Reactive Hair Editorial Team
This post was most recently updated on June 11th, 2023
Shampoo comes in various formulas, prices, and sizes. If a pocket-friendly sulfate-free shampoo designed to cater to your specific hair issue is what you are considering, then OGX is something you should consider. Our OGX shampoo reviews round up their 8 best lathering products for your specific hair type and need.
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We are going to take a closer look at the shampoos, key ingredients, real-life user experiences, disadvantages, and more.
OGX, A Brand Inspired by Experience and Science
Once named Organix, OGX was founded by Todd Christopher back in 2003. However, fast forward to 2013, the company faced a lawsuit against the name “Organix” as the products were not fully organic. Since then, they rebranded the line to OGX.
Three years later, Christopher sold the company to Johnson & Johnson. JJ continued the journey and worked closely with scientists to evolve the formulas that deliver science-backed and high-quality products. They’re also trying to make 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.
OGX offers a wide range of hair products that are free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. But unfortunately OGX is not cruelty-free or vegan. OGX Shampoos and conditioners customized for different hair needs and concerns, such as damaged, dry, thin, fine, and oily hair are a crowd favourite.
We take a look at their top 8 shampoos below.
8 Best OGX Shampoos for Different Hair Needs
Besides being pocket-friendly, OGX shampoos are crafted with safe, natural ingredients such as argan oil and coconut oil to name a few. They’re also pH balanced (4.0-6.5) which may help to reduce the chance of frizzy hair. We will help you determine which shampoo is the right fit for you.
- Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo (for fine, thin hair)
- Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo (for weak, damaged hair)
- Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Restoring & Strengthening Shampoo (for dry, dull hair)
- Anti-Breakage + Keratin Oil Shampoo (for breakage and split ends)
- Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo (for straightening hair cuticles)
- Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Dry Shampoo (for greasy, limp hair)
- Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo (for flaky scalp and buildup)
- Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo (extremely dry, damaged, and coarse hair)
Now, let’s take a closer look at them one by one.
For Fine & Thin Hair
Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
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Uses: Promote volumizing, stronger, and smooth locks.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, Collagen, and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
This biotin shampoo is ideal for those of you who want to plump up your hair volume and reverse signs of hair shedding. It has a thick consistency with a nice bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla scent. Unfortunately, this shampoo may leave residue, making your hair look greasy.
The OGX Biotin Shampoo also helps strengthen your hair to some extent thanks to collagen and wheat protein. However, if you intend to repair the damage, you’ll need to go with the Coconut Milk Shampoo for excellent results.
Check out our OGX Biotin and Collagen Shampoo review to find more details about the product.
For Weak & Damaged Hair
Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo
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Uses: Deeply nourish, moisturize, and strengthen your hair
Key Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk, and Egg White Proteins
Basically, this coconut milk shampoo is ideal for high-porosity hair. It has a creamy, silky texture and coconut scent that doesn’t leave your hair perfumed. The shampoo helps fortify and seal in your hair’s moisture, making it less likely to break.
However, it may weigh down fine and thin hair, making it look flat. Although it has sealing properties, the OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo may not be very helpful to reduce frizz. The Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo may do the trick.
Click here to explore more about the reliability of OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo.
For Dry & Dull Hair
Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Restoring & Strengthening Shampoo
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Uses: Restore hair strength and moisture, making it soft and shiny
Key Ingredients: Argan Oil of Morocco
If your locks really need intensive hydration, give this OGX shampoo a try. The creamy, concentrated formula helps revive and strengthen your hair in every use. It has a strong woody fragrance that leaves a fresh scent behind.
The OGX Argan Oil Shampoo is also safe for colored hair to help reduce damage after coloring. Some users noticed that it easily makes their hair oily the next day after washing. But, if you have very dry hair, this shampoo can be the right fit for you.
Read here to learn more about how Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo helps hydrate your hair.
For Breakage and Split Ends
Anti-Breakage + Keratin Oil Shampoo
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Uses: Helps strengthen your hair, as well as reduce and prevent breakage.
Key Ingredients: Keratin Proteins and Argan Oil
Boasting keratin and argan oil to fortify your strands and prevent breakage, this shampoo leaves weak hair healthy and more moisturized than before. This shampoo has a smooth, mild viscosity and nicely lathers on wet hair without residue left behind.
