Lady Alopecia’s Complete Folexin Reviews
30 Comments
When you have extensive alopecia, it’s easy to neglect your scalp. To think, “well, I don’t have much hair, so why bother nourishing it?” and to use whatever products are cheapest.
Since losing most of my hair postpartum, I’ve been guilty of this! And although I used an amazing and gentle shampoo called Revita in the past to support my hair and scalp health, which stopped shedding in its tracks, I got lazy after having my daughter.
I didn’t order another batch of Revita and began using Dove soap on my head. (I wouldn’t recommend rubbing body soap on your head, unless it’s made of natural ingredients!)
It’s important to keep your scalp and hair follicles clear of build-up, to moisturize and hydrate without stripping your skin of its natural oils and to prevent hair loss from the root – only then can you expect regrowth. For this, you need a hair care routine.
In this Routine shampoo review, I’ll see whether this brand would be a good asset to your own hair care routine – and if not, the other brands I’d recommend. Enjoy!
The Routine hair care brand offers a luxury hair thinning shampoo and a conditioner that supposedly has a superior formulation to other shampoo and conditioner brands. (And it’d want to – at $25 a bottle, this brand’s shampoo isn’t exactly cheap!)
However, it does contain great ingredients to prevent hair breakage and maybe even increase hair growth: with essential oils, fatty acids and “carrier oils” like argan oil and coconut oil, which work to nourish the scalp environment, improve hair texture and deeply nourish hair strands after environmental damage.
The Routine wellness shampoo range and Routine conditioner sound like amazing hair care products. But can they stop your hair falling out? And what are the potential side effects?
As we’ll see, due to some of the ingredients involved, Routine shampoo might not be for everyone…
On the surface, Routine shampoo and conditioner look like wonderful, all-natural hair care products from a trustworthy, cruelty free haircare brand.
Routine also supply a hair supplement, a serum and a hydrating mask, all of which contain proven ingredients for increasing hair thickness and density, preventing hair damage and even promoting hair growth.
Plus, both Routine shampoo and Routine conditioner, in addition to the above products, are free from potentially harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, synthetic stabilizers or color additives. (Psst…check out more of my top sulfate-free shampoos in this post!)
However, before you rush out and buy Routine shampoo, take a moment to examine the below ingredients properly.
Because while many of them are great for sensitive skin and can create a healthy scalp – which is essential for increasing hair growth – one or two of them might actually damage hair health and even lead to more hair thinning or hair breakage. Noooooo!
Argan Oil for Hair Loss
Coconut Oil for Hair Growth
Aloe Vera for Hair Growth
Psst…You can choose a Routine shampoo and Routine conditioner with different scents: including Rosehip, Basil & Avocado, Cucumber and Unscented. Below are the full ingredients in their most popular option: Rosehip shampoo and conditioner.
For a breakdown of the other ingredients and the quantities, check out the FAQs section on Routine’s website.
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Peptide, Polysorbate 80, Polyacrylate-33, Sodium CocoylIsethionate, Sodium Phytate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Caffeine, Biotin, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Serenoa Serrulata (Saw Palmetto) Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Argan Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopherol (mixed), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil), Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Organic Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Tromethamine
Water, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Peptide, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Phytate, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopherol (mixed), Stearalkonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Biotin, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil), Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Organic Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Serenoa Serrulata (Saw Palmetto) Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid
The below reviews are absolutely glowing – about how Routine shampoo and conditioner can stop hair fall within a couple of weeks, improve hair thickness and hair quality… and result in hair growth pretty quickly, too.
But bear in mind, Routine shampoo isn’t available on Amazon or other retailers, just through the manufacturer’s website – so the only reviews I could find might be biased.
Still, the brand have received over 7,000 reviews, with an average 4.62 out of 5 stars – so clearly, they’re doing something right with their shampoo, conditioner, mask, serum and supplements!
About 2 years ago, my hair started shedding a lot and I became concerned. Like really really concerned. I was using Sephora shampoos but my hair loss just got worse. Not only did my hair stop falling when I switched to Routine, but the conditioner made it soft and shiny. It is a bit pricey but your investment is worth it.
– Emily S
I was losing enough hair it affected my self esteem. Sorry, vain about my hair even at 74. So long story short, within 3 weeks of using shampoo, conditioner and oil, my hair is not falling out. My shower and hairbrush are clean. This is pretty amazing and I’ve told all my friends. I liked the way the shampoo and conditioner left my hair and I am used to using expensive hair products. Again, 3 weeks and obvious results in less hair loss, plus more hair volume. Thank you for a product that does what it claims!
