Strong Fruity Hair without the white bits? (Garnier Fructis Fortifying Anti-Dandruff Shampoo)

Member Name: ImVeryNice

Product:	Garnier Fructis Fortifying Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Date:	14/10/08 (263 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice smell, quite pleasant to use, initially worked OK, versions for both greasy and normal hair

Disadvantages: In longer term loses its effectiveness, more expensive than Wash & Go, bottle top awkward to open

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
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As someone who has had a dandruff problem to a varying degree since childhood, I have tried most of the popular brands at one time or another. However, it was only comparatively recently that I tried the Garnier Fructis Fortifying Anti-Dandruff shampoo when my local supermarket had run out of my usual choice (Vidal Sassoon's Wash & Go, otherwise known as Go & Wash). The bottle was the same colour (green) which helped though I was not sure why my hair would need fortifying since I am not into pulling trucks with my hair at the moment. The clincher was the 33% extra "free" sticker, which brought the price per 100 ml within a whisker of what I normally pay. Since my hair is also on the oily side I chose the version for greasy rather than normal hair.

I'm going wash that grime right out of my hair
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The problem with many shampoos I have tried is that they end up irritating my scalp and exacerbating my problem. Head and Shoulders is particularly bad in this respect, as are most supermarket own brands. My first experience with the Garnier product was quite pleasant though: it cleaned my hair well, removing the excess oiliness without overdoing it and leaving my hair dry. The fruity smell (indefinable other than vaguely citrus) lingered for a few hours and there was no trace of dandruff in my hair, though it is true that the condition had been well controlled previously by the Go & Wash, I mean Wash & Go. Whilst shampooing I noticed a reasonably thick lather, if not quite so much so as with the Vidal Sassoon, which was not too strong or irritating for my eyes or nose, i.e. sensitive mucous membranes. The shampoo rinsed well and did not leave any apparent residue. I do not normally bother with conditioner since my hair is quite short and has enough natural oil.

I did notice a slight problem with the bottle top, which is small and quite stiff to open. There is a white ball moulded into the lid, which acts as a kind grip, but this again was too small for my fingers and slippery when wet.

The sting in the tail
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Having now used the Garnier shampoo for about two months (I bought a few bottles) I have started to notice a few problems. The first was when I found some lumps of thicker skin on my scalp which when probed flaked off. The dandruff has started to come back. The other is that my scalp has started to burn or sting at times, and finally the oiliness is worse than before as well. I have to conclude then that this shampoo, though not as bad as Head & Shoulders, has started to irritate my scalp and is not properly controlling the excess oiliness in my hair either. Next time I go shopping I will be looking for old faithful Vidal Sassoon again.

Summary: OK as a short term substitute