Reasons for color change of pet grooming products- Why is the color of my shampoo different from before

by BBird June 27, 2025

Good question! Let”s take a look. Firstly, we need to distinguish

between having a different color and discoloration. DIScoloration

is when a color is “off”, it doesn’t look right. It may be murky,

muddy. greyish or just plain yukkk. That can happen as a product

ages or if it has become contaminated. Excessive heat or cold

during storage or transportation can also make a color weird.

Factors Affecting Color of a Shampoo

Several factors can influence a change in color of shampoo from

one bottle to the next:

• Ingredients: Variations in the ingredients used in the

formulation can lead to differences in color. Even slight

changes in the sourcing or composition of ingredients can

affect the final color of the product.

• Exposure to Light: Shampoo bottles exposed to

sunlight or artificial light over time may experience

photochemical reactions, leading to discoloration. This is

particularly true for transparent or translucent bottles.

• Oxidation: Some ingredients in shampoos are prone to

oxidation when exposed to air. This oxidation process can

cause a change in color. Fragrances and certain botanical

extracts are examples of ingredients that can be affected by

oxidation. Oxidation is particularly hazardous with essential

oils and some oils, such as Citrus oils can become potent

sensitizers in their oxidize form.

• Temperature: Fluctuations in temperature during

storage and transportation can affect the stability of the

ingredients and cause changes in color. Extreme

temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions leading to

discoloration.

• Microbial Growth: Contamination by microorganisms

can also result in color changes. Mold, bacteria, or yeast

growth within the product can produce pigments that alter

the appearance of the shampoo.

• Packaging Materials: Interaction between the

shampoo formulation and the packaging material can cause

changes in color. For example, certain plastics may leach

compounds into the shampoo, leading to discoloration.

• Manufacturing Process: Variations in the

manufacturing process, such as mixing, heating, or cooling,

can impact the color of the final product. Inconsistencies in

these processes can affect the color and fragrance of a

shampoo.

• Dyes and Colorants: Shampoos that contain dyes or

colorants may experience fading or changes in hue over

time due to exposure to environmental factors or interactions

with other ingredients.

• pH Changes: Changes in pH levels can affect the

stability of the ingredients and cause color alterations. pH-

sensitive compounds in the formulation may undergo

chemical reactions leading to discoloration.

• Age: Over time, even under ideal storage conditions,

chemical reactions within the shampoo formulation may

occur, resulting in changes in color.

Manufacturers take various measures to minimize these factors

and maintain the consistency of the product's color from batch to

batch. However, slight variations may still occur due to the

complex nature of formulation and environmental factors. One of

the downsides to the trend of botanical extracts and essential oils

is that nature is inconsistent. Differences can occur in plants from

one batch to the next. Yes climate change can affect your

cosmetics, folks!

Covid’s Bitter Blow to the Supply Chain

As end users, groomers need to appreciate the severity of the

impact caused by the Covid Pandemic on the supply chain of

ingredient chemicals. It was a world-wide frustration. Companies

had to scramble to deal with multiple crises. Pet shampoo

manufacturers had to find alternate suppliers of some ingredients,

different sources of feedstock chemicals, and all sorts of

challenges, large & small. Something as simple as running out of

bottle caps can disrupt manufacturing. And something as small as

having to find a new source of an herbal additive can slightly

change the color of a shampoo.

The Global Nature of Cosmetic Chemistry

Aside from the pandemic and the disruption of the supply

chain, the chemical industry while robust, is rather fragile. The

industry as a whole depends on the interaction of a number of

nations around the globe and large and small suppliers for can be

disrupted by catastrophic weather events, international tensions,

war, disputes, shipping difficulties, etc.

Another Shakeup Coming Soon

As I write this, June 2025, I recognize that due to the

forthcoming tariffs, we are on the cusp of raw materials and

supply crisis similar to the problems we had during the Covid

Pandemic. Companies are going to start using different suppliers

and/or ingredients in order to maintain their price points. Others,

such as Ives San Bernard, who import their entire product line,

will find themselves having to raise prices. Some switching

around has already started. There will be changes.