– Jill B
So, is Routine shampoo safe for everyone to use or could it result in hair damage? Actually, Routine shampoo and conditioner may very well be as promising as they sound!
Update, September 2024: When I first wrote this post in 2023, I was concerned about Routine including proteolytic enzymes in their formula. Although they can enhance natural hair color and restore shine to leave hair smooth and vibrant, I also read that these cosmetic benefits were as a result of removing excess protein build-up from the scalp.
Since healthy hair follicles come from a healthy scalp, I was worried about these enzymes taking away too much of our essential hair proteins, causing MORE hair breakage and thinning hair even for those who hadn’t experienced hair fall before.
As this study shows, an application of these enzymes on mice led to “intense degenerative effects of the hair follicle, such as detachment of the inner root sheath [and] cystic dilation of the hair shaft…implying impairment of their function”.
However, a reader has since contacted me to say they spoke to Routine directly, and they were assured these enzymes are simply part of aloe vera (rather than as a standalone product) and have no negative effects – only the positive, cooling and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe! So thanks to Stephanie, for clearing that up!
Even so, there are a few other cases in which Routine shampoo and Routine conditioner mightn’t be the best choice for everyone.
Although I would buy Routine shampoo myself to try at least once, and am also happy to recommend Routine conditioner, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Like if you have fine, thin or oily hair, if you have an especially sensitive scalp or known allergies to any of the (many!) botanical ingredients, you might want something more simple.
Revita shampoo and conditioner are my favorite hair thinning products for good reason – they worked in stopping my hair loss. I love how they smell, the brand’s customer service and how they improved the texture and quality of my hair.
Although I didn’t notice miraculous regrowth results, after a few weeks of using Revita I did notice a small amount of baby hairs growing back into my patches. I should have stayed consistent with their use, though…which is why I’ve just ordered my next batch and I’ll stick with it for longer this time!
Although admittedly, I think it was this brand’s amazing Gro serum that brought my hair back, to my bald spots and my eyebrow (which had disappeared postpartum), I love their other hair care products, too.
Like Routine shampoo and conditioner, they’re in the high-end market – and are actually quite a lot more expensive, at $86 for the set. For those who can afford it, Vegamour is a great brand. But it also has plenty of botanical ingredients that mightn’t agree with everyone. My husband kept sneezing after I used it and begged me to stop! Oh well.
Routine shampoo and conditioner aren’t available to buy on Amazon – you can only get them direct from the manufacturer, on their website. They also offer a hydrating hair mask, and this serum to nourish the scalp and encourage hair growth…all of which have fantastic reviews.
Yes, you can use the shampoo and conditioner daily if you like. If you notice your hair getting oily (or overly dry), you could try them every other day instead.
I wouldn’t recommend it as the surfactants included could make color fade faster than other shampoos which are more natural.
As I said in the start of this post, I think one of the most important things you can do to reduce shedding and boost hair growth is to start with your scalp. To find a product that supports scalp health, rather than rubbing on a bunch of harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
With that in mind, I think any product that means a healthier hair care routine is A Good Thing. And Routine shampoo seems like a pretty good option…apart from, perhaps, the potential side effects I mentioned and the fact that it mightn’t be suitable for certain hair types.
If you don’t fall into that category though, give it a try! Add some nourishing oils to your hair care regime and please share your experiences with your new Routine below!
Love & hugs,
Get free, semi-regular alopecia-related news things and musings.
Psst… If no welcome email shows up, check your spam.
Alopecian. Yoga Teacher. Copywriter. Here to share information, offer support and show people the adventures that can lie in hair loss. I’m proud to have alopecia and I want to help others embrace their baldness, too!
Every month, thousands with hair woes visit my site. The more the merrier! But it takes AGES to write posts and reply to emails. Don’t get me wrong, I love it! But running a website isn’t free. So I’m trying something new: I’m asking for your support. If Lady Alopecia has helped you, please consider buying me a (virtual) coffee or even become a patron of the site. Thanks!
I’m Emma. I’ve had alopecia for 24 years and I’m here to inform/hopefully empower people like me! Read my full story here. But I’m not a doctor, so any advice here is based on my own research and experience. I’m also in a few affiliate programs – see my disclaimer page for more. Or contact me here. Also, why not join a thousand fellow alopecians and get my-semi regular hair about life with irregular hair?
