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Smooth Proof Shampoo
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This shampoo is formulated with Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a primary surfactant known for its cleansing efficacy but also its potential to irritate sensitive skin. The presence of 'Fragrance' without specific disclosure of its components, along with declared fragrance allergens like Limonene, means individuals with fragrance sensitivities or allergies should exercise caution. While several beneficial oils and extracts are listed, their trace amounts suggest they do not significantly contribute to the product's overall formulation strength. The product is a rinse-off formulation, which generally reduces the risk associated with potential irritants and allergens compared to leave-on products.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Coco-Betaine
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate and undisclosed fragrance blend
This shampoo uses Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common cleansing agent that can be irritating for sensitive skin. It also contains an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend, which is a common source of allergens, alongside individually declared fragrance allergens like Limonene. People with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should be aware of these ingredients.
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Just checking whether the product is safe? The analysis above is yours, no account needed. To know if it is safe for you, your father or your child, add a profile and we check this label against them.
- Ingredients you avoid. Sulphates, parabens, silicones, fragrance, drying alcohol, PEGs and more.
- Sensitivities. Sensitive skin, hormonal considerations, pregnancy.
- Skin and hair goals. Acne, dryness, ageing, hair fall, dandruff: what the label declares for each.
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Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for haircare. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Why the score is capped
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
What's good
Includes mild co-surfactant Coco-Betaine to balance cleansing
Contains conditioning agents like Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Watch out for
Potential for skin irritation due to Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend and multiple declared fragrance allergens may trigger sensitivities
Silicones (Dimethicone, Amodimethicone) can lead to product build-up on hair over time
Preservatives like Sodium Benzoate and Phenoxyethanol have specific cautions for certain populations
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Sodium Benzoate (E211)
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Sodium Benzoate: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES is a cleansing agent that is milder than SLS but can still irritate very sensitive or compromised skin. Separately, because it is made by ethoxylation, it may carry a residue of 1,4-dioxane, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The ingredient list cannot show whether any is present or how much. The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic to be safe, and manufacturers reduce it by vacuum stripping.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FDA; EU SCCS
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance Allergens (EU-listed)
These are individual fragrance components that are known contact allergens. EU rules require them to be named on the label when present above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off), because "parfum" alone would hide them. Limonene and linalool are especially common and become more allergenic as they oxidise on exposure to air. This is a risk for people who are sensitised, not a general-population hazard.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545 (extended fragrance-allergen labelling); SCCS opinions on fragrance allergens
Fragrance Allergens (EU-listed): regulation, sources and other products →Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is the most widely used paraben-free preservative. The EU limits it to 1% in cosmetics (SCCS has confirmed this is safe for adults), and the French regulator ANSM advised in 2012 against leave-on products containing it for the nappy area of children under three and recommended a lower concentration for them. It can irritate sensitive skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V (max 1.0%); SCCS opinion SCCS/1575/16; ANSM recommendation (2012)
Phenoxyethanol: regulation, sources and other products →Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic acne and dandruff active. EU rules cap it (3% in leave-on products) and bar it from leave-on products for children under three years except shampoos, because it is absorbed through the skin and is chemically related to aspirin. Dermatologists commonly advise limiting high-strength use in pregnancy.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex III (conditions of use); SCCS opinion on salicylic acid
Salicylic Acid: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance
"Fragrance" or "parfum" is a catch-all term that can conceal a blend of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including known allergens, sensitisers, and potential endocrine disruptors. The EU now mandates disclosure of 82 specific fragrance allergens. People with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or contact dermatitis should prefer fragrance-free products.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545; IFRA
Fragrance: regulation, sources and other products →Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is both a preservative (permitted up to 1% in the EU) and one of the fragrance substances the EU requires to be named on a label because it can cause contact allergy in sensitised people. It is information for someone who knows they react to it, not a general hazard.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex III and Annex V
Benzyl Alcohol: regulation, sources and other products →Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)
PEG ingredients are made by ethoxylation, which can leave traces of ethylene oxide (IARC Group 1) and 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B) unless removed. Good manufacturing removes them, so the ingredient itself is not a hazard, but the label cannot tell you whether it was done well. PEGs should not be applied to broken skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monographs Vol. 100F (ethylene oxide) and Vol. 71 (1,4-dioxane); Cosmetic Ingredient Review
Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs): regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a surfactant known to cause irritation in sensitive skin and may contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans) as a manufacturing impurity. The SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic safe.
Contains 'Fragrance' without specific disclosure of its components, which is a common source of allergens. Individuals with fragrance sensitivities should be cautious.
