Is OGX Good For Your Hair? Does OGX Shampoo Lead to Hair Loss?

Social media is a funny thing. It can completely make or break products and trends, especially if something ends up going viral for not being as great as some say. And for OGX, a hair care brand that has been around since its launch in 2006, this is exactly what happened.

The brand’s range of shampoos and conditioners has been used by millions over the past almost two decades, but then in July 2021, its parent company Johnson & Johnson was hit with a class action lawsuit, accused of including ingredients in its products that caused hair loss in some of its users. 

So, what’s the real deal? Is OGX good for your hair? In this article, I’ll go over the good and bad of OGX’s line of hair care products.

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Is OGX Good For Your Hair?

OGX Shampoos and Conditioners have been around for ages, and many have used the brand enthusiastically. But many of the formulas contain(ed) DMDM hydantoin, a potential carcinogen. So while OGX may be good for your hair, it may well be very bad for your body!

The Class Action Lawsuit

Considering the rather large elephant in the room concerning the OGX brand, let’s move it out of the way before we go on any further. 

For OGX’s parent company Johnson & Johnson, this isn’t its first class action lawsuit rodeo, so it’s difficult to imagine that it didn’t know what it was doing all along.

In fact, after the lawsuit was filed, the company issued a statement saying, “We carefully select our ingredients and include a list on the product’s label. At OGX, we are constantly evolving our formulas to improve hair care results and haven’t launched any new products with DMDM hydantoin in the last several years.”

The “haven’t launched any new products” part is key.

OGX shampoo and conditioner formulations have been around for almost two decades now, so they can hardly be considered recently launched. This also means that any of the brand’s older formulations that may still be in circulation do likely contain DMDM hydantoin.

For this class action lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson is being sued for violation of consumer fraud acts, and is asking for a recall of all OGX products, among other issues mentioned.

The particular products named in the class action lawsuit include OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner, OGX Biotin+ Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner, OGX Ever Straightening and Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner, and OGX Quenching & Coconut Curls Shampoo and Conditioner.

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OGX Shampoo and Conditioner and DMDM Hydantoin

In September of last year, as a reaction to the lawsuit being filed, Johnson & Johnson removed the preservative DMDM hydantoin from its list of ingredients. 

The controversial chemical releases formaldehyde when it comes into contact with water, and it is a known carcinogen, which means that it has the potential to cause cancer. I looked at shampoos that don’t contain DMDM hydantoin here.

In September of last year, as a reaction to the lawsuit being filed, Johnson & Johnson removed the preservative DMDM hydantoin from its list of ingredients. 

However, in spite of this, a reasonable question to ask would be: is OGX actually good for your hair? Or would using OGX products be detrimental to keeping your hair, and your health, at its best? 

So, What’s The Deal on OGX?

Although OGX products have been on the market since 2006, they became quite well-known in the pandemic era as a result of viral videos on social media, making it one of the best drugstore hair care brands available. 

And this is probably partly due to the brand’s competitive pricing and extensive variety of both body and hair care formulations, some known to strengthen damaged hair and promote hair growth.

Because of the many different hair care products in the OGX shampoos and conditioner ranges, whether or not they are actually good for your hair depends on the ingredients in each formulation, even if they are marketed to be safe for everyone to use.

Many of the brand’s variety of hair products are free from other common controversial harsh chemical additives, like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, salts, and silicones.

However, this isn’t true for all of its hair care products. 

Here’s a breakdown of some of the issues with OGX Shampoos:

Artificial Fragrances

All of OGX’s hair care and styling products contain artificial fragrances, which can contain any number of more than 3,000 different chemicals, in varying combinations, that are used to create the scent. And because chemical fragrances don’t need to be labeled, this can be detrimental to your hair eventually, especially if you already suffer from sensitive skin. 

You may find that your hair falls out after using OGX shampoo due to a potential reaction to one of the fragrances or ingredients. This can happen frequently and is almost impossible to definitely prove because there are so many factors that go into hair loss and hair issues.

What this all means is that if you know you have an allergy or adverse reaction to a particular chemical, then it may not be a good idea to use any OGX hair care product without having a look at the label to see what the actual ingredients really are.

Non-Vegan, Non-Cruelty-Free

Also, if you are a vegan, you should be aware that some products in the OGX range include albumen and whey in the formulations, so it can’t be considered a vegan brand. 

And if you’re concerned about animal cruelty, then you should be aware that even though OGX claims to not test its products on furry creatures, it does sell its product in China, which still conducts animal testing on all personal care products that are sold in the country. So, the OGX range can’t really be considered cruelty free.

If none of the above information bothers you though, then you can give the OGX brand a try, because there are many formulations available that are made to work with several hair types and different scalp issues.

The OGX range includes: 

1. OGX Argan Oil of Morocco

Argan oil is well known for helping to strengthen and restore the luster of dry and damaged hair, and this range will leave your locks feeling soft and silky smooth. An Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Strength range is also available to provide even more superior hydration.

2. OGX Biotin & Collagen

Infused with vitamin B7, biotin, and collagen, this OGX range works to volumize thin and fine hair to help it appear thicker and more luxurious. There is also an Extra Strength Biotin & Collagen range for those who need to pump up the volume even more.

3. OGX Brazilian Keratin

Containing ingredients like keratin protein, coconut oil, avocado oil, and cocoa butter, this range of OGX hair care will leave frizzy hair feeling smooth while adding a glossy shine.

4. OGX Coconut Caffeine

If you suffer from hair fallout and breakage, this range will reinforce and strengthen your strands to keep your hair where it’s supposed to be. The coffee works to stimulate your hair follicles, while coconut oil adds buster to your hair — and it smells deliciously chocolatey.

5. OGX Coconut Curls

Reduce frizz and flyaways while adding bounce to your curls with this range, which contains a formula of coconut oil, sweet honey, and citrus oil that will define your waves and spirals to leave your hair looking bouncy and full. The OGX coconut ranges also include Coconut Fine Curls, Coconut Milk, Coconut Miracle Oil, and Locking & Coconut Curls formulas, which all work on different textures of curly hair. 

6. OGX Keratin Oil

If you have damaged hair, then this is the OGX range for you. Keratin Oil products will fortify and strengthen your tresses to prevent further damage, while added argan oil will work to strengthen your split ends. There is also an Extra Strength Keratin Oil range that is good for dry hair.

7. OGX Liquid Pearl

If you fight with hair that’s frizzy, unmanageable, and unruly, then this is the OGX range that will suit you best. Containing ingredients like sea kelp and pearl extract from mollusks (so, it’s not vegan), this range will leave your hair feeling smooth, and looking illuminated. 

8. OGX Teatree Mint

This is a clarifying range that works on color-treated hair to help keep its luster, brightness and vibrancy. It also works well for those with oily hair, and even comes in a Teatree Mint Extra Strength formula.

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Final Thoughts

So, is OGX good for your hair? Well, as explained above, that’s a hard question to answer. Many people have loved OGX’s products for decades, and have had no issues with their use. But now there’s a big lawsuit, and concerns about hair and scalp health.

OGX no longer contains DMDM Hydantoin, which is good, and should alleviate some of the concerns going forward. If you have been having success with OGX Shampoos, you are probably fine to keep using them.

And if you’re just getting acquainted with the brand, read the ingredients before you buy an OGX product. It’s up to you whether or not you want to take any potential risk, and join the list of happy customers who find this hair care range works well to keep their locks looking vibrant and healthy.

META DESCRIPTION: You have probably seen this particular brand of hair care go viral on social media recently, but is OGX good for your hair? Click here to find out what we discovered about this trendy budget brand.