Routine Shampoo Review 2024: Does It Really Work? - Lady Alopecia (2024)

  1. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  2. 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

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  3. 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

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  4. 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

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    1. 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

      Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply

  6. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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

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      1. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and congrats on the new addition!

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        1. Much appreciated, thank you for your congratulations! Take care x

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  7. 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).

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    1. 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

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  8. 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!

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    1. 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

      Reply

  9. 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!!!

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  10. 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).

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  11. 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

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  12. If I color can I use the shampoo and conditioner ?

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    1. 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!

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  13. 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.

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    1. 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

      Reply

  14. I have been using Routine for a year and have had great results. Significantly decreased hair fall, regrowth and less breakage. Highly recommend.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experience, Emily! And I’m so glad to hear that Routine products have been working for you. Stick with it! 🙂

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      1. Emily, is your hair colored? If so, I’d like to know if your color faded after using Routine.
        Thank you.

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        1. 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??

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  15. 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

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    1. 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

      Reply

      1. The Routine shampoo and conditioner ingredients are listed on their website. The full list of ingredients is under the FAQ.

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        1. That’s really helpful, thanks Susan!

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  16. It’s so clear you’re getting paid for this. Pathetic!

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    1. 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

      Reply

      1. 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. 🙂

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        1. 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

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    2. Certainly wasn’t obvious to me. Were you just trying to be mean?

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      1. Thank you for your support, Rebecca. Much appreciated…I guess I can’t win ’em all! Hope you found the post helpful. x

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    3. Confused as to why you would jump to this conclusion when he recommends other products outside of Routine.

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      1. Thanks Susan, my thoughts exactly. Hope you found the post helpful! 🙂

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    4. 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.

      Reply

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Routine Shampoo Review 2024: Does It Really Work? - Lady Alopecia (2024)

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