When people check into a hotel, they usually find coffee and tea bags for drinking, as well as cleaning supplies like shampoo available for use in the room. However, experts say it’s difficult to know the ingredients in those small bottled shampoos and how they may affect your hair, so it’s best to think twice before using them.
According to a report by The Huffington Post, American makeup artist Marz Collins mentioned that most shampoos provided by hotels contain harsh alkaline substances that can be irritating to the hair, along with sulfates, parabens (a type of preservative), and other ingredients that strip the hair of its natural oils.
Collins said, “Coupled with the frequent use of hard water during showers, your hair will eventually appear dull, lifeless, and full of static.”
Hair care expert and trend forecaster Tom Smith pointed out that a major issue is that some hotel products lack detailed information on their packaging, leaving consumers unaware of what they are made of.
However, he noted that better products usually come with a higher room rate. “In upscale hotels, these products may be more worth using,” Smith added.
Collins advised, “I would avoid using anything with improper packaging. If it looks like it has been opened, I wouldn’t trust it. I would never use shampoo and conditioner dispensers that are wall-mounted.”
So, should people bring their own shampoo when staying in hotels? For frequent travelers like Smith, even though the quality of hotel shampoos often disappoints him, he is willing to compromise and use the ones provided to save space in his luggage.
Stylist Marcia Hamilton said that since she has short hair, using hotel-provided shampoo is more convenient for her and can save space in her suitcase.
However, if your hair requires special care, it’s best to bring your own shampoo.
Beauty and skincare expert Rhysa Phommachanh mentioned that hotel-provided shampoos and conditioners are usually for customer convenience but often fall short of meeting individual hair care needs.
These products’ formulas are typically cost-effective and cater to various hair types, which may mean they are not specifically tailored to address specific hair concerns.
Smith recommended, “If your hair is color-treated, bleached, or dark, it’s best to skip shampoo days (at hotels) and opt for dry shampoo.”
But if you want to pamper your hair, you can follow stylist Akihisa Yamaguchi’s example and carry hair care products when traveling.
Yamaguchi said, “I bring different types of shampoos and conditioners because when you travel frequently, the humidity, moisture, and sunlight can be very different from what you are used to.”
Stylist Netty Jordan suggested that if you have doubts about the hotel-provided shampoo, you can do some testing before using it.
Jordan said, “I use it to wash my hands to see how they feel after they dry. Does my skin itch? Do my hands feel like they need lotion? If so, it usually means the shampoo is about to dry out or is not suitable for my hair.”
Hair care expert Rossano Ferretti said that if you still have doubts, you can check the shampoo’s ingredients and see if the label mentions moisturizing or balancing contents. Good shampoos contain high-quality natural ingredients like avocado, and their pH levels should be close to your hair, around 4.5 to 5.5.
Before your next trip, you may seek advice from a stylist on whether to bring shampoo or not. Stylist Michelle Cleveland advised her clients to try to avoid using hotel shampoos as much as possible. However, vacations are a time to relax, so if you have to use these shampoos, go ahead and do so.
Collins said, “If you truly care about your hair, you won’t forget to bring your hair care products next time, or no matter where you travel, you will make time to purchase hair care products.”
Cleveland added, “Using hotel shampoos is not the end of the world; washing your hair once with them won’t ruin your hair, so don’t worry too much.”
She urged people to “use common sense, consciously utilize available resources, and make the utmost effort to protect your hair.”