Dove Hair Care

Dove At-A-Glance
   Strengths: Inexpensive; widely available; reliable shampoos and conditioners for those with normal to slightly dry hair; some good hairsprays.
   Weaknesses: Repetitive shampoo, conditioner, and styling product formulas with varying claims; some products contain the irritant TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate (not the worst hair-care ingredient but by no means a good one); no styling gels, pomades, or other texture-enhancing options; no silicone serums (a basic product to serve the needs of those with coarse, frizz-prone hair).

 

   Dove’s hair-care products have undergone changes and unexpected transformations over the years. What was once a comprehensive, well-organized lineup has turned into a group of products whose categories are relatively incomplete, especially in comparison to other hair care lines. What’s more frustrating is that much like rival company Procter & Gamble’s Pantene and Clairol hair-care lines, Dove has a penchant for recycling the same basic shampoo and conditioner regardless of the hair type indicated on the label. So, whether your hair needs volume, is dry, rebellious, frizz-prone, or color-treated you’re going to get the same shampoo or conditioner only with a different name. L’Oreal and Garnier Frutis does this too, but at least those brands have differentiated their products just enough to offer consumers hair care that is somewhat more tailored to an individual’s needs and preferences. 
   In an ironic twist, which unfortunately is not new to me, when I first reviewed Dove’s hair-care products in mid-2003, the company (whose public relations office sent me the entire hair-care line, a gesture that is always appreciated) took me to task for not praising their first attempt at hair care. They were bothered that I mentioned that all of their shampoos contained the scalp-drying ingredient ammonium xylenesulfonate. Since then, that ingredient is gone from their products, only to be replaced by TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate in several products (though it’s not an across-the-board red flag like it was before). The latter also has the potential to cause scalp dryness and irritation, especially in leave-on products. TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a chemical that assists in the cleansing process; however, it’s not an essential ingredient, and Dove could have left it out of their formulas. On the other hand, it’s certainly not as much of a problem for hair or scalp as other drying detergent cleansing agents or scalp irritants. 
   So what about the latest line of Dove hair care? In the five years since I first reviewed them, their attempted strides have mostly amounted to baby steps. There are still problem products to watch out for, and the overall product choice is best for those with normal to slightly dry hair that is normal to slightly thick, curly, or coarse. That leaves a lot of hair types out of the mix! Considering the financial clout and scientific staff behind Unilever, they certainly could have produced a more diverse range of products suitable for each of the various hair types. Although their hair-care products are not to be dismissed outright, the fact is that Dove doesn’t seem to have their heart in this category and you hair deserves better than what they’ve developed.

   For more information about Dove, call (800) 761-3683 or visit www.dove.us.