PET SHAMPOO INGREDIENT LISTS PART II

Ingredient Lists

Part II List Informativeness Score

            To make it easier to consider the quality of information contained in pet product ingredient lists, we have devised a grading protocol that gives each list a measure of how it compares to the requirements of a human cosmetic ingredient list.  We could call this a measure of the informativeness of a given list.  For short, we can call it the Label/List Score.

Here’s how we determine “Informativeness Score” for an ingredient list.

Start with 100 Points and subtract –

-20 points if list seems incomplete (doesn't list water, preservatives, surfactants).

-15 points for hiding ingredients under a general description, such as “shampoo base.”

-10 Points if ingredients appear to not be in order of volume. (It takes some practice to identify this practice).


-10 Points for EACH ingredient that is described, not identified (other than fragrance). For ex:  "preservative", "pH adjuster".


-5 Points for EACH ingredient that is identified by trade name instead of chemical name. For ex: "Cocamide D" instead of "Cocamide DEA", or "EGMS" instead of "Ethylene Glycol Monostearate (EGMS)."

for each ingredient using common or commercial name not using INCI names.

-5 points for misplaced commas or spelling errors. (because it can be misleading)

-5 Points for misleading information, such as "Essential Apple Oil Fragrance Oil" (There is no such thing as an Essential Fragrance Oil, fragrances are either synthetic fragrance oils or natural essential oils. Other than citrus fruits, fruits cannot be distilled to obtain essential oils. )


Subtract Deductions from 100. Total remaining points is the LABEL/LIST SCORE.

APPLICATIONS:

#1: Pet Silk Bright White (from label on bottle):

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Tea Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Mint Extract, Fennel Extract, Mistletoe Extract, Yarrow Extract, Silk Proteins, Keratin, Amino Acids, Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Chamomile Extract, Rosemary, Comfrey, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and Fragrance

-20 Points for incomplete list. No preservative listed, no colorant listed (it is a dark blue shampoo product.

-5 for trade name, “Betaine”.  Is this Cocamidopropyl Betaine? There are several betaines used in cosmetics.

-5 X 4 for common names of Vitamins.

-5 for misplaced punctuation, Keratin, Amino Acids should probably be Keratin Amino Acids., or proper INCI name: Hyrolyzed Keratin.  

Total Deductions: 50.  Ingredient List Score = 50 

#2:  EZ Groom Crystal White (from MSDS provided by Company}:

Ingredients: DI water, Sodium Cocamphopropionate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Enzywhite-SRW Complex, Lauramide DEA, Cocoamidopropylamine Oxide, Cocoamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Propylene Glycol,

Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 80, Cetyl Acetate, Acetylated Lanolin, FD&C Colors,Fragrance.

No Deductions. Ingredient List Score = 100

This ingredient list is complete, uses INCI names for all named ingredients.  It has one unidentified ingredient, the proprietary Enzywhite-SRW Complex.  I view this as a truly qualifying “trade secret” ingredient, since it is unique to this manufacturer and it is the ingredient that sets this formula apart from the competition.  In such a case, we would not deduct points.  

#3:Furminator Deshedding Solution (from PetEdge website):

 Ingredients; Kava Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Vitamin A, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Fatty Acids, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Aloe Vera and Chamomile Extract.

Deductions:

-20 for incomplete list.  Where is water, preservative? There needs to be an emulsifier, and/or a conditioner base. 

-15 for hiding ingredients (water).

-25. 5 ingredients use common names:  Vitamin A, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Fatty acids, Vitamin E and Vitamin B5.

Total Deductions: 60 Points, Ingredient List Score = 40. 

#4  Nootie Sweet Pea & Vanilla Shampoo (from label):

Contains: Purified water, decyl glucoside, coco betaine, glycerin, polyquat 7 (conditioner), jojoba oil, infused with essence of sweet pea & vanilla, germall plus.

-15 for hiding ingredients. Preservatives listed as trade name “germall plus”; INCI name - Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

3 ingredients are listed by trade names: coco betaine = cocomidopropyl betaine, polyquat 7 = polyquaternium 7, germall plus. -15

-5 for misleading information.  There is no natural ‘sweet pea & vanilla’ essence. This is a synthetic fragrance. 

Total deductions: 35 Ingredient List Score = 65.

#5 Davis Oatmeal Shampoo from web–

Ingredients: Collodial Oat Flour, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauramide D, Aloe Vera Whole Leaf, Purified Water, pH Adjuster, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG Distearate, Thickening Agent, EGMS Fatty Acid Esters, Cosmetic Grade Preservatives, Propylene Glycol, Essential Apple Oil Fragrance

-10 List seems out of order

-30 Ingredient description avoiding identification “pH Adjuster” “Thickening Agent”, Cosmetic Grade Preservatives” .

-10 Use of Trade Names rather than ingredient names: Lauramide D, EGMS.

-5 Misleading/misinformation – Essential Apple Fragrance Oil. 

-5 for misspelling and sloppiness.Colloidal Oatmeal.

Deductions: 60. Ingredient List Score = 40.

Note: By human product labeling regulations, this list would also not be allowed to say “Whole Leaf” aloe vera, “purified” water, or “cosmetic grade” preservatives. 

#6 Tropiclean Oxy-Med Shampoo from product label: Contains: Oatmeal, Alpha Hydroxys, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, and Vitamin B-5 in a mild coconut shampoo base.