Psst… If no welcome email shows up, check your spam.
Small print time: Ladyalopecia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Copyright © 2023, Lady Alopecia. All rights reserved. Important – By using this website, you promise not to steal stuff. Thank you kindly.
Join the gang and receive semi-regular news and joy from someone with very irregular hair.
60 responses
O dear just bought Routine & conditioner & now concerned
Have fine hair that was breaking and have now only colour my hair rather than bleach
Concerned about the strong ingredient you mentioned
I have bought the Rosehip thinning shampoo and conditioner
Would appreciate your comments
Hi Veronica, thanks for your question! Just wondering, are you referring to the Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate I mentioned? Yes, it can be linked to drying hair and irritation, at least from some reviews I’ve encountered. But The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has concluded that it’s safe when used in rinse-off products and with concentrations of up to 2% in leave-on products. I couldn’t see how much of the ingredient is actually included in Routine’s versions but I’ve recently ordered the Rosehip too, so I can let you know if the bottles display the amounts (or does it say on yours?) Anyway, I’d draw some comfort in the fact that it is likely a pretty small concentration…but bear in mind, we all react differently. Most reviews of Routine are really positive but it would be interesting to see how it works for you and your hair. Would you mind updating when you can (if you decide to use it)? Thanks so much, Emma 🙂
To whom this may concern,
I subscribed to this shampoo on oct 16 paying $64. I didn’t receive shampoo. On December I my account was charged $43.23. And still no shampoo. And now Feb 16 my account was again charged $43.23. What is going on. I don’t always look a my credit card charges, but now finding this I’m very concerned. I was looking forward to your product. Now I must find resolution to this incident. Carol Sands
Hi Carol, thank you for your comment. And I’m so sorry to hear about your experience – that must be incredibly frustrating for you. Unfortunately, I don’t work for Routine Skincare…I’m just an independent blogger who writes about hair loss (as I have it myself) and cover the most popular treatments, one of which is Routine shampoo. This is actually the first negative thing I’ve heard about the company and it’s really unfortunate that this has happened. Have you tried reaching out to them directly? On the ‘contact us’ form of their website, it says you can email: support@routinecos.com I’d recommend trying that way and hopefully someone will resolve the issue for you! Please let me know if it works out as it’s good to be able to gather more customer experiences! Thanks so much, Emma / Lady Alopecia
I have used Routine for a few years and never had any problems, sorry to hear about this
I contacted Routine directly, and these pretolytic enzymes that you mentioned as being bad are only found in the aloe vera in their products. Not a standalone ingredient. The same enzymes will then be in the Revita products as well, as they also use Aloe vera. Just wanted to clear that up, as it seemed the only negative of Routine.
Thanks so much for this info, Stephanie – and good on you for taking the initiative to contact them! I’ve updated the post to include this and thank you for bringing it to my attention. Emma / Lady Alopecia x
Based on the positive reviews, I wanted to try the Routine products for hair growth. They do offer fragrance free which is huge for me since I have asthma and I am super sensitive to fragrance. Now that I read your review about it not being good for fine thin hair, I now have hesitation. I can’t afford to lose anymore hair. Do you recommend any other products that offer hair growth that are fragrance free/no scent?
Thank you so much,
Karen
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for your question! And I totally understand your reluctance to try it for that reason…I’m unfortunately not too familiar with unscented hair loss shampoos but I think Shapiro MD do an unscented version (you can read my review about the brand here). Or Philip Kingsley’s one on Amazon gets pretty good reviews, and that would also be salon-quality. Remember though, I haven’t actually tried Routine yet so I can’t say for certain if it’s good or bad for fine hair, I just wanted to list it as a caveat. And since writing this post, I’ve received a lot of positive reports about the shampoo so you never know, it could be a good choice either!
Please see Emily’s comment below, it seems to have affected her hair negatively…could anyone else weigh in, who has used Routine for their fine or thin hair and can give a report??
Thanks! Emma x
I have very very fine oily color treated hair and I have been using Routine consistently for a few weeks and I have a lot LESS shedding, can go 2-3 days between washes and have had zero issues with it effecting my color. I Love it!!🥰
That’s great to hear, Brittany! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I’m sure it’ll help a lot of readers who are thinking of trying it…especially good to know that it can work so well for those with color-treated hair! Thanks again for letting us know.
