How to Read the Ingredients List for Natural Shampoo
You may want to use a natural shampoo for many reasons. Many people use it because they want to live a green lifestyle. Others think that natural ingredients make their hair healthier. Natural shampoo products are often easier on dyed hair. You might also want to use natural shampoos because they can also serve as soothing body washes.
But the word natural can be deceptive. Sometimes it really does just mean natural ingredients. Natural ingredients are just about anything derived from nature. The shampoo could contain a few natural ingredients and lots of unnatural ones. Generally a few preservatives and a little dye can be okay. Sensitive skin though can have a bit more trouble when it comes to colors and fragrances. The seriously problematic ingredients though tend to undo the benefits of natural ingredients.
Always watch for laureth- or lauryl sulfate. This makes shampoo foam. However, it also will strip your hair. The result is hair that becomes brittle and weak over time. Also, it can fade color. Lightened, dull hair results from excessive lauryl sulfate use. When you read ingredients avoid anything with the words lauryl or laureth.
Always also look out for sulfides and sulfur. These are quite common in dandruff shampoos. You could certainly say that sulfur is natural. But in some cases it can actually cause dandruff. Should you decide to use a sulfur based shampoo, be careful of your eyes. You might also end up with hair that is drier than usual.
Truly natural shampoos have a few common characteristics:
* They do not have a lot of ingredients - Most shampoos are made of largely artificial ingredients. Most natural shampoos will just have a base of soap and a few other ingredients.
* You get little foam with natural shampoo - This is because foam is caused by unnatural agents.
* They often contain ingredients you would look for in your kitchen - You will likely see herbs, baking soda and even vinegar. In fact a number of people just use vinegar and baking soda to wash their hair.
If you have perfect hair and love your shampoo, then stick with it! However, if you are looking for a new natural shampoo, make sure that you are getting the real deal. These secret ingredients can cause frizziness, dry hair, breakage and serious damage. Always be sure that your natural shampoo is the real deal before you start washing your hair.
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Tags: body wash, colored hair, dandruff shampoo, dyed hair, green lifestyle, green shampoo, laureth sulfate, lauryl sulfate, natural shampoo, organic shampoo, sulfur