Neutrogena T/Gel 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner

RRP: from £4.39 for 125ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo Dry Hair cleans, softens, and conditions dry hair while also bringing immediate relief to the problem of itching and flaking scalps.

Dandruff can be a persistent problem for people with dry skin on their scalps. This shampoo contains salicylic acid, which breaks down and clears the flaking skin build up on the scalp, and also piroctone olamine, which is an antifungal that helps to manage the condition.

It is formulated to relieve the irritation that is often associated with dry hair and dandruff, but is gentle enough to be used daily as part of your normal cleansing routine. It forms a rich lather that helps to soothe and protect the skin on the scalp from drying out.

The added conditioners contained in this shampoo will leave your hair feeling cleaner, softer, and healthier, without drying it out."

--Packaging--

The clear pale yellow of the gel, visible through the see-through bottle and cut-out in the box, along with the baby blue of the box and writing on the plastic bottle, offers a calming influence, compounding the suggestion in the promotional material that irritation will be soothed and eradicated. Simply push the plastic disc at the top of the bottle cap down to reveal a small aperture; when you squeeze the bottle, the gel is dispensed in a very controlled way, reducing wastage.

--Application--

Lather into wet hair, then rinse. As this is a 2-in-1 product there is no need for a separate conditioner.

--Appearance--

Even though the gel is pale yellow, no visible residue is left. It lathers into a luxurious white foam.

--Scent--

Arguably clinical - those looking for richly scented hair products will definitely want to look elsewhere. However, Neutrogena's emphasis is on efficacy, not on a sensory experience.

--Texture and consistency--

The gel is smooth and lathers up abundantly into a rich foam, which rinses out easily when you need it to.

--Effects on the hair--

I noticed a reduction in dead skin flakes and hair was left feeling clean and soft for a number of days after use. However, I wouldn't say I felt I could wash my hair less frequently than usual (every 2-3 days), although the product never claims to reduce time between washes.

--Value for money--

At £4.39 for 125ml, this isn't the cheapest shampoo on the market. It's difficult to make comparisons at the 125ml level since quite simply not many brands make shampoo bottles this size. 250ml is much more common, and as Neutrogena offers this product in this size as well, it's easier to compare on this basis. It's fair to say, then, that this shampoo competes well in price with other leading brands, including TIGI, Schwarzkopf, Wella, Mark Hill, and Toni & Guy. It also is at roughly the same price as Eucerin's specialist shampoos. I was sent mine for free by Neutrogena's PR, but would purchase again given the travel-friendly size (albeit not for hand-baggage-only travel) and proven effects on the hair.