I have very fine hair. I’ve been using Routine for two months and I’m very pleased. My hair is thicker. I definitely see and feel the difference. I used to have a lot of hair come out in the shower. I would cry. Now I have basically nothing. My confidence is coming back. I like that I can see and feel the difference. I hope this helps you out.
Thanks for sharing your experience with Routine, Katrina…great to hear that it can make a good difference to fine hair, too! And how amazing to see the shedding has stopped also, I hope it continues to bring you more and more confidence every day! 🙂
Just to let you know, Routine offer an unscented option 😊
Thanks Suzanne, I do mention that in the post but totally forgot to say that here in the comments! Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Lady Alopecia,
I have very fine thin hair and in the past month I have noticed major thinning in spots. I am very sad and wondering what could have made my hair start thinning at such a rapid rate. I wish I would have read your post before buying routine shampoo and conditioner. I honestly am not sure if this is hurting me or not.
I have done 4 washes (by the way I’m 35) and my hair is falling out more after I use the routine product. I did read in some reviews that this can happen, but I am just worried to continue.
My scalp does feel more sensitive as well. I have read two reviews about the sores and I am worried this will happen.
I do not know what to do. My hair just took a turn for the worst all of sudden.
Please help.
Emily
Hi Emily,
I’m so sorry to hear about your thinning hair…I know from experience how scary and frustrating it can be, especially when it’s coming out so suddenly, and so quickly. Although it is quite common for more hairfall after you start using a hair loss shampoo (this happened me with Nioxin), it shouldn’t go on more than 2 weeks. If you’re worried about it though, and if it’s hurting your scalp, I would discontinue use. Mild redness and irritation can be expected but if you do get sores, that’s another indicator to stop. I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help but it really does depend on the person using it and how it affects your individual scalp. From some of the comments here, it seems Routine really can help people…but it has side effects for others. If you can afford it, perhaps you could see a medical professional and see what they recommend?
In the meantime, see what you can do to support your hair and scalp holistically. I talk about gut health in that post, for instance…maybe it might have some tips you could put into action. Wishing you all the very best, and I hope you start to see some improvements!
Emma / Lady Alopecia x
Hi…do you have any reviews of the Routine product being used on Black women’s hair?….I know it says all kinds of hair, but typically “all” doesn’t usually include Black hair…thanks…S
Hi there! Unfortunately I couldn’t find specific reviews for Black hair but I did read that you’ll definitely want a natural, sulfate-free shampoo to retain more moisture…and that as sulfates strip the naturally occurring moisture in curly hair, it can leave your hair dry and more vulnerable to damage. A good natural shampoo brand for Black hair should have ingredients for specific hair types (curly, wavy, coiled) etc…and Routine doesn’t seem to get that specific, however. I read a little about Kuza hair products, so they might be a good alternative for you. Good luck!!
Psst…if anyone else has an experience to share here, that would be really helpful! Thanks so much…Emma / Lady Alopecia x
Hi I have been using your Routine products (shampoo and conditioner) for about 3 weeks. It seems to make my hair feel fuller but I noticed the other day when I was drying my hair it started burning it. I have never had that happen before this product. Please explain!
Hi Vicki, I’m afraid that I don’t actually sell or make Routine products…I’m just a regular person with alopecia who tries to objectively review the top brands out there in the hopes of giving people the full story. I can’t manage to try all the products out there, however, so I haven’t been able to try Routine yet (I’m basing this post off other reviews and research into its ingredients). And from reading about the contradictions or side effects, I don’t think I’d want to try Routine!
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had this negative experience…how abrasive are we talking, like a tingling, itching and mild burning sensation or more severe??
As I know that when I used Nioxin, I had this side effect at first (as my scalp got used to the formula). It wasn’t actually painful though, just a little uncomfortable…and that’s what ended up working for me! But if the reaction you’re having is causing you pain, I’d advise either reducing the number of times you use Routine per week (see if that helps!) and if not, using a more gentle shampoo instead. My favorite is Revita and I review it in full in this post. Thanks so much and take care!
Hi, just stumbled across this post after buying a sample bottle of Routine. Not sure why I didn’t google reviews before!
I’m wondering if you have a recommendation for a shampoo and conditioner for thinning color treated hair? I’m not quite ready to go embrace the grays. I was excited to try Routine as my mom has had excellent results with it, but she’s completely gray.
