Want your good hair days to last? Well, then you definitely need to cut down on the chemicals that come packed with your hair products. Managing your hair goes beyond purchasing glossy haircare products. If you want to improve your hair quality without using chemicals in the process, then you need to be mindful while purchasing any hair-care product available in the market.
If you are suffering from dry and lustreless hair and nothing seems to be working, probably making the switch to natural shampoos would be beneficial. Most shampoos in the market come with chemicals that damage your hair over time as they strip off the natural oil from your scalp.
Well, it is easy to get confused while reading the ingredients list at the back of the label but that shouldn’t deter you from knowing what goes into your hair products. If your bottle carries complicated names, more often than not it stands for harmful chemicals. Let’s take a look at what needs to stay away from your hair care routine and why?
Parabens
Parabens, first commercialized in the 1950s, parabens are a group of synthetic compounds that are widely used as preservatives in health and personal care products. They have anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Parabens have been linked with skin irritation and in some rare cases reproductive issues and neurotoxicity. They are believed to disrupt hormone functions and have been found in low concentrations in tumours. However, fortunately, the only purpose of parabens is to ensure that your shampoo bottle lasts for decades which means you can easily do without it.
Sulfates
They are usually marked on the bottle as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium Laureth sulfate. Sulfates are used to create lather so they are not as common in conditioners as they are in shampoos. Since they are practically detergents used to create a lather, they can irritate your eyes and scalp. Not only is it harmful to your hair, but also the environment.In the long run, SLS will leave your hair damaged and dry. Sulfates have gentler, and less toxic alternatives. If you’re still wondering whether you should make the switch read our blog on why you should be using SLS free shampoos.
Silicones
Silicone is a mineral that is usually added in hair care products to make your hair look silky and smooth but over-time it creates a layer over your hair thereby preventing the moisture from entering. With continuous use of silicones, your hair loses its natural moisture and ends up dry and brittle. Dimethicone is a type of silicone commonly used in hair products.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Although Cocamidopropyl Betaine is derived from coconut oil, it is known to cause allergic reactions, skin discomfort, and eye irritation. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is a chemical compound that is used as an ingredient in quite a few personal care and household cleaning substances. Since this compound is derived from coconut, it is also found in many natural hair care products. If you are purchasing a product with a ‘natural’ tag, you should check the bottle for this compound.
Isopropyl Alcohol
It is a kind of alcohol that evaporates quickly, hence it has found a place in many conditioners and other cosmetics. It is a good solvent but dries the hair, hence it is better avoided. It is an extremely flammable substance and has the potential to cause respiratory problems, heart issues, damage to the nervous system, and irritation if you come in its contact. The good news is that the amount of isopropyl alcohol used in your hair care products is too little to make any impact, however, it is not something that should be used anyway.
All of the above toxic compounds and substances have less toxic and natural alternatives made from plant-based supplements. Make the switch and feel the difference!