This is a list that is declaring only the additives, and not accurately identifying those.

-20 incomplete list

-15 hiding ingredients

-10 not in order of volume

-10 ingredient description, Alpha Hydroxys

-10 common names, Oatmeal, and Vit.B-5

Deductions: 65. Ingredient List Score = 35

#7 Top Paw Oatmeal Baking Soda Shampoo.  (Petsmart from website):

ingredients: Purified water, anionic, non ionic, and amphoteric surfactants, acrylates cocopolymar, glycol distearate, sodium bicarbonate, glycerin, collodial oatmeal, hydrolized silk protein, aloe vera, fragrance, dmdm-hydantoin, tetrasodium edta.

-30 for generic description of anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants. This could be at least 3, and possibly 5 or 6 ingredients. 

-15 for hiding ingredients above. 

-5 for misspellings and sloppiness. Acrylates cocopolymar is Acrylates copolymer; Collodial oatmeal is Colloidal Oatmeal, and hydrolized silk protein should be Hydrolyzed Silk Protein. 

Deductions: 50. Ingredient List Score = 50.

PS. Acrylates copolymer is a film former/holding agent generally found in hair spray and styling products.  It is never found in a shampoo. It is hard to believe it is in there. 

#8 ShowSeason Texture Shampoo (from Technical Sheet supplied by mfr.):

Ingredients: Water, Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate,

Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Oleamido MEA Sulfosuccinate,

Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance.

No Deductions. Ingredient List Score = 100.

#9 Theraneem Organix Pet Shampoo. (From website).

Ingredients: Aqueous Extracts of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaf*, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile), Arnica Cordifolia (Arnica) Flowers, Pinus nigra (Pine) bark, Ocimum Basillicum (Basil) and Prunus serotina (Cherry) bark, Olefin Sulfonate, Polysorbate 20, Alkyl Polyglucoside, Lauramide DEA, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Oil*, Glycerine, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride (Sea salt), Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (from glycine), Fragrance (from Natural Ingredients), Citric Acid.* Certified Organic

Kudos to this “natural” pet shampoo for full disclosure of their ingredients and using the INCI names for all, even for the botanicals.  Deduct 5 points for Misleading information, however, as the “Aqueous Extracts” of herbal ingredients suggest that there are more herbal ingredients than surfactants or water and that is not exactly true.

Ingredient List Score = 95. 

#10 Earthbath Shampoo (from website):

Ingredients: Purified water, renewable coconut-based cleansers, gentle-conditioning agent, aloe vera, hydrolized wheat protein, glycerine, mango essence, olive oil squalene (natural preservative).

-30 for at least 3 ingredients that are described rather than identified, coconut-based cleansers, conditioning agent.

-5 for misleading information, “renewable coconut-based cleansers” can be the same SLS or SLES as found in other pet shampoos, “gentle conditioning agent” can be Cocamidopropyl Betaine found in many if not most commercial shampoos

-5 for misspelling etc. glycerine – Glycerin; hydrosized wheat protein – hydrolyzed. 

Total deductions: -40. Ingredient List Score = 60

#11 Earthdog Shampoo (from website)

Ingredients: Liquid Castille Soap (Saponified Oils of Coconut & Olive, Aloe Vera Gel, Rosemary Oil Extract), Distilled Water, Glycerin, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Extract of: Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) Flower, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) Flowers, Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettles) Leaf, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) Buds, Plantago major (Plantain) Leaf, Stellaria media (Chickweed); Thuja orientalis (Cedarwood) Oil, Pogostemon cablini (Patchouli) Oil, Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Pimenta racemosa (Bay) Oil, Eugenia caryophyllata (Clovebud) Oil, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, & Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Xanthan Gum."

List Score:

-20 Seems incomplete.  No emulsifiers to mix oil in water, no preservatives.

-10 not in order of volume.  Water should be first.

-5 for missing comma – before Tocopherol. 

Total Deductions 35: Ingredient List Score = 65

#12 Isle of Dogs Vanilla Jasmine Coating Shampoo (from Petco website):

Ingredients: Water (aqua), sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, coco glucoside, glyceryl oleate, peg-3 distearate, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, glycerin, dl-panthenol, propylene glycol, DMDM hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, polysorbate 20, sodium chloride, citric acid, caramel, fragrance.

No Deductions: List Score = 100

#13Best Shot UltraMAX Shampoo (from Pet Edge Website)

Ingredients: Aqua, Proprietary Blend of Coat and Skin Cleansers including Concentrated Coconut, Surfactants and Advanced Conditioning Agents, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Vera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Glycerol Stearate, Natural Essence, Citric Acid for PH balancing, and Preservative.

-15 for hiding ingredients under a general description (very well-crafted)

-40 for described, not identified Coconut Surfactants and Conditioning Agents, Natural Essence (fragrance), Preservative.

-5 for misplaced comma Coconut, Surfactants

Total Deductions: 60 Ingredient List Score = 40

Okay, it's your turn. Try out the scoring system on a label or list of your product.  Of course this requires that you HAVE an ingredient list to start with.  This is not an easy exercise, as it requires some familiarity with ingredient names and what should show up on a list.  If you have lists that you would like me to score, post them in the comments below and I will try to get to it as time allows.  For me, time can be a problem, but this is the kind of thing I love to do.