What's in my Shampoo?
The first 5 changes were pineapples, satin pillowcases, coconut oil, cold rinse and tee-shirt towel. (Previous Blogs). I was so pleased with those initial changes that I decided to take a look into what else I may have been doing wrong with hair and beauty. The result of my investigations scared me.
It is easy to believe that a company would only use completely safe ingredients because someone in authority somewhere will have done the safety checks for us. To a point, that maybe true. Remind yourself of these three things:-
most of the checking and previous testing has been done in a lab on animals
does that mean it is safe for humans in a real world situation?
most of the tests and experiments are not done over a lifetime of use
how do those tests translate to growing and changing human bodies?
most of the chemicals in our shampoo will also be found in conditioner, soap, cream, make-up, cleaning fluid etc etc etc.
how does the ‘safe’ amount of a chemical in my shampoo react to my skin and my body when it is in everything else I use?
I looked at the ingredients of the shampoo and conditioners we were using and googled each of them. You can do it yourself if you have the inclination to do the research but to save you time and to get you started I have summarised some of them below.
I would like to state the obvious here; ingredients are listed in composition order meaning that there is a higher percentage of the first ingredient listed and least of the last. This is the rule for everything from shampoos through to chocolate cake.
Also, I use the Clean Beauty app often when looking for a new product for something or someone. With this app you take a photo of the ingredients list on the product or on your computer screen and Clean Beauty will inform you if any of the ingredients have been highlighted as harmful or damaging in some way. It then gives you a brief overview of the product. I like that it gives me all of the information so that I can make a decision about it for myself.
SLS
AMMONIUM LAURYL SULPHATE
SODIUM LAURETH SULPHATE
SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE
In my uneducated opinion these are the worst of a pretty bad bunch. These sulphates deal with grease, remove oils etc from anything they touch which is great when you want to clean something, obviously. It can produce the foam that we really love to see when washing because foam means cleaning!
The problems are these….
-They don’t only strip grease, they remove moisture too which leaves you hair dry and brittle. Of course, it is very difficult to wash your hair without getting the shampoo on your scalp and the SLS can also leave your scalp itchy and irritated.
SLS is prevalent in EVERYTHING! By the time you have shampoo’d, conditioner-ed, showered, moisturised, washed up, wiped the surface down, used hand soap your skin has handled and absorbed SLS countless times.
PARABENS
BUTYLPARABEN
METHYLPARABEN
PROPYLPARABEN
ALKYL PARAHYDROXY BENZOATES
Research around parabens is sketchy and vague but they are known to mimic the hormone oestrogen and 99% of people show parabens in their urine! We do know that parabens are preservatives, put into cosmetic products and food to prevent bacterial growth. We also know that they are chemical compounds. A link to cancer has been reported but I don’t know how strong or tenuous that link is but I do know that we do not need to absorb any more chemicals.
FORMALDEHYDE
QUATERNIUM - 15
Formaldehyde itself is not often used in cosmetics as it is a known human carcinogen and has been banned from use in some countries. Other types of preservatives are used instead and some of those release formaldehyde over time. Again, any harmful links between these substances and us are not proven which, to me, does not guarantee safety either.
ALCOHOLS
Cetearyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol
Propanol
Alcohol is commonly used in many cosmetic products and the main problem is that alcohol can have a drying effect. However, if the name begins with a C or an S chances are they can help your hair retain moisture – just beware of the other alcohols.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE AND COLOUR
FRAGRANCE
PHTHALATES
FD &C - number
D&C - number
The problem with ‘fragrances’ and colours is that they are almost always synthetic or chemically derived unless specifically stated otherwise.
If it sounds like a substance from a science lab it probably is. If it is naturally derived it will say so (often in brackets) because there would be no benefit in hiding it.
SILICONES/DIMETHICONE
This silicone is a great agent in hair products because it coats your hair and makes it look shiny and silky smooth. What it is actually doing is coating it in a thin layer of plastic which weighs the hair down, collects dirt and residue and stops moisture and other nutrients/hair treatments from penetrating the hair shaft.
TRICLOSAN
This agent has been banned from soap in many countries but can still be used in many other cosmetics and other products (like j cloths!). Look out for it on your labels, it can cause loads of health problems.
This list is a basic list, it is not at all exhaustive, so please do your own independent research remembering that manufacturers will say anything to sell their products. Remember also that what is illegal in Europe maybe ok in other countries so if you are buying online beware of where it is coming from.
Everything you put ONTO your skin – good and bad - soaks INTO you.