The shampoo also helps reduce frizz to some extent, leaving more manageable and soft hair. However, some users reported that the scent is too perfumy and lasts all day long.
For Straightening Hair Cuticles
Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo
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Uses: Soften and nourish your weakened hair cuticle, leaving it stronger and shinier
Key Ingredients: Brazilian Keratin Protein, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, and Cocoa Butter
If your rough and brittle hair keeps worsening over time, this Brazilian Keratin Shampoo may be your go-to lathering product. With its thick consistency, this shampoo works by creating protective layers on your hair to help protect against external damage and reduce frizz.
It nourishes your hair with protein and moisture, making it perfect to strengthen your hair and prevent a dull appearance. However, this shampoo may leave residue/ buildup and weigh down fine and oily hair.
For Greasy & Limp Hair
Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Dry Shampoo
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Uses: Help absorb sebum and refresh your hair in-between shampoo for revitalized hairstyle
Key Ingredients: Argan Oil of Morocco and Silk Protein
OGX’s Refresh Revitalize Dry Shampoo is pretty effective at absorbing excess oil that can weigh down your hair. This dry shampoo helps maintain a clean, fresh appearance, creating a matte and bouncier finish. It has a nice light mist, but the scent may be overpowering to people who are sensitive to fragrance.
Some users reported that the shampoo leaves a white residue, especially on dark hair. Moreover, it is advised to not use dry shampoo too often as it may cause buildup or flaking and lead to dryness. If you shampoo once or twice a week, make sure to double cleanse and condition your hair as usual.
For Flaky Scalp and Buildup
Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo
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Uses: Deeply cleanse your hair, reduce itching, and eliminate buildup
Key Ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Oil, and Witch Hazel
Packed with tea tree oil and peppermint oil, this shampoo delivers plenty of benefits of soothing and cleansing your scalp. It has a clear, weightless consistency and won’t weigh your hair down. The scent is very minty but doesn’t linger after you rinse it.
However, this shampoo can be drying, especially if you have dry hair or scalp. It is packed with witch hazel, an astringent with great sebum-absorbing properties. Make sure to condition or deep condition your hair afterward to rebalance your hair’s moisture.
Extremely Dry, Damaged, and Coarse Hair
Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo
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Uses: Repair damaged hair, tame frizz/ flyaways, and promote soft hair
Key Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Essence of Tiare, and Vanilla Bean Extract
If you love to play with new colors, you may pay the price with brittle hair in the end. If so, it’s time to turn to Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo which is specially designed for extremely dry and damaged hair. The shampoo has a thick, creamy texture and lathers up very well.
It helps to add moisture and softness to your hair, creating a silky-smooth feel. With regular use, the shampoo improves your hair’s elasticity and prevents it from breaking easily. However, it may leave thick hair tangled after washing and weigh oily and fine hair down.
Overall, each shampoo is packed with its special ingredient blend that specifically targets different hair needs. Next, let’s take a look at the benefits of those ingredients.
OGX Shampoo Ingredients Breakdown
On top of being sulfate-free, OGX shampoo also contains no parabens, plastic microbeads, and phthalates.
For a class of drugstore hair products, OGX is quite a feat. Given that most drugstore shampoos may contain ‘filler’ ingredients (e.g. sulfates, parabens) that may do more harm than good.
However, OGX is not vegan and allergen-free. Some OGX shampoos contain wheat, gluten, dairy, or milk. Make sure to check the full ingredients before you decide to invest in OGX shampoo.
We cover OGX’s key ingredients and what they do individually.
Next, let’s check out real-life user reviews.
OGX Shampoo Reviews: What Do Customers Say?
Does OGX really make a difference? On Amazon, OGX shampoos have received thousands of reviews from their customers. Check the rating of each 8 best OGX shampoos below:
- Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 7,638+ ratings
- Coconut Milk Shampoo: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 8,975+ ratings
- Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Restoring & Strengthening Shampoo: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 5,107+ ratings
- Anti-Breakage + Keratin Oil Shampoo: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6,578+ ratings
- Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 7,404+ ratings
- Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Dry Shampoo: 4.3 out of 5 stars from 11,810+ ratings
- Extra Strength Teatree Mint Shampoo: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 11,811+ ratings
- Extra Strength Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 16,827+ ratings
All OGX best shampoos have received thousands of reviews with Extra Strength Coconut Oil Shampoo having the highest number, followed by Extra Strength Teatree Mint Shampoo and Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Dry Shampoo. Now, let’s check what they say about the performance of OGX shampoo.
