Iv San Bernard Purifying Shampoo, 1 l is a clarifying shampoo for dogs and cats with clay. According to the manufacturer, the Dead Sea clay formula gently cleans the coat and skin of dirt, sebum and cosmetic products and suits all coat types. The shampoo is massaged into the wet coat in circular motions, left for 3–5 minutes and rinsed off, then the procedure is repeated. For best results the manufacturer recommends using a cleansing mask with the same clay before washing and a conditioner for your coat type afterwards.
Ingredients
Water, sodium laureth sulfate, glycol distearate, cocamide DEA, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, cocamide MEA, PEG-15 cocopolyamine, kaolin, glycerin, laureth-10, citric acid, sodium chloride, diazolidinyl urea, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben and parfum (fragrance).
The cleansing base is sodium laureth sulfate, which dissolves grease and product residue well, together with milder surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine, cocoamphodiacetate). The clay is listed as kaolin, a white clay that absorbs sebum and dirt. Glycerin slightly softens the effect of the surfactants.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | clarifying shampoo |
| For | dogs and cats |
| Coat type | all types |
| Key ingredient | clay (kaolin) |
| Contact time | 3–5 minutes, then repeat |
| Afterwards | conditioner for your coat type |
| Volume | 1 l |
Pros
- Deep cleaning. Removes grease, dirt and product residue.
- Clay in the formula. Kaolin absorbs sebum.
- For all coat types.
- For dogs and cats.
- Large size. 1 l lasts a long time and suits a grooming salon.
- Full ingredient list. Every component is listed.
Cons and what to watch
- "Dead Sea clay" is not named in the ingredients. The list simply says kaolin.
- Strong cleansing base. Sodium laureth sulfate may dry the skin with frequent use.
- Not for everyday care. It is a deep-cleaning shampoo and needs a conditioner afterwards.
- Parabens and fragrance. For very sensitive skin a hypoallergenic product is a better choice.
- Marketing claims. "Penetrates inside the hair" is an unsupported manufacturer promise.
How to wash
Wet the coat thoroughly with warm water right down to the skin. Apply the shampoo in circular motions, spread it over the whole body, avoiding the eyes, and leave it for 3–5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and repeat: the second lather usually foams better because most of the dirt and grease went with the first. Finally rinse the coat very well, as shampoo residue can cause itching. Step-by-step instructions are in dog shampoo: how to choose and how to wash.
When a clarifying shampoo is needed
This kind of shampoo is used when the coat is very dirty or greasy, after muddy walks, before a show (to remove old styling products and start with a clean coat) and after it, to get rid of powder, chalk, lacquer and sprays. Groomers also use a clarifying shampoo as the first wash and then follow with a shampoo for the specific coat type.
Conditioner afterwards
After deep cleaning the coat needs moisture, so the manufacturer recommends finishing with a conditioner. For a coat that needs nourishment, the Green Caviar conditioner works, and for shine on a dry coat, the Green Caviar Luminance spray.
Similar shampoos
If you want a deep-cleaning shampoo from another maker, see TropiClean Berry & Coconut. For regular washing, the Iv San Bernard range has shampoos for each coat type, such as 01 Nourishing with argan oil.
Cats
The shampoo is also suitable for cats. Cats are washed less often than dogs, and a clarifying shampoo helps when the coat gets greasy — for example in older or overweight cats that struggle to groom. For tips on a calm bath, see how to bathe a cat.
Storage
Keep the bottle closed at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
Who it suits
Purifying Shampoo suits dogs and cats of any coat type when deep cleaning of grease, dirt and show products is needed, at home or in a grooming salon. Other shampoos are in the dog shampoo collection and on the Iv San Bernard brand page.
Verdict
Iv San Bernard Purifying Shampoo is a clarifying kaolin shampoo for dogs and cats that removes grease, dirt and cosmetic products, is applied twice for 3–5 minutes and needs a conditioner afterwards. The downsides are that the clay is listed simply as kaolin, the cleansing base is strong and may dry the skin with frequent use, and it contains parabens and fragrance.
FAQ
How long should the shampoo stay on?
3–5 minutes, then rinse and repeat.
Which coat types?
All types.
Is a conditioner needed?
Yes, the manufacturer recommends a conditioner for your coat type.
What clay does it contain?
The ingredient list names kaolin.
Can it be used on cats?
Yes.
Can it be used often?
It is best kept for deep cleaning, with a coat-type shampoo for regular washing.
What volume is it?
1 l.
