Sante Natural Balance Shampoo is made with organic linden leaf extract, wheat bran and silk protein. Sante is short for the brand name “Sante Naturkosmetik”. The only organic ingredients in the Sante Natural Balance Shampoo are the alcohol and the linden leaf extract. Calling this an organic shampoo seems a bit over-enthusiastic.
However, the Natural Balance Shampoo does merit praise for being very, very natural. Sante Naturkosmetik is doing a great job staying away from those infamous – yet commonly used – shampoo ingredients, such as SLS, silicones, synthetic preservatives and colorants.
Packaging
The shape and size of this bottle are absolutely ideal for my small hands. I didn’t consciously pay attention to it at first, but when thinking about the bottle’s design for this review, I have to say it is pretty amazing in use. Not too big and not too small. The circumcision of the shampoo bottle is a somewhat flattened round shape, which gives the perfect grip for an easy squeeze. Reminds me (or should I say does not remind me) of how I used to bungle in the shower with the cilindric, massive and round “Yes to Carrots” shampoo and conditioner bottles. Ah well… all in all, the shape of a bottle is really just that – it has nothing to do with the content, but if I have to say something about Sante’s shampoo packaging: it is an absolute pleasure to handle.
Then, more importantly, about the material. Sante emphasizes how they stand for eco-friendly ways of producing and packaging. I’m not sure if there’s anything special about this plastic – except that you could/should sort it and put it with the other plastic to recylce. So, looks like that one’s on us, really. 🙂
Texture
The Natural Balance Shampoo has a texture which I would describe as just the perfect amount of runny. Not too thin, easy to use and doesn’t drip. It’s transparent with a hint of light green.
Scent
Natural Balance Shampoo’s gentle scent is anything but dull. It’s light, airy, perhaps a bit flowery, but not in the classical heavy or sweet way. I wonder if the fragrance (at least part of it) comes from the linden flower botanical extract, or from a combination of the other essential oils in the formula, but I enjoyed it all the way to the end of the bottle. Which essential oils are used in Sante Natural Blanace Shampoo isn’t specified. The good thing about Sante Naturkosmetik is that they have pledged to not use any synthtics. This means we can be confident the fragrance is a blend of natural essential oils, and not secretly toxic chemicals.
Ingredients
Ingredients, INCI: Aqua (Water), Coco Glucoside, Alcohol*, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Bran Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract*, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Silk, Parfum (Essential Oils), Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, CI 75810 (Titanium Dioxide) * certified organically grown.
There’s one ingredient in this list I would like to highlight: Sodium PCA.
Apparently this is a substance used in cosmetics to attract water to the skin and in shampoo it binds water to the hair shaft. It’s an emollient (skin softening), a humectant (drawing in water) and sometimes also used as an emulsifier (binding the water and fat-based parts of a concoction). A possible concern with this ingredient is that it may be contaminated with the toxic substance nitrosamine. Even though it should be plant based, I wonder how heavily it has been processed, and which chemicals are used for this ‘transformation’. I haven’t found conclusive information about it yet.
Natural Balance Shampoo doesn’t seem to be the worst choice for your hair though – there are much more grim chemicals in regular shampoos. There are some (not many, but a few) more organic ones than Sante’s shampoo, since only two of the ingredients here come from organic agriculture. Even though I have this hint of a doubt about one of the ingredients (I’m a real pain in the butt!), it has to be said that the brand Sante works with two very trustworthy natural and organic cosmetic certifications: the BDIH and the Natrue.org seal.
So, this may not be the ultimate all natural and organic shampoo, such as Miessence, but it’s a very nice product still. I look forward to exploring this European brand more.
What I like about the Natural Balance Shampoo
- The scent is so nice, and – on a personal note – even kind of enigmatic for me, because it reminds me of something which I haven’t been able to identify just yet!
- Makes clean and fairly soft locks.
- Foams good and also rinses well.
What I like less about the Natural Balance Shampoo
- Only two ingredients, the linden flower extract and the alcohol, are from certified organic agriculture.
Final thoughts & other Natural, Organic Shampoo Reviews
Even without following the washing with a conditioner, it leaves my hair fairly soft. Clean, too, but for longer hair it does require a second application to the lower layers of hair. First I wash the top, and then I work my way up starting from the neck with some more shampoo. I wouldn’t go as far as calling this an organic shampoo, but it is all natural and really enjoyable to use.
In comparison:
- The best organic shampoo on the market today (by Miessence) has nine out of fifteen ingredients coming from organic agriculture.
- Another great choice (and more affordable) when it comes to organic shampoo is Herbal Choice, one that contains mostly organic ingredients as well. [read review here]
Both are nice – although I can’t say the second performs as stellar as the first one. You can’t have it all I guess… 😉 The choice is usually a trade off often having to do with a few factors. Really enjoying a particular scent and the way your hair reacts to it, are obviously important factors, but in reality the affordability/price of a product and the availability of a given brand in your area are often decisive.
Anyway – back to Sante’s Natural Balance Shampoo.
Sante Naturkosmetik is a really great company, trying hard to minimize their impact on the environment. I do feel confident that they are one of the better places to support, as a consumer. [Read more on their website.] In summary, this is an absolutely lovely and affordable all natural shampoo, made with two organic ingredients. I will happily re-purchase and try others of the same line.
Pricetag: US $5.23 for 8 ounces, on Amazon. Find it here.
What do you think of the Sante Naturkosmetik Natural Balance Shampoo? Please share your own reviews and organic haircare tips!
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