Formula · 1.8

Brand · 1.9

Белита · woad extract · Belarus

Belita Woad and Black Turnip Shampoo

Belita Woad and Black Turnip Shampoo
1.8

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.1No proven effect when applied: woad extract
  • Completeness for the purpose0.0For “hair shedding (topical)” — 4 %; niacinamide (vitamin b3); could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); below threshold: woad extract; a narrow formula for one purpose
  • Cleansing base0.6Harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate (SLES); mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-betaine, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 36 % of SLS
  • Tolerance0.2Rinse-off product; debatable groups: benzyl alcohol, cocamide DEA, isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI) (skin test positive in 6 of 100 tested), isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI), fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • colour-treated hairwoad leaf contains indigo dyes: on light and bleached hair a shift of tone is possible
  • pregnancyno studies in pregnancy — discuss with a doctor
  • sensitive skinirritation possible
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
  • dry scalpmay dry
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Topical products against shedding work weakly: only minoxidil is proven (a medicine we do not score); among cosmetics rosemary oil has moderate data, caffeine weak. The cause of shedding is found by tests: iron, thyroid, vitamin D.
When:
  • when washing, rinsed off
when washing the hair, massage the scalp
When to expect an effect: do not expect a separate effect of woad on hair growth
What is normal: the noticeable effect of woad is tone, not density

Ingredients — 19 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 19 ingredients: woad extract. Topical products against shedding work weakly: only minoxidil is proven (a medicine we do not score); among cosmetics rosemary oil has moderate data, caffeine weak. The cause of shedding is found by tests: iron, thyroid, vitamin D.

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: no proven effect when applied: woad extract; completeness for the purpose: for “hair shedding” — 4 %; cleansing base: harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate; tolerance: rinse-off product

Questions: sodium laureth sulfate (SLES): sodium laureth sulfate — the main cleansing surfactant; can dry a sensitive scalp — the reason people look for «sulfate-free»; unrestricted in rinse-off products; cocamide DEA — a thickener and foam booster. It is restricted: in the presence of nitrites diethanolamides can form nitrosamines, so the regulator caps secondary amines and forbids nitrosating additives; California lists it under Proposition 65.; fragrance and its allergens: fragrance, linalool, alpha-isomethyl ionone; benzyl alcohol; isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI): methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

  • Aqua (Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate questions · the main cleansing surfactant; can dry a sensitive scalp — the reason people look for «sulfate-free»; unrestricted in rinse-off products
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine base: coating, fillers · a mild amphoteric surfactant: it builds dense foam and softens the harsh sulfates next to it. It occasionally causes contact allergy, and the culprit is a manufacturing impurity rather than the ingredient itself.
  • Coco-Betaine base: coating, fillers · an amphoteric surfactant from coconut oil: it cleanses and stabilises foam. Slightly harsher than cocamidopropyl betaine, yet clearly milder than the sulfates.
  • Cocamide DEA questions · a thickener and foam booster. It is restricted: in the presence of nitrites diethanolamides can form nitrosamines, so the regulator caps secondary amines and forbids nitrosating additives; California lists it under Proposition 65.
  • Sodium Chloride base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether base: coating, fillers · dissolves the other ingredients and holds the formula together
  • Parfum (Fragrance questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • PVP base: coating, fillers · a film former: it holds the styling and keeps pigment in place, and it washes off with water.
  • Disodium EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Brassica Rapa Root Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Isatis Tinctoria Leaf Extract works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: woad leaf extract
  • Benzyl Alcohol questions · a preservative and solvent permitted in the EU up to 1 %. It is also on the list of 26 fragrance allergens that must be declared separately, which matters to people allergic to fragrance.
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone questions · preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • Methylisothiazolinone questions · preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Linalool questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

Belita Woad and Black Turnip Shampoo is a product whose active ingredient is woad extract. The concentration is not declared and the active sits after the 1 % line — more for the label than for the effect. There is no evidence of effect: woad is a plant whose juice has been applied to brows and lashes in the East for centuries to make them look thicker and darker. The darkening is real: the juice is rich in indigo dyes. But no studies have been published in which woad sped up growth or reduced hair shedding. The formula has 19 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (the main cleansing surfactant; can dry a sensitive scalp — the reason people look for «sulfate-free»; unrestricted in rinse-off products); Cocamide DEA (a thickener and foam booster. It is restricted: in the presence of nitrites diethanolamides can form nitrosamines, so the regulator caps secondary amines and forbids nitrosating additives; California lists it under Proposition 65.); Parfum (Fragrance, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone; Benzyl Alcohol; Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. Topical products against shedding work weakly: only minoxidil is proven (a medicine we do not score); among cosmetics rosemary oil has moderate data, caffeine weak. The cause of shedding is found by tests: iron, thyroid, vitamin D. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), formaldehyde releasers, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults. colour-treated hair, pregnancy, sensitive skin, atopic skin, dry scalp — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy, prone to contact allergy — not without a doctor. Use: when washing the hair, massage the scalp. When to expect an effect: do not expect a separate effect of woad on hair growth. Label score — 1.8 out of 10 (no proven effect when applied: woad extract; for “hair shedding (topical)” — 4 %; niacinamide (vitamin b3); could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); below threshold: woad extract; a narrow formula for one purpose; harsh surfactants: sodium laureth sulfate (sles); mild surfactants: cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-betaine, mild surfactants and emulsifiers; irritation potential of the base — 36 % of sls; rinse-off product; debatable groups: benzyl alcohol, cocamide dea, isothiazolinone preservatives (mit/mci) (skin test positive in 6 of 100 tested), isothiazolinone preservatives (mit/mci), fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes; do not use if you are intolerant to any component. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction
  • prone to contact allergyone of the most frequent cosmetic allergens

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes; do not use if you are intolerant to any component. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Is this product right for your hair?

The score describes the formula, not your hair: a sulfate shampoo suits an oily scalp and fails a dry, sensitive one. Tell us about your hair, scalp and the problem — shedding, dandruff, oiliness, dryness — and we will build a routine and say whether this product suits you.

Hair care matchDecode my tests