Hello! I’m so sorry for the late reply, I’ve just had my second daughter so I’m only returning to the website now after a few months off. Thanks for your question…and your patience! Well, my favorite shampoo for thinning hair is Revita high-performance shampoo, which I talk about in this post. According to the brand who make it (DS Labs), it’s safe for color-treated hair, too. I also had a lot of success with Nioxin before – and they have 2 different systems for colored hair. System 3 is for color-treated hair that’s lightly thinning, while System 4 is for color-treated hair that has more progressed thinning. Finally, I’ve heard great things about Pura D’Or’s purple shampoo! You can read my full review about Pura D’Or here too…like Revita, it’s a really great and gentle brand for treating hair loss.
Hope that helps, and good luck with whatever brand you choose!
Emma / Lady Alopecia xo
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and congrats on the new addition!
Much appreciated, thank you for your congratulations! Take care x
I have color treated hair and I’ve used Routine for about 9 months and I don’t think it makes a big difference between it and regular shampoos. I usually don’t buy their conditioner though because I did once and I honestly think my regular conditioner either Pantene or even better imo Loreal Elvive hyaluron plump conditioner works better for me. Hope this helps!
Thanks Bobbi, that’s really helpful! Great to have an account of what’s been effective for color-treated hair.
I appreciate what you are doing! I have read several posts & seen several videos on youtube about Routine. I have been using a pricey product, Actiiv, for over 6 months with no true results. I have been diagnosed with Lichen Planopilaris. It’s where the hair follicles die and cannot be revived. However, I have seen a tiny bit of growth since using Actiiv, but would like to find a product that has more natural ingredients. I am going to look into the product Revita to see if it gives me better results. Haven’t checked out the price yet, but could it be any more than $190 for a shampoo/conditioner set (Actiiv).
Hi Carolyn, thanks so much for sharing about your experience with Actiiv and for your kind words, too. I hope you find Revita to be more helpful…it’s definitely better value but bear in mind, it’s used mainly to improve the condition of existing hair and nourish the scalp environment to encourage hair growth. If you have been already diagnosed with Lichen Planopilaris, the chances are less that a natural shampoo like Revita would work but you could give it a try anyway – at the very least, you’ll definitely be saving money compared to Actiiv! It might be worth doing a regular scalp massage with coconut oil and a few drops of peppermint and rosemary essential oils, too. Good luck! Emma/Lady Alopecia x
I’m surprised that you feel the Routine brand is extremely pricey. I just checked out Revita and it’s even more expensive? I think any quality shampoo will be more than a drugstore shampoo but you kinda get what you pay for in all things. I’ve been using Routine for about a year now and can see a difference in shedding. I have hypothyroidism and it’s been a struggle to slow down the shedding. Routine has helped and I could see a difference when I tried to stop for a while. I don’t love the fragrances (I’ve tried them all) but this shampoo does work for me. I do have an oily scalp but I don’t see a major difference using Routine. Just my thoughts, best of luck in your hair journey!
Hi Lisa, that’s a good spot and thanks for bringing it to my attention. I didn’t mean to insinuate that one was much cheaper than the other, just that Routine isn’t exactly cheap compared to many other shampoos out there. (Granted, the quality stuff should cost more though, you’re right about that!)
Although Revita has gone up in price a bit recently since I wrote this post (unfortunately!), in my mind it’s still worth it as it was so effective for me, and didn’t come with any side effects. With Routine…well, I couldn’t say for sure but I’ve just read that the ingredients could be more damaging, especially for those with sensitive scalps. I”m always so happy to hear positive stories of hair regrowth though, whatever treatment it is that helped, so it’s amazing to hear how Routine has helped you.
Hopefully my readers might get inspired to try it after your experience…so thanks for taking the time to write in!
Love Emma / Lady Alopecia x
I started using Routine shampoo, conditioner and vitamins about two years ago after my brother expressed concern over my thinning hair. It took a few months to start really noticing a difference but now, two years later, my hair is at least twice as thick as it was and I’m hoping to regain the fullness I had in my youth. Hair loss is frustrating and it takes a long time to really see the benefits but my delicate hair got stronger, thicker, shinier and believe it or not, LESS GRAY (all the new hair came in brown) than before. I highly recommend Routine products!!!
