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Long & Black Shampoo
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The score is capped for a specific safety reason, set out below. This shampoo contains a blend of traditional botanical extracts alongside synthetic cleansing and conditioning agents. The primary concern is the presence of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, potent contact sensitizers, which are restricted in rinse-off cosmetics in the EU due to their high allergenic potential. Individuals with sensitive skin or a history of contact allergies should exercise caution. The product also contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common surfactant that can cause irritation in sensitive individuals and may contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane (a manufacturing by-product that IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic, Group 2B), though levels are typically regulated. The undisclosed 'Fragrance' is another potential source of allergens for sensitive users. While it includes beneficial extracts and conditioning agents, the sensitizing preservatives and undisclosed fragrance are significant drawbacks.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Shikakai Extract
- Henna Extract
- Almond Extract
- Amla Extract
- Reetha Extract
- +6 more →
Contains potent sensitizing preservatives and undisclosed fragrance
The score is capped for a specific safety reason, set out below. This shampoo includes preservatives Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, which are known to cause skin allergies and are restricted in many cosmetic products. It also has an undisclosed 'Fragrance' that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The primary cleansing agent, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, may also cause irritation for some users.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — CI 77266 and Methylchloroisothiazolinone are declared.
Personal check · free
Is this right for you or your family?
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.
- Everyone you buy for. Save a profile for each person and switch in one tap.
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.
Triggered by CI 77266.
Why the score is capped
Contains an isothiazolinone contact sensitizer — MCI/MI (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-15
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
Contains an ingredient with an IARC carcinogen classification (e.g. talc)
Rule PC-CAP-11 · Source: IARC carcinogen classification
Undisclosed fragrance (allergens not named)
Rule PC-CAP-06
What's good
Contains several traditional botanical extracts (Shikakai, Henna, Almond, Amla, Reetha) known for hair conditioning benefits.
Includes beneficial conditioning agents like Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Vitamin E Acetate, and Panthenol.
Contains Coco Glucoside, a mild, plant-derived surfactant.
Watch out for
Presence of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, strong contact sensitizers.
Undisclosed 'Fragrance' can be a source of allergens for sensitive individuals.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be irritating to sensitive skin and may contain trace 1,4-dioxane.
CI 77266 (Carbon Black) is an IARC Group 2B possible carcinogen (inhalation concern).
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a recognized contact allergen.
PEG-90M — ethoxylated ingredient - quality depends on removal of manufacturing impurities.
Disodium EDTA — disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard.
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.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC. It is still permitted in dandruff and psoriasis shampoos in the US at concentrations up to 5%, but restricted in EU cosmetics. Long-term use increases risk of skin cancer with UV exposure. Use only under dermatologist supervision.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC; EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II; FDA OTC Monograph
Coal Tar: regulation, sources and other products →Methylisothiazolinone
MI and its chlorinated partner MCI are preservatives and recognised contact sensitisers. After MI replaced parabens in many products, European dermatology clinics recorded a sharp rise in contact allergy to it. Contact allergy, once acquired, is usually long-lasting, so people already sensitised to MI are advised to avoid it. EU rules ban MI from leave-on cosmetics (since 2017) and limit it to 15 ppm in rinse-off products. Whether a particular product causes a reaction depends on the person, the concentration and the contact time, which the label alone cannot show.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2017/1224; SCCS Opinion SCCS/1521/13; British Journal of Dermatology (MI epidemic)
Methylisothiazolinone: regulation, sources and other products →Carbon Black
Carbon black is a pigment produced by incomplete combustion. IARC classifies it as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), and commercial grades can carry polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon impurities. The EU restricts the grade and purity permitted in cosmetics. It is a colourant only — it delivers nothing to the formulation beyond blackness.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monograph Vol. 93; EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex IV
Carbon Black: 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
"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 →Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl betaine is the usual "gentle" co-surfactant in shampoos, face washes and baby washes. It was named Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society in 2004; the reactions are attributed mainly to impurities (amidoamine, DMAPA) and are uncommon, but it is a common cause of surfactant allergy in people with eczema.
Peer-reviewed research Source: American Contact Dermatitis Society - Allergen of the Year 2004; contact-dermatitis literature
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: 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 Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, potent contact sensitizers restricted in EU rinse-off cosmetics due to high allergenic potential. Individuals with sensitive skin or contact allergies should avoid.
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a primary surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin. It may also carry a 1,4-dioxane impurity (IARC Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans), though levels are typically regulated to be safe (SCCS considers ≤10 ppm safe).
Contains 'Fragrance' without specific disclosure of individual fragrance allergens, which can be a source of contact allergies for sensitive individuals.
Contains CI 77266 (Carbon Black), a pigment classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) when inhaled. While the concern is primarily inhalation, its presence as a cosmetic ingredient is noted.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, while generally mild, is a recognized contact allergen, mostly through manufacturing impurities.
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 claim '7 satt poshan' is a proprietary term and cannot be verified from the provided ingredient list.
Amla and Bhringraj extracts are listed in the ingredients.
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
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2.
Shikakai Extractextracts of Shikakai
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3.
Henna ExtractHenna
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4.
Almond ExtractAlmond
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5.
Amla ExtractAmla
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6.
Reetha ExtractReetha
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7.
Sodium Laureth SulfateSodium Laureth Sulphate
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8.
Cocamide MEA
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9.
Dimethiconol
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10.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
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11.
Glycerin
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12.
Fragrance undisclosed fragrancePerfume
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13.
Sodium Chloride
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14.
Coco Glucoside
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15.
Disodium EDTA
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16.
Amodimethicone
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17.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
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18.
Carbomer
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19.
PEG-90MPEG 90M
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20.
Olive Oil trace amount
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21.
Bhringraj Extract trace amount
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22.
Lactic Acid
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23.
Vitamin E Acetate
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24.
Panthenol
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25.
Sodium Hydroxide
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26.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
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27.
Methylisothiazolinone
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28.
CI 77266 synthetic colour
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.
✓ 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 Long & Black Shampoo?
The label of Long & Black Shampoo lists 28 ingredients, in label order: Water, Shikakai Extract, Henna Extract, Almond Extract, Amla Extract, Reetha Extract, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Dimethiconol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Coco Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Amodimethicone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, PEG-90M, Olive Oil, Bhringraj Extract, Lactic Acid, Vitamin E Acetate, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77266. Flagged by the analysis: Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77266, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine and 3 more.
Is Long & Black Shampoo safe to use?
Long & Black Shampoo scores 3.0/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). The score is capped for a specific safety reason, set out below. This shampoo includes preservatives Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, which are known to cause skin allergies and are restricted in many cosmetic products. It also has an undisclosed 'Fragrance' that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The primary cleansing agent, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, may also cause irritation for some users.
Why does Long & Black Shampoo score 3.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, strong contact sensitizers. Undisclosed 'Fragrance' can be a source of allergens for sensitive individuals. Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be irritating to sensitive skin and may contain trace 1,4-dioxane.
Who should avoid Long & Black Shampoo?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin or contact allergies; Avoiding isothiazolinone preservatives; Fragrance allergy; Avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.
Does Long & Black 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. This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Long & Black Shampoo pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 2 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "7 satt poshan" — 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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