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John Masters Organics' "C&G Shampoo" that Overturned the Conventional Wisdom of Organic Shampoo: Why It's Considered the Brand's Flagship

2025.02.22

While organic shampoos are gentle on hair and scalp, they often lack adequate cleansing power and finish...... John Masters Organics's "C&G Shampoo" is one of those shampoos that has overturned this conventional thinking in the beauty industry.

Despite being based on amino acid cleansing ingredients that are gentle on hair, it thoroughly cleanses hair and scalp with fine, rich lather. Furthermore, it leads to airy hair that is smooth to the touch through the use of plant oils and fruit extracts.

To understand the effectiveness of the now flagship product C&G Shampoo, we spoke with Sayaka Mochimaru, who handles PR for John Masters Organics.

PROFILE

Sayaka Mochimaru

John Masters Organics Group, Inc.
"john masters organics" PR

A Lifestyle Cosmetics Brand from New York Focused on Organic Ingredients

What kind of brand is John Masters Organics?

It is a brand established by New York hairstylist John Masters.

While working for many years in hair salons, he started to question the damage caused by chemicals to hair and skin, as well as the burden placed on the environment in the pursuit of beauty.

So, he began making hair oil using organic essential oils in his home kitchen.

In 1994, he establish a salon in Soho that used no chemicals at all. This marked the roots of John Masters Organics.

Please tell us about the brand's concept and commitment to manufacturing.

Through organic cosmetics, we aim to contribute to the future of people and the planet. To achieve this, we have consistently used organic ingredients grown and harvested without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, thus creating products that are gentle on the environment.

We do not use synthetic fragrances, relying instead on a blend of naturally derived essential oils.

Currently, we offer over 50 items including shampoos, conditioners, treatments, hair sprays, and waxes.

It’s a well-known brand in Japan as well; when did it arrive?

It made its debut in Japan in 2007, and the following year, we opened Japan's first directly managed store in Omotesando, Tokyo. At that time, the awareness of organic cosmetics in Japan wasn’t very high, but stylish packaging and the scent of essential oils grabbed attention, leading to coverage in various magazines.

The "C&G Shampoo" Boasting Top-Class Lather

"C&G Shampoo," 236ml 2,640 yen (tax included)

What is the story behind the creation of C&G Shampoo?

Japanese people often wash their hair daily, which leads to a tendency for hair to become easily dry and damaged. In developing this product, we aimed to create a shampoo that fits the Japanese lifestyle.

Since its launch in 2021, it has been highly regarded by hair and makeup artists and beauty journalists, winning the best cosmetics award in several media outlets.

What sets it apart from other shampoos?

The primary focus was on the quality of lather.

Traditional shampoos that contain organic ingredients or amino acid-based cleansing agents are often gentle on hair and scalp but lack sufficient lather.

Thus, John Masters Organics successfully achieved a rich lather called 'cushion foam' by balancing organic coconut oil-derived amino acid cleansing ingredients with naturally sourced cleansing agents.

Additionally, natural moisturizing ingredients such as shiitake mushroom polysaccharides and spirulina polysaccharides support the foam membrane, creating rich, fine bubbles that are infused with air.

The excellent cleansing power produced by this cushiony foam is sure to satisfy those with long hair or those using styling products.

Most importantly, the cushiony foam effectively removes dirt, while minimizing the burden on hair and scalp caused by daily shampooing.

How is the finish?

Some organic shampoos can leave hair feeling rough or dry, but C&G Shampoo is different.

This shampoo is formulated with abundant natural moisturizing ingredients tailored for the delicate hair of Japanese individuals. Wasabi seed oil and spirulina polysaccharides care for damage caused by dryness, while macadamia seed oil and broccoli seed oil help maintain shine.

While cleansing dirt, it wraps hair in moisture, leading to smooth, soft, and airy hair.

Is it true that it can also care for damage?

Yes. By using plant-derived moisturizing ingredients that protect the cuticle during washing, it is expected to help prevent the loss of internal proteins, moisture, and color from the hair.

A Quality Fragrance Woven from 10 Types of Essential Oils

The fragrance is uniquely John Masters Organics.

The "C" in C&G Shampoo stands for "Citrus," and the "G" stands for "Geranium."

The scent is a blend of 10 types of essential oils, including citrus and geranium, as well as orange and bergamot.

The refreshing herbal notes are supported by rich cedarwood and frankincense, creating a deep and comforting fragrance.

It has been four years since its release; how has the response been?

Currently, it is a popular product known for its sales and repeat purchase rates within the shampoo category. Initially available only in 236ml, in response to feedback from heavy users, a 473ml bottle was also released.

Users have shared comments like, "I was surprised by how quickly it lathers into a bouncy foam," "I don't feel any roughness when rinsing it out," and "The fragrance is wonderful, making bath time enjoyable," which reassures us of its quality.

Lastly, what does C&G Shampoo mean to the brand?

“True beauty is feeling the most beautiful and comfortable in oneself.” This is the philosophy of the brand's founder, John Masters.

This shampoo, while adhering to organic and natural ingredients, achieves excellent cleansing performance, a smooth finish, and a quality scent, truly embodies the brand's ideals.

Using this shampoo, you'll understand what John Masters Organics is all about, and we hope many people—regardless of age, gender, or hair type—will love using it.

Text by Ryota Osujo