Quick answer: every Insight Professional shampoo cleanses thoroughly. What sets each one apart is the job it does after cleansing: rebalancing an oily scalp, soothing a sensitive one, protecting colour, toning blonde or nourishing dry lengths. So prescribe the shampoo for the client's scalp, the conditioner or mask for their lengths, and use the technical shampoos around the colour service.
"Which Insight shampoo cleans the best?" is one of the questions Insight's education team hears most from salons new to the brand. The answer is that they all do. This guide shows how to choose between them at the basin, and how to turn that choice into a retail recommendation clients actually follow.
Why Insight calls shampoo a "cleanser"
More salons now talk about cleansers rather than shampoos, in the same way hairdressers say "lightener" rather than "bleach". Lorraine Matic, Head of Insight UK Education, explains the thinking:
"Every shampoo's job is to cleanse, and then to do an action. What its ingredients are decides that second job. Rebalancing cleanses the hair and soothes the scalp. Nourishing cleanses and nourishes the hair and scalp. Even Blonde and Antioxidant cleanse the hair and then create a protective shield."
She compares it to shower gel. A cheap bar of soap and a good shower gel both get you clean, but they leave your skin feeling very different. Shampoo works the same way, which is why the question to ask at the basin isn't "how clean?" but "clean, and then what?"
It starts with the water
Water is the biggest single ingredient in almost any shampoo. Every Insight formula is made with ozonated, purified water, which Lorraine describes as looking after the other ingredients in the formula as well as the hair and scalp, for a gentler cleanse. Alongside it, Insight uses naturally derived cleansing agents and botanical extracts. Every product is vegan, cruelty-free and made in Italy.
Step 1: prescribe the shampoo for the scalp
Start the consultation at the scalp. Part the hair in a few places and ask how quickly the roots get oily, whether it itches, and whether they've noticed flakes.
|
If the scalp is… |
Prescribe |
What it does after cleansing |
|---|---|---|
|
Oily, or the client washes daily |
Purifies and helps keep the scalp clean and fresh for longer |
|
|
Flaky, with dandruff |
The Clarifying anti-dandruff range, with tested efficacy against dandruff |
|
|
Delicate or easily irritated |
An extremely mild cleanse, dermatologically tested on sensitive skin |
|
|
Red, sore or itchy right now |
A very gentle cleanse for irritated, red or itchy scalps |
|
|
Normal, washed often |
Lightweight everyday cleansing that keeps hair soft and shiny |
Two things worth saying out loud to the client: Rebalancing is for oil, Purifying is for flakes. They're often confused, and a client with dandruff using an oily-scalp shampoo (or the reverse) won't see the result they want. If a scalp is weeping, very sore or the problem persists, refer them to their GP or pharmacist.
Step 2: prescribe for the lengths
Once the scalp is sorted, look at the mid-lengths and ends. If the scalp is normal, the shampoo can be chosen for the hair itself; if not, let the conditioner or mask do the work on the lengths.
|
If the lengths are… |
Shampoo |
Conditioner |
|---|---|---|
|
Frizzy or humidity-prone |
||
|
Dry or dehydrated |
||
|
Damaged by colour, bleach or heat |
||
|
Colour-treated |
||
|
Blonde, highlighted or brassy |
Cold Reflections Hair Mask once or twice a week |
|
|
Grey, white or silver |
Colored Hair Protective Conditioner (Insight's own blonde and balayage pairing) |
|
|
Dull or exposed to sun, sea and pollution |
||
|
Fine and flat |
Keep conditioner light and on the ends |
|
|
Weak and fragile |
Keep conditioner light and on the ends |
Think like a hairdresser
The cleanser is chosen for the scalp; the conditioner or mask is chosen for the lengths. A client with an oily scalp but dry, damaged ends is a classic example. Lorraine's prescription would be Rebalancing Shampoo at the scalp, then a Damaged Hair mask on the mid-lengths and ends. Two products, each doing one job well, beats one product trying to do both.
The technical shampoos: before and after the colour service
Two Insight shampoos are made for the salon rather than for take-home, and they're the ones that often get overlooked.
- Pre-Treatment Shampoo deep-cleanses and removes product build-up to prepare the hair before technical services such as perming and smoothing treatments. Think of it as your clarifying step: it gives the service a clean starting point.
- Neutralizing Shampoo is an acidifying cleanser that helps seal pigments inside the hair and removes alkaline residue, boosting and extending colour duration. It's formulated to complete the INCOLOR salon colour service.
After either one, go back to the care shampoo and conditioner that suit the client's hair, and send them home on the same range.
From the basin to the retail shelf
A prescription the client can't remember is a sale that doesn't happen. A few habits make the difference:
- Name it at the basin. Tell the client what you're using and why: "This is Rebalancing, it's for your oily roots." They feel the result and hear the reason in the same moment.
- Explain the second job, not the brand. "All shampoos clean; this one also protects your colour" is easier to buy into than a list of ingredients.
- Prescribe in pairs. One product for the scalp, one for the lengths, exactly as you would in the chair.
- Write it down. A prescription card with the two product names and how often to use them keeps the recommendation in the salon, not in a supermarket aisle.
- Let them try first. Smaller sizes are an easy yes for a client who isn't ready to commit to a full bottle.
- Shelve by concern. Group retail by "oily scalp", "frizz", "colour" and "blonde" rather than by range name, so clients can find their prescription again.
All of the above are available at trade prices from Hairco & Beauty, stockist for Insight Professional, in 900ml backbar sizes and smaller retail sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Which Insight shampoo cleans the best? They all cleanse thoroughly. Choose by what you want the shampoo to do next: rebalance, purify, soothe, nourish, protect colour, tone or add volume.
What's the difference between Rebalancing and Purifying? Rebalancing is for oily scalps. Purifying, from the Clarifying range, is the anti-dandruff shampoo.
Does Insight make a clarifying shampoo? For a deep, pre-service cleanse, use Pre-Treatment Shampoo. For everyday oily scalps, Rebalancing works like a gentle purifying cleanse. Insight's Clarifying range is its anti-dandruff range.
What is ozonated water? Water purified with ozone. Every Insight formula is made with it.
Are Insight shampoos vegan? Yes. Every Insight product is vegan, cruelty-free and made in Italy.
Where can I find out more about Insight? See Insight Professional UK for the brand's story, certifications and education.
Stock Insight at trade prices
Browse the full Insight Professional range at Hairco & Beauty, the official UK wholesaler, with trade pricing for salons and barbers.
AUTHOR
Hairco & Beauty, with Lorraine Matic, Head of Insight UK Education
