Nioxin System 3 Cleanser Shampoo is a scalp-cleansing shampoo made for color-treated, dry, or damage-prone hair with light thinning — the entry step of Nioxin's System 3 regimen, and a different formula from System 2, which is built for natural, unprocessed hair. Wild mint and peppermint oils combine with salicylic acid to loosen scalp buildup and excess sebum without being harsh on chemically processed strands, and the formula adds niacinamide, biotin, and panthenol as conditioning, scalp-supporting actives alongside plant extracts like grapefruit, lemon, and bilberry leaf.
Like System 2, the cleansing base is built on sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate, and the preservative system uses four parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben), so this is not a sulfate-free or paraben-free product.
- Apply to wet hair and scalp
- Massage gently
- Rinse thoroughly
- Use daily, paired with the System 3 conditioner
Nioxin's studied fullness results are based on using the shampoo together with the System 3 conditioner (and scalp treatment), so using the shampoo alone will understate what the full system delivers.