Hi Stephanie,
That’s really wonderful, thank you so much for sharing! It’s always hard to know what will/won’t work and there are so many products out there, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. I haven’t personally been able to try Routine yet so I’m really grateful to my readers when they share their own experiences, especially when it’s such a glowing summary (brown hair instead of grey, wow!). Thank you for contributing to the hair loss community and wishing you all the very best on your regrowth journey!
Love Emma / Lady Alopecia x
Hi there,
After reading your article about these products, mainly the Routine shampoo and conditioner, I sort of freaked out because I recently purchased it, I have lupus and what used to be a very nice head of hair is now 1/3 of what it used to be and very dull/brittle/sad looking.. anyway, I was reading what you said about proteolytic enzymes, which destroy proteins and hair follicles, however I think it’s the papaya/pineapple enzymes that will do that (papain, bromelain). The proteolytic enzyme in Routine products comes from the Aloe Vera plant, I have tried the raw gel of the Aloe plant leaf in my scalp and hair before with amazing results, and so far (a week and a half into using Routine) my hair feels and looks better than ever.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents for those people who might wonder between the different enzymes, maybe I’m wrong (I hope not! lol, or I’m going bald).
Hi there, thanks so much for your comment…and sincere apologies for the delay in getting back to you, I was taking some time off after my daughter was born in November! Thank you for pointing out this about the proteolytic enzymes…another reader has also got in touch to say they contacted Routine too and they confirmed that it’s just because they’re in the aloe vera plant, so not harmful. I hadn’t realised that so thank you guys for letting me know! I’ve since updated the post. It’s amazing to hear you were having good results from aloe, I used to use the fresh stuff daily too and found it to be so so helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience and I really hope you continue seeing positive results from using Routine.
Take good care, Emma / Lady Alopecia x
I have been using Routine shampoo and conditioner for about 3 months for hair loss. I have lost all my hair 3 years ago due to chemo. It has helped the hair loss but still have not seen regrowth where I am showing scalp. My color treated hair lightens so fast and have itchy scalp.
Any recommendations for hair regrowth for color treated hair. Thank you. Mary
Hi Mary, thanks for sharing your experience and I’m so sorry to hear about your hair loss after chemo. I know it’s been some time since you sent this comment (forgive me, I had a break after my second baby!)…so I really hope you have seen even more positive results with Routine since, with regrowth as well as an improvement in hair loss! For color-treated hair, I’d recommend Pura D’Or Purple Harmony or Zenegan shampoo, both of which I talk about in this post. I hope that helps!
Emma / Lady Alopecia x
If I color can I use the shampoo and conditioner ?
Hi Vanessa, thanks for your question. And apologies for the very slow reply, I’ve just had a baby so I’m only getting around to replying now to messages! ALthough the manufacturers say it’s safe for color-treated hair, and another review I read gushed about how it was the only color-appropriate shampoo that didn’t make their scalp itchy, be aware that Routine contains Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, which is a strong cleansing agent that could potentially cause your color to fade more quickly. Maybe you could try it for a week or two and if it doesn’t seem to affect the tone of your hair color, keep it up?! Hope that helps!
I started having hair loss a few months ago. Went to the derm who says it may be low ferritin OR whatever that is called when you lose hair after a virus or trauma or childbirth. My ferritin was an 8 so I started on iron pills a week ago. All that to say, it’s still falling out. I tried Routine and after three days, my hair feels thicker but it also feels dried out, and so far no miraculous lessening of hair loss.
What would you recommend? Do you think the Revita shampoo and conditioner with the Vagamour serum would be good? The Routine is getting returned. I swear it’s caused breakage already.
Hi Tricia, thanks for your question! And it’s hard to pin down the cause of hair loss, often it’s a combination of factors. But yes, low ferritin is a common trigger (especially for women) so it’s great that you’re taking some iron to help with this. (Quick tip in case your derm didn’t suggest it…take Vitamin C at the same time, either in a supplement form or just eat an orange, it helps the body to absorb iron more easily!)
As you had only started taking the pills a week before posting your comment, I wouldn’t worry…the hair fall cycle could go on for a couple of months so it may take time to see significant changes (whether that’s a reduction in hair loss or an improvement in growth)…that’s why most products will recommend at least 3 months’ of daily use before noticing results. Of course, good ones can show improvements in quality/thickness after a couple of washes, so it’s great that you started to see thicker hair after using Routine! I wouldn’t worry about it feeling drier at the start, that could just be your scalp getting used to the new formula, and this should improve after 2 weeks or so.
