What do you have in your mind while buying a shampoo?

Usually, we prefer to choose a good brand and then check out its fragrance as well. Isn’t it? While I may not want to disappoint you but the fact is: “fragrance” is what most brands use as a weapon to sell their otherwise chemically lauded product. 

Another fact is that the chemicals are mentioned in the “ingredients” section of every shampoo bottle that we buy. But owing to the lack of our knowledge about the harshness of chemicals, we still prefer to buy a nicely-fragrant famous brand. After using such synthetic shampoos, we damage our hair in every possible way that one can think of.

For this purpose of educating our readers about the toxic chemicals, we have compiled a list of ingredients that you MUST avoid while buying a shampoo for your beautiful hair.

Shampoo Ingredients to Avoid

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sulfates are basically chemical detergents and create a lather when mixed with water. That means these are an essential element in removing dirt and dust.  So they are good, right? Not so! The truth is that scalp is a sensitive part and sulfates are way too much for it. It causes dryness and hair loss.

Just know that
Sulfates cause rashes, hair-fall, and a condition similar to dandruff.
Moreover, Sulfates remove all the natural oil and moisture from your scalp leaving
 it all dry and dull.

2. Fragrance

Well… Yes.. You are rightly surprised. If your shampoo’s ingredients list says “fragrance” then it’s a moment to rethink your choice of shampoo.

Here is the tip:
If the manufacturers use natural essential oil as an aromatic element
then they DO ALWAYS mention the name of that particular oil.

Otherwise, it is usually a synthetic chemical in the name of fragrance. Because who knows what’s behind the “fragrance-curtain”?

3. Parabens

Parabens are Xenoestrogens. This means, their chemical composition is similar to that of hormones found in the human body. Particularly the women hormone Estrogen and reduces its production.

In the simplest words
Xenoestrogens disrupt the normal hormonal cycle of human body. 

Moreover, there is evidence that the traces of Parabens are found in Breast cancer tissues.  Now, this DOES NOT mean that Parabens cause cancer however prevention is always better than cure. 

3. Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial preservative and found in lots of antibacterial soaps and detergents. It is also a part of skin cleansing wipes, cosmetic products, facial cleansers, dental care products, and even in the keyboards we use. But this product, Triclosan, has some serious health issues including:

• Uncontrolled cell growth, that, is commonly characterized as Cancer.
• Birth defects
• Endocrine hormonal abnormalities

Better avoid this ingredient in all the cosmetic and hair products that you use.

4. Synthetic Colours

Have you heard that you should avoid using synthetic colors in the food you eat? 

Same is the case when it comes to your hair. Synthetic colors may seem attractive and good to use but they are, at the end of the day, synthetic. As many synthetic items, synthetic colors also contain toxic chemicals that:

increase the sensitivity, rashes, and irritation, plus restrict follicles
which are essential for hair growth.

Next time, think about this before falling for an attractive color.

5. Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl palmitate is a form of Vitamin A. It is widely used in cosmetics products but retinyl palmitate is advised to avoid because of some serious disadvantages. After being n contact with skin, Retinyl Palmitate is converted to Retinol which results in redness, itching, rashes, and peeling of the skin. 

6. Polyethylene Glycol

The Natural Society in The Staes of California describes Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as a “developmental toxicant”. In simple words, this chemical interferes with the developmental cycle of the human body and causes developmental defects. Better avoid any product containing PEG in it!

7. Petroleum and Mineral Oil

Petroleum is made from the same product from which petrol is made. It blocks the skin’s pores and refrains the body from moisturizing its own skin. As far as the scalp is considered, you know how important is it to keep it moisturized naturally. Dry and dead scalp inhibits hair growth and causes hair breakage and hair loss.

This is a list of very few chemicals that are used in almost all the famous brands. But now you know that you must avoid these. Next time you buy a shampoo or a conditioner or any cosmetic product, do have a look at ingredients, please!

If you really want to take care of your hair, you need to have a good hair oil plus a good hair shampoo. Why not try making one at your home from the ingredients that you know?

Organic hair oil and hair shampoo is the cure
if you want healthier, longer, and stronger hair. Do read
our articles about DIY Hair Oil and Organic Hair Shampoo and
let us know the results. 🙂