Natural Shampoo 101
There are many reasons why you might use natural shampoo. Many people use it because they like living a green lifestyle. Others find that natural ingredients lead to healthier hair. Others still have found that natural shampoo is easier on dyed hair. Finally, you might like natural shampoos because they frequently double as soothing body washes.
Of course some companies use the word natural in a deceptive way. Sometimes it simply indicates the presence of natural ingredients. Natural ingredients can mean nearly anything that has been derived from nature. As a result the shampoo might contain some natural ingredients and some unnatural ones. In general just a few preservatives and small amount of dye can be okay. Though if you have sensitive skin you might have a bit more trouble with artificial colors and fragrances. Serious problem ingredients often undo the benefits of natural ingredients.
One of the most important ingredients to look for is laureth- or lauryl sulfate. This is what creates shampoo foam. However, it also will strip your hair. The result is brittle and weak locks. Also, it will destroy color treatments. Lightened and dulled hair is the result of excessive lauryl sulfate use. You should avoid anything with the words lauryl or laureth in the name.
Also, you should keep an eye out for sulfur and sulfides. Dandruff shampoos often contain them. Technically, you could argue that sulfur is actually a natural ingredient. But it can actually exacerbate some types of skin conditions and cause dandruff. If you use a sulfur based shampoo, keep it out of your eyes. You might also get resulting hair acai berry purchase that is drier than you like.
Natural shampoos share a few common characteristics.
* They do not have many ingredients - Most of the ingredients in shampoos are artificial. Natural shampoos tend to have just a soap base and a few other ingredients.
* You do not get much foam with natural shampoos - This is because most foam is caused by natural agents.
* They may contain ingredients that you would see in your kitchen - You might see items like apple cider vinegar, herbs and even baking soda. In fact a number of people just use vinegar and baking soda to wash their hair.
If your hair is perfect and you love your shampoo, stick with it. If you are on the prowl for a new natural shampoo, then be sure you are getting the real deal. The secret ingredients can cause some serious damage to your hair. Make sure that your natural shampoo is the real thing before you start shampooing.
Tags: body wash, colored hair, dandruff shampoo, dyed hair, green lifestyle, green shampoo, laureth sulfate, lauryl sulfate, natural shampoo, organic shampoo, sulfur