Contains declared fragrance allergens (Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Benzyl Alcohol) which can cause sensitisation in susceptible individuals.
Contains Salicylic Acid, which is not recommended for leave-on use on children under 3 and has limits during pregnancy. As a rinse-off product, exposure is brief, reducing risk.
Contains Phenoxyethanol, a preservative for which French regulators advise caution for use on children under 3.
Combined Effects interactions
While Sodium Benzoate can form benzene in the presence of Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid is not Vitamin C. However, both are mild irritants and their combined presence could theoretically increase the potential for irritation in highly sensitive individuals, though this is a rinse-off product.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The label does not provide information on the concentration of any ingredient in micrograms per 100 ml, so this claim cannot be verified.
The claim 'FRIZZY HAIR' indicates the product's intended use or target hair type, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The ingredient list confirms the presence of both Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil and Glycerin.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
WaterAQUA / WATER
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2.
Sodium Laureth SulfateSODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
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3.
DimethiconeDIMETHICONE
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4.
Sodium ChlorideSODIUM CHLORIDE
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5.
Coco-BetaineCOCO-BETAINE
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6.
Glycol DistearateGLYCOL DISTEARATE
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7.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
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8.
Cocamide MIPACOCAMIDE MIPA
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9.
Sodium BenzoateSODIUM BENZOATE
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10.
Sodium HydroxideSODIUM HYDROXIDE
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11.
AmodimethiconeAMODIMETHICONE
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12.
Fragrance undisclosed fragrancePARFUM / FRAGRANCE
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13.
Salicylic AcidSALICYLIC ACID
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14.
CarbomerCARBOMER
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15.
Hexylene GlycolHEXYLENE GLYCOL
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16.
LimoneneLIMONENE
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17.
PEG-100 StearatePEG-100 STEARATE
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18.
Steareth-6STEARETH-6
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19.
PhenoxyethanolPHENOXYETHANOL
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20.
Trideceth-10TRIDECETH-10
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21.
Trideceth-3TRIDECETH-3
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22.
Coconut Oil trace amountCOCOS NUCIFERA OIL / COCONUT OIL
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23.
Hexyl CinnamalHEXYL CINNAMAL
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24.
CoumarinCOUMARIN
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25.
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil trace amountCAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL
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26.
Benzyl AlcoholBENZYL ALCOHOL
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27.
Acetic AcidACETIC ACID
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28.
Fumaric AcidFUMARIC ACID
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29.
TocopherolTOCOPHEROL
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
Fragrance allergens are substances EU cosmetics rules require to be named on the label (such as Limonene and Linalool). Fragrant botanicals such as essential oils are grouped with them because they can naturally contain such substances, but they are not on that list. They matter mainly for people with fragrance allergies or already-sensitive skin — not a general-population safety issue. Each named allergen takes a small deduction from the ingredient score, and a high count can cap it; fragrant botanicals take none. Naming them on the label is a transparency positive.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other shampoo products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Smooth Proof Shampoo?
The label of Smooth Proof Shampoo lists 29 ingredients, in label order: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cocamide MIPA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Amodimethicone, Fragrance, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-6, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-10, Trideceth-3, Coconut oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, COUMARIN, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Acetic Acid, Fumaric Acid, Tocopherol. Flagged by the analysis: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Fragrance, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol.
Is Smooth Proof Shampoo safe to use?
Smooth Proof Shampoo scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This shampoo uses Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common cleansing agent that can be irritating for sensitive skin. It also contains an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend, which is a common source of allergens, alongside individually declared fragrance allergens like Limonene. People with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should be aware of these ingredients.
Why does Smooth Proof Shampoo score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Potential for skin irritation due to Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend and multiple declared fragrance allergens may trigger sensitivities. Also noted: Silicones (Dimethicone, Amodimethicone) can lead to product build-up on hair over time.
Who should avoid Smooth Proof Shampoo?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin; Fragrance allergy; Avoiding ethoxylated ingredients; Avoiding undisclosed fragrance blends.
Does Smooth Proof Shampoo contain allergens?
Yes — the label lists 3 fragrance allergens: Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal and COUMARIN. These matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Does Smooth Proof Shampoo contain fragrance?
Yes — the ingredient list includes Fragrance. Fragrance is declared as a single ingredient, so the individual scent chemicals in it are not named; the label does separately list 3 fragrance allergens (Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal and COUMARIN). This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Smooth Proof Shampoo pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 3 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "25 micrograms per 100 ml" — can't be verified from the label. "FRIZZY HAIR" — can't be verified from the label.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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