Ingredients in shampoo & conditioner
I had the pleasure of being on WBTV’s QC Morning and was asked to cover the good and the bad in your shampoo and conditioner. The challenge of a quick 4 minute segment is to cover the depth of those ingredients (the link is below). But there is so much to consider and so little time. So I wanted to add this blog post to provide that additional information. First we need to dive quickly into how our government regulates the cosmetic industry.
Under U.S. law, FDA does not have the authority to require cosmetic manufacturers to submit their safety data to FDA, and the burden is on FDA to prove that a particular product or ingredient is harmful when used as intended. Which means until the consumers have enough claims to bring forth a lawsuit manufactures in the US or abroad have massive leeway. Currently the US only has 11 ingredients that are banned or heavily regulated in cosmetic products. Bithionol, chlorofluorocarbon propellants, chloroform, halogenated salicylanilides (di-, tri-, metabromsalan and tetrachlorosalicylanilide), Hexachlorophene. (HCP), mercury compounds, methylene chloride, Prohibited cattle materials, unscreens, vinyl chloride, zirconium-containing complexes. To compare this list to that of many of the European Countries who have over 1,300 ingredients that are banned. So the take away from this is that we have to be careful as consumers. So here is the list of those ingredients to avoid and those to be sure are included.
Shampoo ingredients to avoid
Cocomidalpropyl hydroysultaine
It strips hair and scalp of key oils needed for hair and scalp health. It is a synthetic detergent used also as a foam booster, thickener, and anti-static agent.
Sulfates
Sulfates cause your shampoo to foam, and more than 90% of hair care products contain them. Their potential to form carcinogens that can ultimately lead to kidney damage and hormone disruption are the main reason to avoid them. Additionally they cause the hair be more damaged after several washes. Not all are sulfates are horrible as cleaning is important to scalp health but these are the ones that you need to avoid Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Parabens
Parabens mainly act as a preservative to prolong shelf life. They can disrupt your natural hormone balance, cause skin irritation, affect reproductive health, and cause neurotoxicity. Be on the look out for words ending with “paraben”—for example, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and methylparaben.
Polyethylene Glycols
PEG is a thickening agent, often made from petroleum are known for stripping the hair of moisture and causing breakage. PEG has been classified as a developmental toxicant; this means it can damage or disrupt human development. It has also been linked to numerous types of cancer.
Triclosan
A preservative and antibacterial agent is called Triclosan. The ingredient shows signs of being an endocrine disruptor,
Formaldehyde
This dangerous preservative can be absorbed through your scalp as well as seep from the packaging and into the air over time. This additive can cause toxicity, affect or cause asthma, and has been linked to cancer. When checking the label on your product, look for quaternium-15.
Synthetic Fragrances and Colors
Not only are these components unnecessary, but they are also harmful to your skin and can cause several health issues. The word “fragrance” is a loophole manufacturers use to avoid listing chemicals and whatever else was used to create the fragrance. Synthetic colors are also a danger when found in your shampoo and conditioner. Color is derived from petroleum and coal-tar. These two things are known to cause a range of health issues. When checking the label, look for the terms FD&C or D&C combined with a number.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a form of silicone with two attached methyl groups that gives your hair a soft and smooth feel. However, this ingredient will only dry out your hair in the long run, cause build-up at your roots, and irritate or burn your scalp. The build-up on your scalp will block out moisture, stop the nutrient flow to your hair, and create an abundance of residue and dirt that can clog your pores.
Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl Palmitate is known to cause a list of skin issues, including peeling, scaling, itching, burning, and redness. This harmful ingredient has also been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and toxicity.
Phthalates
Phthalates make added fragrances last longer. They also act as lubricators in conditioners and gels and help the substance spread easily on your hair. carcinogenic in nature and cause various health problems such as nausea, problems in the reproductive system, and hormonal disorders. If your shampoo or conditioner contains added fragrance, then it is likely to contain Phthalates as well
Allergy alerts.
Acrylics or derivatives in ingredients. If you have a nut allergy or food sensitivities be sure to check those ingredients as well on the label.
Good ingredients to be on the look out
1. Amino Acid Proline is amazing for hair repair Can also be found as L-proline, D-proline, or DL-proline
2. Aloe - Calms an itchy scalp, deep cleans oily hair, Strengthens and repairs hair strands
3. Oils – Including baobab, avocado and argon oils are really good natural antioxidants for the hair as well.
Also not every shampoo or conditioner ingredient is important for every person. It’s always best to consult with your stylist to see what is best for you.
Labeling
I have listed the hit list for what to avoid and what to be sure to have in your shampoo and conditioner. But you also have to consider the location on the label to know the strength of those ingredients in your product. The ingredients must be declared in descending order of predominance as required by law. Not all ingredients need to be high on the list if they are potent.
The most important ingredient in my option is water. Water is not evil and is often used to dilute the product. But if that ingredient is in the top 5 you will most often go through it faster then a product where it is further down the list.
Here is the link for the WBTV Morning show https://qclife.wbtv.com/what-is-and-what-isnt-good-for-you-in-the-shampoo-and-conditioner-you-use/
