This winter, I’m all about ginger – ginger in my tea, ginger ale in my cocktail, and now ginger in my hair. Here’s what I bought recently to give my flake frenzied scalp some soothing TLC. – Lotus Botanicals Ginger Root Dandruff-Control Shampoo.

This is the first product I’ve used from Lotus Botanicals’ hair care range and here’s my take on this.

Lotus Botanicals Ginger Root Dandruff-Control Shampoo Review

Describe the brand in three words:

Wellness. Botanical. Cruelty-free.

What is it?

An SLS-free, anti-dandruff shampoo enriched with ginger root extract and tea tree oil to fight flakes and soothe the scalp.

Who is it for?

Suitable for all types of scalp and hair. However, those with dry scalp, dandruff, itchiness, flakes, and damaged hair can derive maximum benefit from this shampoo.

Key Benefits?

• Contains ginger root and tea tree oil which is well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-microbial properties.
• Ginger root also boosts hair growth and improves hair texture.
• SLS free. Cleanses scalp without drying the hair.
• Free from parabens and other toxic chemicals, hence good for chemically damaged and color-treated hair.
• Relieves itchiness and flakiness due to dandruff and dryness.

What’s in it?

Aqua, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Polyglyceryl-2 Tristearate (and) Laureth-3 (and) Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside (and) Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Coco diethanolamide, Climbazole, Polyquaternium-6, Panthenol, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid (and) Phenethyl Alcohol, Fragrance.

What’s not in it?

Sulfates, parabens, toxic chemicals, mineral oil, and silicones.

Possibly allergy/trouble/harm causing any ingredient?

No.

Natural? Organic? Man-made? Vegan?

A mixture of science, nature, organic, and vegan.

How does it smell?

The shampoo smells predominantly of tea tree oil and faintly of ginger.  But at the same time, it has subtle hints of citrus and herbal notes to it. I am not sure if everyone will like the fragrance.

How do you use it?

Gently massage the ginger shampoo onto your wet scalp with your fingertips. After working it on your scalp for some time rinse it off thoroughly.

How’s the packaging?

Lotus Botanicals Ginger Root Dandruff Control shampoo comes packaged in a green plastic pump dispenser bottle. The bottle is sturdy and dispenses just the right amount of product you require for a wash. However, the 300 ml bottle is bulky and not quite suitable for travel purposes.

How much does it cost?

The 300 ml bottle of this ginger root shampoo retails at INR 495.

Does it really help with dandruff?

Yes, unless you’re suffering from seborrheic dermatitis. Ginger root is a potent ingredient that has been scientifically proven to prevent dandruff and also promote hair growth with its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-septic properties.

What’s good about it?

• Contains high-quality botanicals and natural oils.
• Balances the pH level of your scalp by maintaining an appropriate moisture level.
• Soothes itchy scalp and prevents dandruff.
• Free from mineral oil, silicones, SLS, parabens, and other harmful chemicals.

What’s not so good about it?

• At INR 495, it is pricey compared to most other dandruff shampoos in the market.
• Also, while it’s good in preventing dandruff it’s not exceptional either. A regular drugstore dandruff shampoo in the market can do the same job at the fraction of the cost.
• It doesn’t produce a satisfactory lather. But given the fact that it’s an organic SLS-free shampoo, it’s expected to make minimal foam.

Would I purchase/repurchase?

No.

I have zero loyalty when it comes to hair care. I keep switching things up because I have this feeling that there’s something out there, that’s BETTER than the one I have in my hand.

Do you need it?

Yes, only if you’re looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo that’s totally organic and free from toxic chemicals.

My personal experience and take on the shampoo

Lotus Botanicals Ginger Root Dandruff Control shampoo review –

It is by far the mildest anti-dandruff shampoo I’ve used to date. The translucent shampoo smells like tea tree oil to me. The scent is sort of herbal and botanical, which not many people will like in their hair. But I have, however, grown to appreciate the scent over the last two months of its usage.

The active ingredients are ginger root extract and tea tree oil. Ginger root is well-researched for stimulating the follicles and promoting hair growth. Along with tea tree oil, ginger makes a potent combination against dandruff, flakiness, itch, and irritation. The only snag is that it doesn’t produce enough lather.

But then, it’s an organic SLS-free shampoo designed to make minimal foam. And if you’re like me, who believes that suds are the enemy of the dirt then you’re in for a little disappointment with this shampoo.

When I first worked the shampoo into my hair, there was no lather. Upon the second wash, still not much foam or bubbles. But before I could attempt a third wash believing, no suds no cleanse, I saw all the grit and grime washing away from my hair.

My scalp felt cleansed and appeased. And to my surprise, I noticed only a few strands in the drain. Which for someone like me, who suffers from perpetual hair fall, is a big plus. But it left my strands a little thirsty, so that’s a drawback.

Now coming to the very reason for its existence, i.e., controlling dandruff, well, it is effective but it doesn’t work as quickly as Heads and Shoulders. Normally for me, it takes only 3-4 washes with regular dandruff shampoo to remove all the flakes.

But with Lotus Botanicals ginger root dandruff control shampoo, it took me a whopping couple of months to finally get rid of my dandruff problem. So, this stuff works but it works slowly. And over these last two months of using this shampoo, I’ve developed a kind of love-hate relationship with it.

I love this ginger root shampoo for all its botanical goodness. And for the fact that besides preventing flakes, it also saves my precious strands from post-shampoo shedding and other hair loss. But I hate this shampoo for not producing a satisfying lather in the shower. And for leaving my hair dry and thirsty.

R2B Rating: 3/5