Does Pantene Only Coat Hair with Silicones and Provide No Real Nourishment?

any people are worried about what’s in their hair care products and how these ingredients might affect their hair and health. These concerns grew after a viral post claimed that Pantene just covers hair with silicones instead of actually nourishing it.

Social Media Posts

A Facebook user shared a video claiming that “Pantene Pro-V – Coats your hair with silicone, not real nourishment”.

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Fact Check

Silicone Presence in Pantene Pro-V

Pantene Pro-V products contain silicones, including dimethicone and dimethiconol. These ingredients form a barrier around hair strands that can smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz. This provides temporary improvements in hair appearance and manageability.

However, Pantene Pro-V also includes nourishing ingredients beyond silicones. Notably, it contains pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol and panthenyl ethyl ether), strengthening lipids (stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol), antioxidants, and moisturising agents like glycerin. Regularly using these ingredients can penetrate the hair shaft and may improve hair condition, including texture and resilience. (Source)

Nonetheless, a research pointed out that Pantene shampoos generally contain lower concentrations of natural, nourishing ingredients compared to some other brands, which often emphasize higher levels of botanical extracts or oils. According to a pharmaceutical evaluation comparing different shampoo brands, Pantene formulations primarily rely on synthetic surfactants and conditioning agents, with fewer natural extracts than brands like Herbal Essences or Ultra Doux, which tend to include more plant-based ingredients. Similarly, Looking at Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Silky Conditioner’s ingredients on INCI Decoder shows that while it contains beneficial natural ingredients like argan oil and pro-vitamin B5, these are found in smaller amounts. Most of the formula consists of synthetic ingredients like stearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, cetyl alcohol, and silicones1. Since cosmetic labels list ingredients from highest to lowest concentration, this tells us that Pantene’s approach is to use natural ingredients primarily for marketing appeal, while relying mainly on synthetic ingredients for the product’s core functions.

We have contacted P&G to provide further context on this matter and will update this article once we receive their response.

Health and Safety Evaluations

According to safety assessments by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), different Pantene products receive different safety ratings based on their ingredients.

While some ingredients raise concerns, the EWG doesn’t consider the brand dangerous overall. For their part, Pantene maintains that they carefully check all ingredients for safety. See the score here.

Many ingredients in Pantene shampoos that could pose potential health risks are also found in other mainstream hair care brands. These include sulfates, silicones, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives like MIT/MCI. These ingredients remain widespread in the personal care industry due to their effectiveness and low cost.

Potentially Harmful Ingredients

Pantene shampoos commonly include sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate), which are effective cleansers but can strip natural oils from hair and scalp, potentially causing dryness, irritation, and damage over time. They also contain silicones like dimethicone that coat hair but may cause buildup and clogged follicles, which some link to hair thinning or loss.

Some Pantene products have preservatives such as methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), which are known allergens and irritants and have been associated with immune system toxicity and skin reactions.

Additionally, research (see here and here) suggests that some ingredients in Pantene products may affect hormone function in the body, specifically parabens and phthalates, which some studies link to reproductive health concerns. The fragrances and dyes can also irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs in people sensitive to these ingredients.

2021 Recall Due to Benzene Contamination

According to Reuters‘ report on 2021, in December 2021, Procter & Gamble recalled several aerosol hair products due to benzene contamination. The recall included popular brands like Pantene, Herbal Essences, Aussie, Waterless, Old Spice, and Hair Food sold in the US and Canada. Benzene, which can cause blood cancers like leukaemia, was found in these products.

While P&G confirmed that the benzene levels weren’t high enough to cause health problems with regular use, they explained that the chemical came from the propellant in spray cans, not the products themselves. At the time, no health issues had been reported.

The company asked customers to stop using these products and offered refunds. This recall affected a small portion (less than 1%) of P&G’s hair care products. It was done as a precautionary measure, following similar recalls of other aerosol products like sunscreens and sanitisers that year.

Conclusion

The claim “Pantene coats your hair with silicone, not real nourishment” needs proper context. Our investigation shows that Pantene Pro-V contains both silicones for coating and nourishing ingredients like pro-vitamin B5, antioxidants, and lipids. While the product provides both benefits, synthetic coating ingredients comprise a greater portion of the formula than natural nourishing components.

A few key safety issues deserve attention. In 2021, Pantene recalled products due to benzene contamination, which was concerning since benzene can be harmful. Additionally, the products contain ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and certain preservatives that may cause problems for some people. While these ingredients are commonly found in many hair care brands, it’s important for consumers to research the potential effects and decide what’s best for their individual needs.

Sources:

Pantene Essential Ingredients