The Compliments
A majority of users have said that the products cleanse their hair very well and help reduce frizz. One user wrote:
“Cleans my hair, keeps it moisturized, smells pleasant, tames my frizz, and not a trace of dandruff/dryness/buildup in my scalp after about 2 uses. I highly recommend it. I’m Asian with straight medium coarse hair.”
Another user added that OGX shampoo is really a great brand and a game-changer for her hair compared to other shampoos she used before.
“I have been using OGX products in an effort to avoid chemicals in my hair. OGX seems to do the trick, independent of the version you purchase. I have tried 3 OGX versions including Coconut Milk, Teatree Mint, and Biotin & Collagen. As someone with straight, thin hair this is the one I feel that works the best. It leaves my hair soft and smooth. Combing my hair becomes so easy.”
Besides the reliability, many shoppers are happy with the price of OGX shampoo on Amazon.
“If this OGX brand is what you love, I’d highly recommend purchasing it ASAP. It’s impossible to find these for less than $9 a bottle. On Amazon, they’re half that cost. I couldn’t believe it.”
The site also showcases the reactions of users loving their smooth and healthy hair after using OGX shampoos.
“I have a brunette and fine, not thin/ thinning hair. Both regular argan oil and extra strength versions even without the conditioner leave my hair extra silky-smooth, more manageable, and bring out my natural colors and tones that are sometimes opaque by cheap or heavily moisturizing shampoos.”
Overall, most OGX shampoos helped revive their once-healthy hair and delivered proper hydration to support overall hair health. Now, let’s check out the negative reviews.
The Complaints
OGX Shampoo also got several bad reviews. One of the standout reviews is that sometimes the shampoo is tough to get out.
“My problem is the shampoo is thick and is difficult to squeeze out of the bottle with one hand. I prefer pumps that work or at least an easier squeeze bottle.”
Besides the packaging, some users noticed that most OGX Shampoos made their hair look greasy and limp, especially on fine/ oily hair.
“The scent of this shampoo is great, but I feel like the major drawback is how it makes my hair feel greasy/ oily the very next day. I think this is a decent buy, but will probably end up switching to a different product soon.”
Another issue some are concerned about is that OGX shampoo contains similar ingredients to sulfates that cause hair dryness.
“This product is classified as Sulfate free, but it contains an alternate form of sulfate called Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, which is derived from coconuts. My hair became dry and started breaking, as it used to do when I was using sulfate shampoos. I will be switching back to my sulfate-free shampoo, which I will use with the OGX Coconut conditioner.”
Moreover, some reported that OGX shampoos worked well, but then made their hair unhealthy over time. This could be due to the OGX shampoo containing silicones. So you may need to use a detox shampoo as mentioned below.
“It made my hair feel amazing at first.. and I love the smell… but then I got horrible wax build up and my hair was miserable to brush.”
If you’re not completely satisfied with the shampoo, the company offers a Money-Back Guarantee program for products purchased from 01/01/23 to 03/31/24.
Now, let’s take a look at the disadvantages of OGX shampoo.
Disadvantages and Possible Side Effects
After we check the full ingredients, OGX shampoos contain several icky ingredients that may pose adverse effects to some people. Below we give you a detail of those ingredients and their disadvantages:
May cause hair dryness
In general, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is safe to be used in hair care products as a surfactant. However, some people with extremely dry, curly, coily, and coarse hair may find it too drying. Make sure to condition or deep condition your hair after washing if you have hair that dries out easily.
OGX Shampoo contains “bad” silicones
PEG-7 Amodimethicone and Dimethicone are present in OGX Shampoos. They may help moisturize your hair due to the humectant properties that can attract moisture from the air. However, silicones may build up your hair and cause dry and brittle hair over time.
