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How to read a shampoo label
Use the name, the directions and the ingredient list you can actually read.
Start with the exact product name and the step it is for: wash-and-rinse, or leave-in. Check where to apply it, whether you rinse, and the precautions. If a listing is hard to read, ask for a photo of the current label before you order.
For Dr. M, the shampoo directions include a gentle 2–3 minute wash and a thorough rinse. The tonic has a separate 2–3 minute massage and is left in. Do not merge those into one rule.
Malaysia’s cosmetic labelling guidance asks for an ingredient list. Ingredients are generally listed by descending weight when added, with exceptions that include ingredients below 1% and colourants. The list does not usually give each exact concentration. It is useful if you have been told to avoid a named ingredient. It is a weak way to rank whole products from one familiar word. The labelling checklist is NPRA’s labelling requirements.
Also check the product name, contents, batch information and precautions on the live label. NPRA’s claims guidance separates ordinary cosmetic wording from treatment claims. Prefer a description of what the product is for, and what was actually tested, over a percentage in a headline. The claims note is NPRA’s claims guidance.