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Cow Urine Shampoo Developed By Scientists Because Regular Shampoo Didn't Quite Cut It

Would You Use Cow Urine To Wash Your Hair?
Ryan Barrell
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A group of students from the University of Reykjavik have created a shampoo made from cow urine.

The six scientists said they drew from an Icelandic tradition of women pouring the waste product into water to wash their hair.

Co-creator Anton Reynir Hafdisarson said: "Despite the critics, some people will think it exciting and want to give it a try. Icelandic history tells us that girls used to mix urine into their washing water to clean and beautify their hair."

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Anton Reynir Hafdisarson brewing up a batch

"We hope there will be more fans than there are people who simply think the idea is disgusting," he added.

Cow urine contains ammonia, which is an active ingredient in many modern shampoos. The "Q Shampoo" also contains sunflower and coconut oils to mask the smell.

"Some people think there is a slight whiff of urine in the soap," Hafdisarson added. "But that might just be because they know what's in the product. We think it is not noticeable."

The scientist claims to wash his hair with the product every day and hopes to sell it on the international market.

"The product is 100 per cent organic with no artificial ingredients or harmful by-products," he says.

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Important Facts About Shampoo
Your shampoo might contain dangerous chemicals... (01 of06)
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A recent study by Oakland's Center for Environmental Health watchdog group brought attention to certain shampoos and body washes that contain cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA), a chemical that can potentially cause cancer. (credit:Stígur Karlsson via Getty Images)
What is cocamide DEA found in? (02 of06)
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The chemical can be found in 98 shampoos and soaps, including big names like Sephora, CVS, Walgreens and Target, among others. (credit:Lauren Burke via Getty Images)
The reason you didn't know this was dangerous? (03 of06)
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Outside of California, companies don't have to put warning labels on their products. But within California, some companies ignore the legislature and continue to make products with out the warning label announcing the chemical agent. (credit:Adam Gault via Getty Images)
But some companies have started to ban cocamide DEA. (04 of06)
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SFGate reports that certain companies (like Saks, Walgreens and Colgate-Palmolive) have joined in the fight again cancer-causing chemicals and banned cocamide DEA from their products. Other retailers have refused to cooperate, and the Center for Environment health reportedly has over 100 pending lawsuits against them. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Switching to natural remedies isn't always the best solution... (05 of06)
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As celebrity stylist Riccardo Maggiore told Women's Day, "Lemon, for example, can irritate the scalp and hair follicle," says Maggiore. "And mint and menthol—which, when used in salon products can create a soothing effect—can actually cause severe allergic reactions when used in home remedies." So while you're trying to avoid toxic chemicals, make sure you don't accidentally run into other irritants. (credit:Chris Stein via Getty Images)
Just make sure you're informed. (06 of06)
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Make sure to look into some of the products you normally use before you buy them, and see if they contain cocamide DEA or a harmful sulfate. One woman hasn't shampooed her hair in over five years, but you might want to take baby steps, like simply switching shampoos or slowly easing into the "no-poo" movement. (credit:Oli Kellett via Getty Images)
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