Introduction
There is a buffet in each store full of different options to pick from, when it comes to shampoos. These products differ mainly due to the ingredients they carry. Some offer hydration, others shine, and all of them promise to deliver cleanliness. These lengthy lists feature hard-to-pronounce ingredients, making it challenging to know what you’re slathering onto your natural locks.
It’s vital to understand the ingredients as you want to avoid irritation or buildup. Have curly? Oily? Straight? Or dyed hair? Find shampoos free of sulfates. Also, you need to avoid products that have:
- Formaldehyde
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Hexachlorophene
Why should you avoid shampoos with these ingredients? Read further to discover more.
Parabens
Parabens are popular but harmful additives. They are available in many regular shampoos and conditioners. They primarily act as preservatives to help prolong shelf life. Some shampoo manufacturers refer to parabens as xenoestrogens. These ingredients can:
- Disrupt the natural hormone balance of your body
- Cause skin irritation
- Result in neurotoxicity
- Affect reproductive health
You’ll not come across an ingredient list that has the phrase “parabens.” They’re usually represented by phrases ending with “paraben.” Some examples are:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Butylparaben
Sulfates
These are popular cleansing agents available as either sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. Sulfates provide a deep clean. They’re also responsible for the lathering effect. Your shampoo doesn’t lather? Chances are it is sulfate-free. Shampoos that have sulfates may result in:
- Inflammation
- Skin irritation
- Skin dryness
Sulfates can increase skin sensitivity. They can also worsen existing conditions. Popular ones are contact dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea. Sulfates can, in most cases, strip off natural oils. This causes dryness. And what is more? They may disrupt natural sebum production and damage your hair.
Hexachlorophene
In shampoos and other beauty products, hexachlorophene is a common antiseptic. Its antibacterial characteristics make it popular in regular shampoos. This ingredient can cause skin and eye irritation, including:
- Scaling
- Sensitivity to light
- Swelling and redness
- Dryness
When swallowed, hexachlorophene is also harmful. It can cause abdominal seizures. Other common issues are vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Formaldehyde
Most household products have formaldehyde. It’s also available in:
- Paints
- Furniture
- Some building materials
In beauty products, it acts as a preservative and is a common cause of dermatitis or allergies. Additionally, it can worsen skin conditions. Some of them are eczema and allergic dermatitis.
Phthalates
These are artificial compounds. They usually add flexibility to plastics. Manufacturers of regular shampoos use phthalates as binding agents. The human body easily absorbs them. Health experts link phthalates to:
- Infertility and low sperm count
- Changes in levels of hormone and function
- Gestational diabetes and increased pregnancy loss risk
Also, these ingredients can damage your liver. Additionally, they can harm your thyroid, kidney, and immune system and the environment isn’t spared. They easily pollute it. They also affect reproduction in animals as they do in humans.
Shampoo Ingredients to Look for
What should you look for in your next product? Pick a shampoo that includes:
- Sodium cocoylglycinate: This is an amino-acid-derived cleanser that is considered not only safe but also non-irritating.
- Disodium: This is a sulfate-free cleansing agent. It’s popular for its degreasing benefits. Disodium is gentle on the hair, scalp, and skin.
- Sodium lauroyl sacrcosinate: Obtained from sarcosine, this is a gentle cleanser. It lacks any of the risks of sulfates.
Ideal products for your hair are those that contain:
- Essential oils
- Seed oils
- Fruit extracts
- Botanicals
They tend to cleanse gently. They enhance hydration without causing any irritation to your scalp. It doesn’t strip your locks of natural oils.
