Beauty Comparison
Herbal Essences Bio

Photo and link: Amazon

Herbal Essences

Bio

shampoo · 400 ml · Haircare

Herbal Essences Bio is free of essential oils, labelled fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, silicones and parabens, going by its full 23-ingredient list, with glycerin. List checked November 5, 2026.

The catch: it contains fragrance (Fragrance), sulfates (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and MI / MCI (Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone).

  • Contains fragrance
  • No essential oils
  • No labelled fragrance allergens
  • No drying alcohol
  • Contains sulfates
  • Silicone-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Contains MI / MCI

Listed on Amazon in: United Kingdom · Germany · France · Italy · Spain · Netherlands · Poland · Sweden

Key ingredients in Bio

  • Glycerin

    A classic humectant that keeps skin hydrated.

Full ingredient list, decoded

23 ingredients, in label order (highest amount first; below about 1% the order is free).

  1. 1WaterAqua is the INCI name for water, the main base of many creams, lotions and cleansers…
  2. 2Sodium Laureth SulfateSodium laureth sulfate is a cleansing agent, called a surfactant, that lifts oil and…Sulfates
  3. 3Sodium ChlorideA simple mineral salt, made of sodium and chloride, used mainly to adjust thickness and…
  4. 4Sodium XylenesulfonateA salt made from xylene that helps oily and poorly soluble ingredients stay mixed into…
  5. 5Cocamidopropyl BetaineA mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent that creates foam and helps other cleansers…
  6. 6Sodium Lauryl SulfateSodium Lauryl Sulfate is a strong surfactant, a cleansing agent that lifts oil and dirt…Sulfates
  7. 7FragranceAroma is a label term for a scent blend added to a product to give it a pleasant smell.Fragrance
  8. 8Sodium CitrateSodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid, a mild, fruit-derived acid. It mainly…
  9. 9GlycerinGlycerin is a clear, thick, odorless liquid that pulls water into the skin and helps…
  10. 10Stearyl AlcoholStearyl Alcohol is a waxy fatty alcohol, often made from plant oils, that thickens…
  11. 11Citric AcidCitric acid is a mild, naturally occurring acid found in citrus fruit. In skincare and…
  12. 12Sodium BenzoateSodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, a water-soluble powder used mainly…
  13. 13Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideA plant-based conditioning polymer made from guar gum, a bean-derived sugar chain with…
  14. 14Cetyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a waxy fatty alcohol that softens skin and helps creams and lotions…
  15. 15Tetrasodium EDTATetrasodium EDTA is the salt form of EDTA, a chelating agent that binds metal ions in…
  16. 16Polyquaternium-6
  17. 17TrihydroxystearinTrihydroxystearin is a waxy, castor-derived ingredient that thickens oils and gives…
  18. 18HistidineHistidine is an amino acid, one of the small building blocks that make up proteins. In…
  19. 19Argania Spinosa Kernel OilArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil is a plant oil pressed from argan tree kernels. It mainly…
  20. 20MethylchloroisothiazolinoneA preservative from the isothiazolinone family that keeps water-based products free…MI / MCI
  21. 21MethylisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinone, often shortened to MI, is a synthetic preservative that stops…MI / MCI
  22. 22CI 19140
  23. 23CI 17200

Source: Open Beauty Facts (ODbL), world.openbeautyfacts.org/product/8001090222848, retrieved November 5, 2026.

Every flag we check

CheckResultIngredients found
FragranceContainsFragrance (#7)
Essential oilsNone listed—
Labelled fragrance allergensNone listed—
Drying alcoholNone listed—
SulfatesContainsSodium Laureth Sulfate (#2), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (#6)
SiliconesNone listed—
ParabensNone listed—
MI / MCIContainsMethylchloroisothiazolinone (#20), Methylisothiazolinone (#21)
Formaldehyde releasersNone listed—
Mineral oil & petrolatumNone listed—
LanolinNone listed—
Chemical UV filtersNone listed—

Frequently asked questions

Is Herbal Essences Bio fragrance-free?

No. Herbal Essences Bio contains Fragrance (ingredient 7 of 23).

Does Herbal Essences Bio contain silicones, sulfates or parabens?

Silicones: none listed. Sulfates: yes (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). Parabens: none listed.

What is Herbal Essences Bio good for?

By its ingredient list it fits acne-prone skin and pregnancy: it passes every free-from rule we set for those needs. Key ingredients: Glycerin.

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