Since they’re both non-water soluble, it may need a couple of sessions to eliminate residue from your hair with a detox shampoo, such as Biolage Clean Reset Normalizing Shampoo, Biolage All-in-One Shampoo Scrub, or Ouai Detox Shampoo.
Eye Irritation
OGX Shampoo contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate. They’re both surfactants that help remove impurities and dirt on your hair and scalp.
However, these may cause eye irritation, such as redness, pain, or itching if the shampoo runs into your eyes as you shower. Immediately rinse the product away from your eyes.
OGX contains formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
The company claims that OGX is free of formaldehyde donors. However, some OGX shampoos contain Diazolidinyl Urea (e.g. Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo and Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Shampoo) and DMDM Hydantoin (e.g. Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo), which are widely known as formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
Formaldehyde is a controversial substance that is presumed to have carcinogenic potential when heated. However, there is very little evidence that formaldehyde-releasing preservatives may cause this severe health concern.
This is because shampoo only uses an extremely low concentration of formaldehyde. Plus, it is a rinse-off product (not left on the skin) and can’t be inhaled or ingested.
But, if you are highly sensitive to formaldehyde, this may cause chemical burns, allergic skin reactions, or rashes. It is advised to stay clear of the product to avoid unwanted allergic reactions.
It is not free of artificial color, fragrance, and allergens
OGX contains ingredients that may pose a high risk of allergic reactions. Make sure to always check the list of OGX shampoo ingredients before using the products.
Now, let’s take a look at similar products to OGX.
Alternatives to OGX Shampoos
If you’re looking for similar pocket-friendly and sulfate-free shampoo, you may want to consider these drugstore shampoos. They’re offered by TRESemmé, Shea Moisture, and Aveeno.
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo
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This keratin shampoo features Lamellar-Discipline™ technology that helps to tame frizz, detangle, and add hair softness. If you have frizzy hair, TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo (along with the conditioner) helps promote sleek, shiny hair for up to 72 hours.
It is also cruelty-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free. You can get the shampoo for $19.75 (22 fl oz) currently on Amazon.
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Shampoo
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Dry, damaged hair should consider adding this Shea Moisture Shampoo into your routine. It is packed with shea butter and manuka honey that provide strong hydration to your lifeless hair. Yogurt protein helps to improve your hair texture and manageability.
The shampoo is also free of parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, and animal testing. A bottle of this shampoo only costs you $9.99 currently for 13 fl oz.
Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Shampoo
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If you intend to add volume and body to your fine or medium hair, well you may want to try Aveeno Greens Blend Shampoo. It is infused with scientific-backed ingredients (rosemary and peppermint oils) that soothe your scalp and promote fuller-looking hair.
Not only is the shampoo free of sulfates, but it is also paraben-free and dye-free. The cost of the Greens Blend Shampoo is currently $8.12 for 12 fl oz.
Bottom Line: Extremely Affordable, Effective, Sulfate-free Shampoos
With OGX shampoos as low as $10, no need to spend the big bucks to get a good shampoo to meet your hair needs. Each OGX shampoo is crafted with exotic, scientific-backed ingredients that nourish and repair your hair from within. But when it comes to packaging, the bottle should be better since it’s very hard to squeeze for easy product dispensing.
Hope our OGX shampoo reviews were helpful to help you determine which shampoo is best for you. Leave us with questions in the comment section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is OGX shampoo good for hair?
Overall, OGX can be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a quality, affordable shampoo. Plus, you’ll get to pick a shampoo that is specifically tailored for your hair needs. However, some ingredients could be better since they might bring unwanted adverse effects to your hair.
Should I use OGX shampoo every day?
It is recommended to use OGX Shampoo every other day or three days. This will help to preserve your hair’s natural oil and prevent over-drying due to excessive wash.
Is OGX shampoo good for thinning hair?
You can opt for Thick & Full Biotin+ Collagen Shampoo which is designed to promote healthy, fuller-looking hair.
Is OGX a safe brand to use?
OGX may be free of sulfates and parabens, but it contains icky ingredients that may harm your hair. These include synthetic dyes, allergens, formaldehyde-released preservatives, and silicones. Kindly double-check the ingredients and allergies you may have to avoid unnecessary side effects.