Personally, my favorite is Revita shampoo and conditioner and that’s what I would recommend (yep, alongside Vegamour serum, if you can afford it!)…but since you’ve paid for and have started using Routine already, maybe finish it off and see if it improves? I known it’s been a few weeks since you posted this, though…so if the dryness or breakage is still continuing and you’ve been using the products consistently for 2 or more weeks then maybe switching to Revita could be good for you.
Hope that helps, and feel free to post again with your progress! Emma / Lady ALopecia x
I have been using Routine for a year and have had great results. Significantly decreased hair fall, regrowth and less breakage. Highly recommend.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Emily! And I’m so glad to hear that Routine products have been working for you. Stick with it! 🙂
Emily, is your hair colored? If so, I’d like to know if your color faded after using Routine.
Thank you.
Sorry Deb, nope my hair isn’t colored so I’m afraid I can’t give you an answer on this! Anyone else with color-treated hair here that has used Routine Shampoo? Can you please share your thoughts with Deb??
Routine shampoo and conditioner seemed to give me body week 1. Week 2 it broke my scalp out with sores, flakes and itching. I asked them why their ingredients are not listed on the bottles and they told me it is because they are always changing the ingredients so they are listed on line!!!! So now I have no way to know what caused the scalp issue. In the long run it took 3 weeks to get rid of the breakout and caused even more hair loss
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and I’m really sorry to hear about those awful side effects you experienced…it just backs up my concerns about why they don’t include at list of ingredients on their bottles! And they aren’t listed online either, from what I could find, all sounds a bit dodgy to me. I’m so sorry this happened to you and I hope your hair has managed to recover since. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me and my readers, though – hopefully it will deter anyone from buying Routine products!
Take care,
Emma x
The Routine shampoo and conditioner ingredients are listed on their website. The full list of ingredients is under the FAQ.
That’s really helpful, thanks Susan!
It’s so clear you’re getting paid for this. Pathetic!
Hi Julia,
While I appreciate that people are entitled to their opinion, I don’t appreciate the words you’re using to express it. Calling someone ‘pathetic’, when you clearly haven’t read about my story or the fact that I’m an alopecian simply trying to help other people find things that could help them cope with hair loss, isn’t really fair. And no, I am not getting paid for this post. I state right at the top and in my disclaimer page that I may earn a small affiliate commission on some products I recommend on Lady Alopecia but I’m not paid to write posts…I just want to provide people with the kind of information I never had. I’m very open and transparent about what I do here, that there are no miracle cures but that some things can help to reduce shedding, and I want to give people all the information possible.
If you actually took time to read this post rather than jumping to accusations straight away, you might see that I’m not pushing Routine shampoo on anyone – in fact, I mention its risks and contraindications, noting that it probably wouldn’t suit everyone. So if I was getting paid by Routine to write this, I’d be doing a pretty bad job!
Anyway, my advice would be to do your background reading on the author of posts before launching an attack against someone who’s just genuinely trying to help. But that’s just my opinion.
Wishing you all the best!
Emma
Excellent response Emma. Ms. Colbert was obviously in a “mood”. I read you all the time and appreciate your unbiased and factual reviews. Thank you and keep up the great work. 🙂
That’s so lovely to hear Suzy, thank you so much for your kind words…they really mean a lot. I know I can’t please everyone or include all the information but I do my best! (PS and sorry for the long delay in getting back to you, I had my second daughter back in November so I’m only – slowly – returning to the website now!) Wishing you all the very best. xo
There are always ones who speak before having all the info.
Thank you for what you are trying to do.
My kind Regards,
Debbie
That’s really kind of you to say, thank you Debbie! I do my best…I’m just one person trying my best to research what I can (and with a toddler and baby in tow!) So I really appreciate the lovely feedback, and for you taking the time to comment. Take good care! Love Emma/Lady Alopecia x
Certainly wasn’t obvious to me. Were you just trying to be mean?
Thank you for your support, Rebecca. Much appreciated…I guess I can’t win ’em all! Hope you found the post helpful. x
Confused as to why you would jump to this conclusion when he recommends other products outside of Routine.
Thanks Susan, my thoughts exactly. Hope you found the post helpful! 🙂
I think what you wrote was extremely rude and thoughtless. If you do not like the products, just move on.
Take care, M.S. Votroubek
P.S. And no, I have never known the author of this shampoo article, this is the first time I have read what she think.