What is in SHAMISO, and what is not
Three oils and raw shea butter carry the whole formula. Everything in the bottle is there to condition the scalp, soften the hair, or help the oil spread evenly.
Shea butter
Pressed from the nut of the shea tree, shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E and fatty acids. It is the ingredient that gives SHAMISO its body: it moisturises dry scalp and helps hair feel soft and elastic again instead of brittle.
Best for: dry scalp, dry ends, coarse and coily hair.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which helps it penetrate the hair shaft rather than sit on top of it. That is why it is used in so many pre-wash treatments: it supports strength and shine and helps reduce the rough, dry feel along the strand.
Best for: pre-wash treatments, dry, porous hair.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E but lighter than most nut and seed oils. It softens and adds slip without a heavy film, which is what makes the blend usable on finer textures and on finished styles.
Best for: fine to medium hair, finishing, scalp massage.
Why these three together
Single-oil products usually have one strength. Coconut oil penetrates but can feel heavy. Avocado oil is light but does not hold moisture as long. Shea butter is rich but stiff on its own. Blended, they cover each other: shea holds the moisture in, coconut helps carry the oil into the strand, and avocado keeps the finish wearable rather than greasy.
What is not in the bottle
| Not included | Why we leave it out |
|---|---|
| Silicones | They coat hair for instant shine but can build up and leave ends feeling dry underneath. |
| Sulfates | Harsh cleansers strip the scalp, which is the opposite of what a dry scalp needs. |
| Parabens | Not needed in an oil-based product. |
| Mineral oil | It sits on the surface and does not condition the way plant oils do. |
| Artificial fragrance | Sensitive scalps do better without added perfume. |
Sourcing and freshness
SHAMISO is blended in the UK in small batches. Small batches mean shorter shelf time, so the oil reaching you is closer to the day it was made. We buy raw shea butter and cold-pressed oils, and we do not dilute the blend with cheaper filler oils.
How to read a hair oil label
Ingredients are listed by weight, heaviest first. If the first three ingredients on a bottle are mineral oil, silicone and fragrance, that is what you are buying. In SHAMISO, the oils and shea are the formula, not the garnish.
Questions about the formula?
Ask us anything about ingredients, allergies or suitability and we will answer honestly, including when we are not the right product for you.
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