Table of Contents
- The Best Natural, Organic, and Non-Toxic Shampoos
- Is Shampoo Toxic to Humans?
- Is Shampoo Harmful to the Environment?
- Tips for Non-Toxic Shampoo Shopping
The Best Natural, Organic, and Non-Toxic Shampoos
This hair-washing mantra has us convinced that a thick, foaming lather equals silky, healthy hair. However, a shampoo’s thick, bubbly lather does not always imply that it is better or more efficient at washing your hair, nor does it always imply healthy hair. This article looks at what to look for in safe shampoos, hair care sustainability, and some of the finest natural product manufacturers to look into.
Is Shampoo Toxic to Humans?
Shampoos and conditioners, like so many other personal care products, are packed with dangerous compounds that might hurt you or the environment. Although the FDA classifies personal care products, it does not regulate them. Because your skin is the first line of defense between you and the outside world, it’s important to be conscious of what you put on it and therefore absorb through it.
Shampoos include a slew of harmful compounds with the type of lengthy, convoluted titles you’re accustomed to reading on the labels of cosmetics and other personal care items. Some may be harmful simply by being there, while others may represent a concern if used often. Dry and damaged hair, hair loss, skin and eye irritation, itchy scalp, allergies, and respiratory difficulties are all possible side effects of these hazardous substances. Some of the components are recognized or suspected carcinogens.
Can the harsh chemicals in my shampoo harm the strength and gloss of my hair?
Sodium lauryl sulfate, as well as sodium Laureth sulfate, are two common ingredients in conventional shampoos. Surfactants are the ingredients in shampoo that cause it to foam, usually due to a chemical reaction. According to the FDA, SLS is not hazardous when applied short and washed off, although it may irritate. Also, SLS concentrations in products that linger on the skin for prolonged periods should not exceed 1%. Given the restrictions of this substance, it’s probably not the best thing to be slathering on our heads every week.
It’s also been stated that sodium lauryl sulfate was created for washing; therefore, it’s not the gentlest substance to use on your lovely locks. According to Hairstory, sodium lauryl sulfate and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are still used in many shampoos today. Since detergents are amphiphilic, they might cause hair difficulties, and they make extraordinarily strong chemical connections with both oil and water in this way. When we use detergents to wash our hair, they catch not just oil and grime but also our scalp’s natural protective barrier. This barrier, made up of sebum, keeps our scalp wet and protects it from allergies, the sun, and dryness. As we rinse, detergents grasp onto water, pulling dirt and both healthy and harmful oils out of our hair and down the drain. This is why it’s important to be aware of crucial components and choose hair products that encourage healthy hair while also being gentle on the scalp.