Chandanalepa Nelli Ayurveda Shampoo is a hair-care formula built around two botanicals that have occupied a central place in South Asian Ayurvedic tradition for centuries: Nelli oil, pressed from the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica — the plant known elsewhere as Indian Gooseberry or Amla — and Soap Nut extract drawn from Sapindus trifoliatus. Together they give the shampoo its character: a plant-rooted cleansing system that sits within a modern, carefully composed formulation.
Nelli is the Sinhala name for Phyllanthus emblica, a fruit long prized in classical Ayurveda and listed on the ingredient panel here as Phyllanthus emblica L. (Nelli) Oil. Alongside it, Sapindus trifoliatus Soap Nut extract provides a natural mild detergency through its saponin content — saponins are the compounds that give soap nuts their gentle lathering quality and their long history as a hair-washing ingredient across the Indian subcontinent. The full botanical complement also includes Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Welmee) Oil, Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Oil, and Eclipta prostrata (Keekirindiya) Oil, all named in the Ayurvedic tradition, alongside Tocopheryl Acetate rounding out the oil phase.
Chandanalepa is the market-leading Ayurvedic cosmetic brand in Sri Lanka, manufactured by Sanjeewaka Ayurvedic Products (Pvt) Ltd at their premises in Veyangoda. The brand's Ayurvedic heritage dates to 1948, when it was founded by Dr. R.D.P. Jayaratne, and its products are today distributed across twelve countries. The Nelli shampoo carries the brand's Ayurveda positioning and is labelled Paraben Free and Cruelty Free on the pack.
The shampoo is available in two sizes — 80 ml and 180 ml — making it practical both as a travel companion and for everyday bathroom use. It is formulated for external use only; if any irritation or sensitivity arises during use, it should be discontinued. The full ingredient declaration reads: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Dimethicone, Sapindus trifoliatus (Soap Nut) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin (and) Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Phyllanthus emblica L. (Nelli) Oil, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Welmee) Oil, Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Oil, Eclipta prostrata (Keekirindiya) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, NaOH, Disodium EDTA.
