Bubble lattice of shampoo foam with glitter particles, darkfield and polarised light micrograph. Shampoo is a hair care product that is used to clean and maintain the health of the hair and scalp. It is typically a viscous liquid that is applied to wet hair and massaged into the scalp, working up a lather that helps to remove dirt, oil, and styling products from the hair. Shampoo is then rinsed out with water, leaving the hair clean and refreshed. Most shampoos contain a combination of cleansing agents, known as surfactants, that help to break down and remove dirt and oil from the hair. These can include ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and cocamidopropyl betaine. In addition to surfactants, shampoos may also contain a variety of other ingredients that provide benefits such as conditioning, moisturizing, and volumising. Some common examples include proteins, vitamins, and natural oils.