SheaMoisture African Black Soap Dandruff & Dry Scalp Elixir, 4 Ounce

While I was jumping for joy and anxiously awaiting the arrival of this spray, it has turned out to be a major let down. I have been examined thoroughly both by lab tests and by a renowned dermologist and both say my scalp has some psoriasis and dandruff. Nothing debilitating, but my scalp itches all year round. Also, when I do itch it, some flakes come down usually. My dermatologist said my scalp also has small red scales. But again, nothing incredibly major. Altogether though, my scalp itches all year. So, I was finally hoping to find my "Holy Grail." Unfortunately, this product was a major flop.I am an ingredient junkie and I do applaud the company for putting no harsh chemicals in the product. Sadly, I think this is a mostly aqueous (water) solution and nothing more. Please let me explain before you disagree.The first ingredient is water and the product has 0 scent. Seems almost impossible considering 6-7 ingredients produce pungent/aromatic scents and I mean huge odors/fragrances (tea tree oil and seem oil as examples). Yet, Tea Tree Oil is listed on the packaging label as one of the main reasons why this product would work. 5 drops of tea tree oil can take over an entire room, yet there's no hint of it in a CLEAR 4 oz bottle? I mention 'clear' because oils have colors as well. Also, CHARCOAL POWDER is listed before the essential oils. This product has 0 grainy feeling and is completely clear. Obviously, charcoal powder is deep black, so if this product is perfectly clear, it must have trace amounts. Therefore ALL ingredients listed after it must have extremely trace amounts -- Tea Tree Oil (a known great essential oil for scalp problems and the worst part is, it's very inexpensive essential oil. *Tea Tree, Plantain Enzyme and Shea ALL come after charcoal powder.And to the people who do get relief, I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because you probably get relief from the Aloe because it's soothing. Same reason why we put Aloe on sunburns. But to call this an "Intensive Scalp Elixir" is just not true. It does provide a tiny bit of comfort due to the aloe. But, it is not an elixir that treats true scalp issues.The bottom line is I truly think this company is playing its customers for fools. I think it's almost all water and aloe vera juice and that's it. Neither of which do a lick to cure or even stop itchy scalp. Here's where the bombshell is people: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice is 99% water! And the other 1% is various vitamins and minerals AND SALICYLIC ACID. Notice how there is no mention of percentage of Salicylic Acid (like there is in every other type of dandruff/scalp treatment). Usually it's 2%. But, they can and very cleverly write it in WITHOUT A PERCENTAGE! Why? Because it's by definition of Aloe, less than 1%, probably much less.So, if the 3rd ingredient listed contains such a small amount, imagine the rest of the ingredients. I truly think that's what's going on because of how cheap it is (relative to the size and all organics of it). Instead, "Shea Moisture" why don't you actually put your name brand - Shea Butter Extract - as the 2nd ingredient? Then, put a whole bunch of essential oils (tea tree, lavender, burdock root, neem oil, ect.) while remaining all organic? The essential oils only work in relatively high concentrations.Then the product would be sound. Then put Salicylic Acid at 2% as the active ingredient. Then, you'd actually do your customers a service. I feel like the money I paid for this was stolen because it's (probably) 99% water.Finally, the bottle itself is not conducive to spraying onto your scalp directly. It's just a "general sprayer," so it's extemely hard to get to the scalp even with short hair. (See Aveda Scalp Remedy. That is the only product that has worked for me. It's almost $30 with tax for the same size, but it does have a higher concentration of essential oils and Salycilic Acid -- 2%) But, Aveda's product comes with relatively harsh preservatives and the ingredient "fragrance." Again, I wanted this product to be great, but it simply falls way, way short.While I still do feel as though this product is pretty much a waste of money for those of whom have true scalp issues, Shea Moisture does leave out all bad, synthetic products. If they revamp the formula, it would truly be a blessing even if it meant the price to go up, in my humble opinion.Post Scriptum: The first FIVE ingredients do NOTHING (except the small percentage of Salicylic Acid) to stop/help/prevent scalp issues. Why would you put Willow Bark in? It acts similarly to aspirin, not anti-dandruff and the like. Oh, that's right, because it's pretty inexpensive.Kudos if you read all of this. Prospective customers with "real" scalp issues, I would recommend staying away. Thank you.

This stuff does what it says it will do! I developed an extremely dry/itchy scalp this winter so I thought I'd give it a try. I've actually been buying a lot of Shea Moisture products since discovering their brand name. I switched all of my shampoos and conditioners and hair products to ONLY She Moisture because I love their stuff so much! This Dry Scalp Relief elixir smells wonderful, and feels very soothing when you spray it on your head. Plus the spray bottle itself is very sturdy, so it gives you a very good spray, and goes directly onto your scalp. I use this in combination w/ their Dandruff relief shampoo and it does help a lot! I also made my own concoction of pure aloe vera juice, filtered water and about 10 drops of pure tea tree oil in a spray bottle. That works wonderfully too if anyone cares to try it out :) Between my homemade mixture and this Shea Moisture stuff, my scalp itch has gone down by about 95% over the course of 3-4 weeks :) I highly recommend ALL She Moisture stuff! They use all natural ingredients, which I appreciate, because I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin! Seriously, I can't put anything in my hair or on my skin w/out breaking out in hives or eczema. But She Moisture stuff has been safe for me so far.

This stuff is awesome if you've got an itchy scalp and can't contain those fingersI purchased the entire black soap line from SheaMoisture because I was so sick and tired of constantly having dandruff. Seriously embarrassing, and it was really bad.I used this a lot more when I first got the shampoo and conditioner. As my scalp has cleared up, I don't really need it as much. However, it was a LIFESAVER in the beginning.I wash my hair every 5-6 days. I do this because washing your hair less often = better hair. Unfortunately, you have to go through a transition period where you're basically a greaseball. This stuff works soooo well for relieving the itchSpray it wherever it itches. Be generous. Make sure you shake it though, as the good stuff forms a sediment down at the bottom. Once shaken, it looks really magical, haha.It does leave a weird film on your hair, so don't get super ovezealous if your hair is freshly cleanedOverall:Works super well for just starting out on dandruff treatmentI used it in conjunction with the other SheaMoisture productsIt IS expensive but really, really worth itIt smells like African black soap. I love the smell, but it is a little strangeIt's kind of expensive on Amazon. SheaMoisture's website has free shipping on $35+This product is REALLY worth it!

My eczema decided to spread to my scalp this winter and I didn't know what to do. After researching different products, I'm so glad I went with this one. Shampoo and conditioner for eczema had a lot of mixed reviews and most of them were expensive, so they didn't seem worth the risk. Within a couple of days of using this product on flared up spots, my scalp feels back to normal. I still have to spray the odd spot every once and awhile but I don't feel the need to insanely scratch my scalp, which of course just makes it worse. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the scent. I've gotten used to the scent but initially, I found it very unpleasant and was unsure if I'd be able to use it.Would definitely buy again.

Gem of a product! Marketed as a hair product but I use as a skin moisturiser. It's light, non greasy and great for oil prone skin like mine that tends to get dry too.

This product has certainly worked for me. Although a little pricey I am happy with the results and the results are as described.

Great product! Worked instantly! Non greasy also. Made my hair and scalp feel non itchy and well conditioned.

BRILLIANT HAIR STUFF

Definitely would buy this product again. It's a shame that the bottle is not larger.