Many of us use the same shampoo repeatedly: We fall into the rut of habit and either out of in-expense, out of comfort with a product or both; we stick with the same shampoo.
Rarely do we waver from the same product, and we give little thought as to what the shampoo’s ingredients are really doing to our hair over the course of time. Whilst using a good, natural shampoo repeatedly is okay, using one full of chemicals will only damage your beautiful tresses!
Most of us don’t read the ingredient list on our shampoo bottles.
We simply assume that the shampoo companies know what they are doing and that surely they wouldn’t put harmful chemicals in our products. That’s where you are very wrong. The long list of tongue-twisting ingredients on your shampoo bottle usually include ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and even Formaldehyde, which is found in non-natural nail polishes and is a known carcinogen!
Below we will examine five common ingredients in shampoo that you really should be avoiding.
1. Cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA)
This is one ingredient you want to check for in all your beauty products as it may potentially cause cancer, and has even been outlawed in the State of California for this reason!
Cocamide DEA is a chemically modified form of coconut oil (why mess with a good thing!) and is used as a thickener as well as a foaming agent in a variety of beauty and skincare products.
2. Triethanolamine
Triethanolamine is meant to increase the foaming capacity of the shampoo, which is all well…I mean, we all love the way the foamy bubbles make our scalp feel clean right?
What you may not know, however, is that it is incredibly harsh on the skin and scalp, and will leave your hair brittle and dried out. You don’t want your hair to lack a beautiful radiance and shine, right!
Long-term exposure to Triethanolamine is not recommended.
The main problem with this ingredient is that it is so common in cosmetics today, with up to 40 percent of products containing the chemical, meaning long-term exposure may still be an issue.
3. Sulfates
Sulfates are responsible for that foaminess created by your shampoo when you massage it into your scalp. Many people admit they like the foaminess as it feels like they are getting a deeper clean, but in actual fact sulfates strip your hair of natural oils and will result in dryness and split ends if used long term. Your shampoo also touches your skin when you rinse it out and this ingredient can be irritating to sensitive skin.
4. Polyethelyne Glycol
Polyethelyne Glycol is a solvent and wetting agent and it is even an active ingredient in antifreeze! The ingredient will dry out the scalp and skin. It is also carcinogenic.
5. Formaldehyde
Used for preserving shampoo, Formaldehyde is a known allergen for some and a skin irritant. If you have a sensitive skin this is one ingredient you want to stay far away from!
Hopefully, this article will help you to be more aware of what is in your harmless looking cosmetic products!
Looking for a natural alternative that won’t damage your hair or irritate your scalp, Nature’s Aid All-Natural Shampoo is finally here! Click here for a full list of product details and where you can find buy a bottle today.
