Be Aware, For Your Hair
We’ve gotten so trustful of marketing, influencers, and word of mouth, haven’t we? To a point where we don’t look at the back of our bottles much anymore. Many of us might be putting a dangerous concoction of chemical soup on our heads without realizing it, and doing more harm than good. Have no fear! If you can keep an eye out for the ingredients below, you’ll be on the right track.
1. Undisclosed Fragrance
Fragrances, synthetic or natural, are usually the common cause behind irritants and allergies. They make your shampoo smell great, but aren’t necessarily something you should be prioritizing when it comes to hair care. Fragrances are usually a cocktail of chemicals used by beauty companies, so it's best to avoid them where possible.
2. Sulfates
The purpose of sulfates is to remove any buildup in your hair, which is great. However, they can be so powerful that they actually strip your hair of its natural oils and can leave you feeling dry. Sulfates are also known to strip color, so it's best to avoid them if you have dyed hair.
3. Lily Aldehyde
This once-popular fragrance mimicked the smell of lily-of-the-valley. However, the chemical was banned in the EU and UK in 2022 due to potential health concerns of skin sensitization and reproductive issues. The fragrance hasn’t been banned in North America, but we would definitely watch out for it anyway.
4. Sodium Chloride
Also known as table salt, sodium chloride is added to shampoos as a thickening agent, especially in shampoos containing sulfates. This chemical has been found to cause dryness, itchiness, hair breakage, and color fading among users.
5. Cocamide DEA
This chemical acts as a foaming agent in shampoos, which is how you get that luxurious lather when you wash your hair. While you would normally think that’s good, cocamide DEA has been listed as a potential carcinogen and is also said to cause skin and eye irritation.
6. Parabens
This one is tricky. Parabens are synthetic preservatives that help prevent bacteria and mold from growing in shampoo, and also help to stabilize the product’s formula. Unfortunately, there have been several concerns regarding irritation, hormone disruption, and reproductive health. It’s probably best to look for products that use sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate instead of parabens.
7. Polyethylene Glycol
This chemical is used to thicken and emulsify shampoos, and also as a humectant to improve moisture retention. While generally considered safe, certain manufacturers may leave traces of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, 2 chemicals that have potential health risks.
8. Triclosan
Used as an antimicrobial and preservative agent in shampoos, regular use of triclosan has waned over the years due to allergies, antibacterial resistance, and hormonal upset. Studies have also suggested that triclosan may be absorbed through the skin, which can disrupt the skin barrier and affect our bodies' microbiomes.
9. Formaldehyde
Also used as a preservative in shampoos, formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen, irritant, and possible cause for hair loss. While formaldehyde itself may not be listed as an ingredient, there are several preservatives to look out for that release formaldehyde over time.
10. Dimethicone
This chemical is a silicone that coats hair to make it look smooth, shiny, and less frizzy. However, it’s not water-soluble, so it will build up in your hair over time. We totally want smooth, shiny hair, but you should probably keep a clarifying shampoo nearby if you choose to engage with this chemical.
melanfolia меланфолія on Unsplash
1. Sienna Naturals
This company’s H.A.P.I recently won an environmental award. It’s clarifying and claims to restore curl patterns and smooth frizz. The shampoo does use essential oils for fragrance, but if you’re okay with scents, then you should be just fine.
2. Stream2Sea
Stream2Sea is well-loved for its reef-safe formula, making it a great choice for anyone who spends a lot of time in natural bodies of water. Their 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash doesn’t contain oxybenzone, parabens, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
3. ROZ Foundation Shampoo
While a little bit on the expensive side, ROZ’s foundation shampoo is vegan, cruelty-free, and doesn’t contain silicone, parabens, SLS, triclosan, or gluten. The bottles are also made of aluminum, so you can refill or recycle without worry.
4. Prose
Prose is a popular beauty brand that specializes in personalized products. You can build a shampoo that suits the needs of your hair, but all shampoos use rice water, apple cider vinegar and don’t contain any sulfates.
5. Organicules
This Ireland-based company is all about, you guessed it, organic products. It sells handmade shampoo and conditioner bars, and claims that their bars are balanced, free of palm oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrances. They’re also sold in bio-degradable, compostable, or aluminum packaging.
6. Hask
Hask has been prioritizing clean beauty standards and anti-animal testing since 2013, so many of their products are great for anyone looking to go more natural. The company has also been Leaping Bunny certified since 2019, and launched a vegan collection in 2020.
7. Ceremonia
This company’s color protection and damage repair guava shampoo won best shampoo for color-treated hair back in 2023. Ceremonia says they do not use parabens, sulfates, silicones, or phthalates. The best part? It won’t break the bank.
8. SheaMoisture
This popular hair care company doesn’t use any silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or mineral oil. The products are tailored to people with curls, and are likely too heavy for anyone with straighter hair, but they are a clean, cruelty-free brand.
Daniela Paola Alchapar on Unsplash
9. Alodia
Alodia boasts “clean, green beauty,” and says none of its products contain harmful chemicals. Their most popular shampoos are their Nourish and Hydrate Creme Shampoo and their Alodia Come Clean Shampoo.
vickholius nugroho on Unsplash
10. Ursa Major
This company’s Go Easy Shampoo is good for all hair types, is free of sulfates, and is vegan and cruelty-free. The shampoo is also sold in an aluminum bottle, so it's 100% recyclable.
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