not One Size Fits All. And That’s a Good Thing
We offer a shampoo for every concern, from hydration and volume to color-locking and bond-repairing. And just like you change your wardrobe with the seasons, it’s smart to switch up your shampoo as your hair changes with the weather, a new cut or color, or even hormonal shifts.
If you’re unsure where to start, your stylist is your best resource. Let them know your current hair goals, and they’ll help you find your best seasonal match.
Let’s Talk Shampoo. Seriously.
Next time you visit, take a look in the mirror, literally. Our “No Salt” mirror clings are meant to spark a conversation. If your shampoo contains sodium chloride, it might be undoing all the magic we’re working so hard to create.
Ask your stylist which Kenneth’s shampoo is right for you today, and for the hair you want tomorrow. You can pick it up in the salon or order it online anytime.
Because your hair deserves more than table salt.
Ready to upgrade your shampoo game?
Call us at 614-538-5800 or book online to talk with a stylist and find the perfect Kenneth’s shampoo for your hair goals.