Ingredients to avoid when choosing a Shampoo or Conditioner

If you want the best for your hair then I strongly recommend that you learn to identify the ingredients that can cause severe damage to your hair and scalp. These are just a few of the ones you definitely should not have in your product of choice.

Sulfates – Sulfates strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils, moisturisers, and colour, leaving dryness, flaking, and irritation behind. The next time you shop, look on the label for Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)—these are the main sulfates to avoid.

Parabens – Parabens are another extremely popular and harmful additive. Also known as xenoestrogens, parabens can disrupt your natural hormone balance and cause skin irritation.
Unfortunately, you won’t see an ingredients list that has the word “parabens” on it. Instead, you’ll need to look out for words ending with “paraben”—for example, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and methylparaben.

Polyethylene Glycols – Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a thickening agent, often made from petroleum and a list of by-products known for stripping the hair of moisture and causing breakage.

Triclosan – This antibacterial agent has been banned from being used in antibacterial soaps but is still used in shampoos and conditioners and has been linked to some health issues.

Formaldehyde – A well-known carcinogen found in many shampoos and conditioners. This dangerous preservative can be absorbed through your scalp as well as seep from the packaging and into the air over time.
When checking the label on your product, look for quaternium-15.

Synthetic Fragrances – These can be 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

Dimethicone – This 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, but will 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.

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