L'Oreál Paris EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo

L'Oreál Paris photo

Last night I Googled, "smooth hair paraben silicones free" hoping to find some new and uplifting information about products, ingredients ... anything. The most interesting result was a product from L'Oreál Paris called, "EverSleek". With one click I was on "L'Oreál's very slick website.

There I found several products in the EverSleek line, all promising to smooth and de-frizz and to, "put you in control" because, "we're worth it". I was definitely intrigued. I watched a short video of the talented and inspiring Jennifer Lopez dance, pose and whip around some amazingly long, shiny, smooth and healthy looking hair.


I remember watching Jen at the beginning of her career. She was a "fly-girl": an amazing dancer on that great, groundbreaking show, "In Living Color". Back then her hair had a lot of texture and curl, a lot of beautiful natural "bling".

Being the owner of textured haired myself I understand its stubborn nature. When it used to be important to me to beat my curls and waves into sleek submission it bounced back to its natural state with even a hint of breeze or moisture.

So this sleek shiny hair she was swinging...  well, this was nothing short of amazing. And Jennifer, along with the text promised I could have this hair with, "no bad stuff...no parabens, no sulfates..." She so had me.

But I wrestled myself free from the bait long enough to go to Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database to look up the product. I couldn't believe how excited I felt. A lot of L'Oreál products were already listed, but not this one. So slowly, laboriously I typed in the long list of ingredients. I wanted the results and I wanted them NOW. The suspense was killing me...

And ... I was mightily disappointed at the reveal.  L'Oreál Paris EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo's score was 7- a high hazard. That doesn't mean I think it's a bad product. It's just not for me...might be wonderful for other people.

So with another hope shattered, l pass along my findings.
What follows are the full results with a disclaimer first of course. If you're looking for a quick synopsis the first few paragraphs should suffice.

Here's the link if you'd like to do your own research: Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep. 

Please note - If you're doing your own research you won't be able to search for my report on this product. Whenever the ingredients are provided by someone other than the company, Skin Deep has to review and okay the entire report before it becomes search-able. You can still get your own report. Either use the ingredient list I've provided or go to  L'Oreal Paris to get the product ingredients. Then input the information into the Skin Deep database.

If you want any assistance with using Skin Deep just leave me a comment. I check for comments daily and will get back to you ASAP.
PRELIMINARY REPORT: The information on this page was entered by a Skin Deep user and has not been verified by EWG. Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients in this product -- not the product itself -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

 L'Oreál Paris EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo 

Hazard Rating (Score):

Score Data Limited Health Concern HIGH Product Type Made by L'Oréal by L'Oréal Data last updated March 2011 how to read the score Ingredients from packaging: Water; Eau; Cocamidopropyl Betaine; Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate; Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate; Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate; Glycol Distearate; Sodium Chloride; Decyl Glucoside; Fragrance; Polyquaternium-10; PPG-5-Ceteth20; Sodium Benzoate; Coco-Bettaine; PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate; Propylene Glycol; Salicylic Acid; Carbomer; Benzoic Acid; Hexyl Cinnamal; Linalool; Benzyl Salicylate; Helianthus Annus Seed Extract; Sunflower Seed Extract; Limonene; Benzyl Alcohol; Citronellel;Sodium Hydroxide; Citric Acid Health Concerns of Ingredients:  Overall Hazard Cancer Developmental & reproductive toxicity Allergies & immunotoxicity Use restrictions Other HIGH concerns: Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards Other LOW concerns: Endocrine disruption, Ecotoxicology, Data gaps, Enhanced skin absorption Final Thoughts:  None for me, thanks.  Just in case you don't want to do your own research I've added the rest of the Skin Deep report below Neurotoxicity* *Listed below are neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity BENZYL ALCOHOL Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity FRAGRANCE One or more animal studies show brain, nervous system, or behavioral effects at very low doses SODIUM HYDROXIDE One or more animal studies show brain, nervous system, or behavioral effects at low doses SALICYLIC ACID One or more animal studies show brain, nervous system, or behavioral effects at moderate doses BENZOIC ACID, CITRONELLOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, LINALOOL One or more animal studies show brain, nervous system, or behavioral effects at high doses HEXYL CINNAMAL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE Allergies/immunotoxicity* *Listed below are allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Known human immune system toxicant BENZYL SALICYLATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, LIMONENE, FRAGRANCE Possible human immune system toxicant CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LINALOOL Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity PROPYLENE GLYCOL One or more human case studies show possible allergenic effects BENZYL ALCOHOL Persistence and bioaccumulation* *Listed below are persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife SALICYLIC ACID Not suspected to be bioaccumulative SODIUM HYDROXIDE Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)* *Listed below are organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at very low doses SODIUM HYDROXIDE One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses BENZOIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, SALICYLIC ACID Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity PEG-55 PROPYLENE GLYCOL OLEATE One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) CITRIC ACID, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRONELLOL, LIMONENE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LINALOOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL Miscellaneous* *Listed below are miscellaneous concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown FRAGRANCE Occupational hazards related to handling LIMONENE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE Multiple, additive exposure sources* *Listed below are multiple, additive exposure sources concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available GLYCOL DISTEARATE, SALICYLIC ACID Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food BENZOIC ACID, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRIC ACID, CITRONELLOL, LIMONENE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LINALOOL, PEG-55 PROPYLENE GLYCOL OLEATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)* *Listed below are irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Classified as irritant LIMONENE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LINALOOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses BENZOIC ACID, BENZYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses CITRIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE One or more animal studies show skin irritation at high doses SODIUM BENZOATE Occupational hazards* *Listed below are occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses BENZYL ALCOHOL No workplace limits set SODIUM HYDROXIDE Use restrictions* *Listed below are use restrictions concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. type of concern ingredient(s) Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE, BENZOIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE, CITRIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only if satisfies manufacturing specifications or purity limits, according to industry safety panel (International Fragrance Association) LIMONENE, LINALOOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, BENZYL ALCOHOL Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications BENZOIC ACID, BENZYL ALCOHOL, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PEG-55 PROPYLENE GLYCOL OLEATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE