Formula · 3.7

Brand · 5.9

Klorane · peony extract · France

Klorane Organic Peony Shampoo

Klorane Organic Peony Shampoo
3.7

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.1No proven effect when applied: peony extract
  • Completeness for the purpose0.2For “sensitive scalp” — 20 %; a narrow formula for one purpose
  • Cleansing base0.7Mild surfactants: coco-betaine, decyl glucoside, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate; irritation potential of the base — 25 % of SLS
  • Tolerance0.9Rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • colour-treated hair
  • pregnancyno studies in pregnancy — discuss with a doctor
  • sensitive skinirritation possible
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
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
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • 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
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — 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: A sensitive scalp needs two things: a mild cleansing base without harsh sulfates and fragrance, and a soothing ingredient — panthenol, allantoin or bisabolol. Itching and tightness ease within 1–2 weeks; if not, the cause is the skin (dermatitis, psoriasis), not the shampoo, and a doctor is needed.
When:
  • when washing, rinsed off
when washing the hair; suitable for daily use
When to expect an effect: do not expect a separate effect from peony — judge the product by how mild its cleansing base is
What is normal: no noticeable change from the extract itself in the first weeks

Ingredients — 13 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 13 ingredients: peony extract. A sensitive scalp needs two things: a mild cleansing base without harsh sulfates and fragrance, and a soothing ingredient — panthenol, allantoin or bisabolol. Itching and tightness ease within 1–2 weeks; if not, the cause is the skin (dermatitis, psoriasis), not the shampoo, and a doctor is needed.

Strengths: tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: no proven effect when applied: peony extract; completeness for the purpose: for “sensitive scalp” — 20 %; cleansing base: mild surfactants: coco-betaine, decyl glucoside, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate

Questions: fragrance and its allergens: fragrance — 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

  • WATER (AQUA)* 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
  • DISODIUM LAURETH SULFOSUCCINATE base: coating, fillers · a mild anionic surfactant: it foams almost like the sulfates but is tolerated far better. Common in baby products.
  • CETEARETH-60 MYRISTYL GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · keeps the water and oil parts from separating
  • 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.
  • DECYL GLUCOSIDE* base: coating, fillers · one of the gentlest cleansing ingredients: a sugar surfactant that barely disturbs the skin barrier.
  • PROPYLENE GLYCOL* base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • PAEONIA LACTIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT* works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: peony root extract
  • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.
  • CITRIC ACID* base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • FRAGRANCE (PARFUM 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
  • POLYQUATERNIUM-22 base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • RED 33 (CI 17200 base: coating, fillers · a red colorant of decorative cosmetics; does not clog pores
  • SODIUM BENZOATE base: coating, fillers · a preservative both in cosmetics and in supplements: a salt of benzoic acid that works in an acidic medium. Permitted as food additive E211 and in cosmetics up to 0.5 %.
  • TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works

Klorane Organic Peony Shampoo is a product whose active ingredient is peony extract. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. There is no evidence of effect: peony root contains paeoniflorin, which lowers the inflammatory response of cells in laboratory work. But there are no studies in which peony extract soothed the scalp in people: the brand adds it as a soothing component, relying on tradition and its own materials. The formula has 13 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: FRAGRANCE (PARFUM (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). A sensitive scalp needs two things: a mild cleansing base without harsh sulfates and fragrance, and a soothing ingredient — panthenol, allantoin or bisabolol. Itching and tightness ease within 1–2 weeks; if not, the cause is the skin (dermatitis, psoriasis), not the shampoo, and a doctor is needed. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), 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 — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: when washing the hair; suitable for daily use. When to expect an effect: do not expect a separate effect from peony — judge the product by how mild its cleansing base is. Label score — 3.7 out of 10 (no proven effect when applied: peony extract; for “sensitive scalp” — 20 %; a narrow formula for one purpose; mild surfactants: coco-betaine, decyl glucoside, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate; irritation potential of the base — 25 % of sls; rinse-off product; debatable groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: for external use, avoid contact with the eyes. 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