Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo

Introduction

It is important to be mindful of the ingredients you are putting into your hair when selecting a shampoo. Hair products, such as shampoos, can damage hair follicles and cause hair thinning or other issues, so it pays to choose wisely. To help ensure that you know what you're getting, we have compiled a list of ingredients to avoid when choosing a shampoo. 

These ingredients can be found in many products and have been linked to multiple risks related to health and the environment:

-Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): This is a widely used foaming agent that has been linked to skin irritation, scalp irritation and premature hair breakage. 

-Parabens: Parabens are preservatives used in a wide range of products for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. They have been linked to hormonal disruption and allergies. 

-Fragrance/perfume: While the fragrance may add an enticing scent to your shampoo, it has also been associated with contact dermatitis, skin irritation and allergic reactions. Additionally, fragrances can contain allergens or even phthalates (linked with endocrine disruption). 

-Silicones: Silicones are found in shampoos to add shine or softness to hair; however, they can build up on the scalp over time causing product buildup which inhibits the healthy growth of new hairs.

-Alcohols: Alcohols can strip natural oils from the skin leading to dryness or irritation - especially if these above-mentioned ingredients are used too frequently or together undiluted in higher concentrations within a product; avoidance should be your priority!

Types of Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo

When shopping for shampoo, it's important to read labels. While there are no regulations on labelling products as “natural” or “organic,” you can still work to avoid certain ingredients that are linked to health and environmental hazards.

The following types of ingredients can often be found in a bottle of shampoo and should generally be avoided:

-Parabens: These compounds have been found in many cosmetics and accumulate in body tissue but are especially commonly used as preservatives in shampoos due to their low cost. Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption and some other health problems; they should be avoided when possible.

-SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate): This chemical is often used as a foaming or sudsing agent, but it can be harsh on the skin and eyes. It may also contribute to intestinal irritation, eye damage, or organ damage when long-term exposure occurs. 

-Formaldehyde: This commonly known preservative has been classified as a carcinogen, meaning that it is associated with an increased risk of cancer development when inhaled or ingested over time. As formaldehyde is usually present in shampoos at low levels, general usage is considered safe — but you may want to seek out specifically formaldehyde-free shampoos if you want added protection. 

-DEA (Diethanolamine): DEA is known to accumulate in organs over time and has been linked to liver and kidney damage as well as skin allergies; it may also lead to the formation of nitrates which are potential carcinogens. 

-Phthalates: Phthalates are a type of plasticising chemical that can cause endocrine disruption; they are most likely released into the air through aerosolised sprays like those sometimes added onto shampoos for scent purposes — so try your best not to buy products that use fragrances such as this. 

-Synthetic Colors: Synthetic colours have been proven dangerous due to their association with cancerous agents like coal tar-derived dyes — so these dyes should be avoided when purchasing shampoo.

Reasons to Avoid These Ingredients

When choosing a shampoo or any beauty product for that matter, being aware of the ingredients being used is of utmost importance. Many shampoos contain harsh chemical ingredients that can irritate the scalp and even damage hair. Below are some of the commonly used cosmetic ingredients you should avoid if you want to ensure that your hair stays healthy and beautiful.

-Parabens: Parabens are used as a preservative in shampoo and other cosmetic products. They help prevent microbial growth but have been linked to skin irritation, allergies, and other health concerns, including possible harmful effects on hormones.

-SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate): SLS is a surfactant added to many shampoos, body washes, soaps, and detergents to help create a lather when mixed with water. It has been linked to skin irritation and may also cause eye irritation when exposed over time.

-Fragrance: Fragrances in shampoo can provide a pleasant scent but can also contain a range of chemicals that can cause skin irritation or environmental toxicity due to their accumulation in water systems after washing off the hair products. If natural fragrances are not available look for those labelled as 'phthalate-free'. 

-Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives: These chemical compounds such as Quaternium-15 and Diazolidinyl urea work by continuously releasing very low amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is an extremely irritating substance that can be related to health issues such as asthma attacks, nausea and skin allergies when inhaled or absorbed through the skin frequently over long periods.

-Silicones: Silicones like Dimethicone are popularly used in shampoos due to their ability to make strands feel softer upon application while creating an impermeable barrier on each strand which may weigh down the hair shaft while locking out moisture resulting in more frizz because each strand becomes dryer faster between washes. Additionally, many silicones are not biodegradable so they tend to build up over time weighing down locks permanently while making them brittle over time due to important moisture being locked out continually.

Some silicones are however water- soluble which means they wash out with ordinary use without causing a buildup in your locks but finding those can often be challenging. For instance, Disiloxane is one such water-soluble silicone which does not build up on the hair shafts alleviating any buildup concerns from long-term use.

