Most people use shampoo at least a few times a week. But do you know what’s actually in it? A list of shampoo ingredients from the website Good may give you something to think about when choosing your next one:
Surfactants — Surfactants are necessary for the lathering, cleaning, and degreasing effects of a shampoo. Conventional surfactants such as sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, cocamide DEA, and ammonium xylene sulfonate have the potential for harshness, stripping away fatty acids. Natural surfactants such as decyl glucoside, sucrose cocoate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, and sodium lauroamphoacetate may not foam like a conventional product, but your hair will still be just as clean.
Preservatives — The main function of preservatives is to ensure a long shelf life. None are truly benign. Conventional preservative such as iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazonlinone, and parabens tend to be stronger, with more allergenic and irritant potential. Natural preservatives such as potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and alcohol are milder.
Color — In basic shampoos, color is added for decorative purposes only. Conventional colorants are often added, but are not necessary for a shampoo to function at all. Most natural brands do not even use colorants at all!
Check out the full article to find out more.
As you can see it is important to think about what you are washing your body and hair with. Not all chemicals are created equal! Just when you think you are washing your body of sweat and dirt you might be putting harmful chemicals on you. Keep in mind taking a hot shower opens your pores allowing these toxins into your body easier!
To make sure you are washing your body and not adding nasty chemicals we suggest using an organic, SLS free shampoo. You can find these at your local Whole Foods or Google “sls free shampoo”. Happy showering!
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