Natural Alternatives to Harmful Ingredients 

Synthetic ingredients used in common store-bought shampoos can be damaging to both your health and your hair. Many of these chemicals are known hormone disruptors, contribute to indoor air pollution, and may even contain traces of carcinogens. To achieve a natural clean without sacrificing the health of your scalp or hair, it is important to identify and avoid certain chemicals that are often found in shampoo products. 

Common harmful shampoo ingredients include parabens, ethylene oxide, artificial fragrances and dyes, phthalates, and sodium Laureth sulfate. To replace these potentially hazardous additions to your daily care routine, consider choosing natural alternatives such as tree oil or rosemary for fragrance; avocado oil for moisturising; aloe vera for cleansing; shea butter for nourishing; and jojoba oil for conditioning. Additionally, you can find many different types of natural shampoos with safe ingredients on the market. 

When choosing a shampoo product to use regularly, always read the label and be sure to look out for any synthetic fragrances or dyes that may be listed. By taking the time to identify which ingredients are beneficial or harmful to you, you will ultimately save time by avoiding products that could lead to scalp irritation or hair damage down the road.

Benefits of Using Natural Ingredients in Shampoo

Natural ingredients can be beneficial when used in shampoo, as they can help gently cleanse and hydrate the hair without causing harsh side effects or damage. Natural ingredients are often packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients which can provide deep nourishment for the hair follicles. As a result, those who use shampoos that contain natural ingredients may experience healthier, hydrated hair compared to those using products made with synthetic ingredients.

Beneficial natural ingredients commonly used in shampoos include plant-based oils like argan or jojoba oil; botanical extracts like aloe vera, chamomile extract, lavender extract or peppermint extract; and herbal infusions from plants such as rosemary, thyme and nettle infusions. These natural ingredients can help to reduce inflammation, moisturise the hair follicles and boost shine for healthier and more lustrous locks. In contrast, some synthetic ingredients that should be avoided when purchasing shampoo include sulfates (like sodium Laureth sulfate), parabens (such as methylparaben or isopropyl paraben) and formaldehyde releasers (including Diazolidinyl urea).

Tips for Choosing the Right Shampoo

Today, it can be difficult to make an informed decision about the right shampoo for your hair type. There are hundreds of brands and formulas on the market that all promise their unique benefits. It’s important to take a few basic steps when choosing a shampoo to ensure you get the best product without any dangerous ingredients that could harm your hair. 

When examining the ingredients list on a potential shampoo, look out for certain potentially harmful chemicals and additives. Avoid formulas with sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate as they can cause skin irritation. Many shampoos also contain propylene glycol which can construct breathing difficulty in some people. Furthermore, artificial fragrances are often included which contain potentially toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The most important step when selecting a shampoo is to make sure the formula contains natural ingredients that will nourish your scalp instead of stripping it of essential oils. Some of the vital natural ingredients include essential oils such as sandalwood or chamomile, vitamins such as A, B5 and E, aloe vera or jojoba oil as well as nourishing conditioning agents such as argan oil or avocado oil.

By taking some simple steps, you will be sure to find the perfect shampoo for your needs without any danger to your health or harm to your scalp and hair.

Conclusion

The ingredients to avoid in shampoos are broad-ranging and vary depending on an individual's sensitivity and allergies. Generally, sulfates like SLS and SLES, parabens, phthalates and dyes should be avoided. Additionally, artificial preservatives and fragrances may have an adverse effect on people with allergies or sensitivity to these chemicals. Certain plant-based ingredients such as fragrances can also cause reactions in those with allergies.

To ensure the most health-conscious shampoo experience, it’s important to do some research before purchasing or creating your own product with natural ingredients. Educating yourself on the products you're using is key to creating a safe environment for your hair and scalp. With knowledge comes insight: choose the safest approach when purchasing shampoo products or making them at home!

Resources

When selecting a shampoo, it's important to pay attention to the ingredients and avoid those which may be harmful to your hair or skin. To help you, there are several resources available that list potentially dangerous ingredients. These include sites such as Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/), which rates brands according to the safety of their ingredients and Think Dirty (https://thinkdirtyapp.com/), which lists the potentially toxic ingredients used in different products and their potential side effects.

There is also the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (http://www.safecosmetics.org/) which includes a list of tips on what to look out for when reading product labels and buying cosmetics, as well as advice on how to recognise potentially toxic chemicals found in beauty products. Additionally, the FDA has published a list of approved hair care active ingredients (https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/hair-care-active-ingredients) that can help you make an informed decision when selecting a shampoo or other hair care product for your needs.