Choosing a new organic shampoo or conditioner can be a hairy experience. Years ago, I paid nine dollars for a bottle of so-called organic shampoo, triple the amount I paid for my previous conventional brand. It turned out, the product actually contained some organic ingredients, along with chemicals and artificial preservatives. Keep in mind the personal care industry does not have strict regulations on products like the organic food industry does.
Anything we put on our scalp is absorbed directly through the skin on our head where there is a rich source of blood supply. This includes chemicals which could carry carcinogens to other parts of the body. The chemicals in conventional shampoos and conditioners can also damage and dry out the hair.
Organic products contain high levels of pure essential oils and herbal extracts which nourish the scalp and help restore damaged hair. Look for ingredients such as jojoba oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, minerals and pure essential oils, which serve as natural preservatives in place of artificial ones.
If you are going to pay extra for natural, earth-friendly shampoos and conditioners than you want to choose one that is 100 percent organic. Follow these tips to track down the ideal suds.
- There are a lot of 100 percent organic shampoos and conditioners on the market, so do some research on the company and the ingredients.
- Purchase shampoos and conditioners from natural food stores, where buyers meet certain store standards. Also, ask the stores' employees for recommendations.
- If you look at the label and some of the ingredients sound like something from a sci-fi movie, than they are probably man- not nature-made.
Some of the most common chemicals in shampoos and conditioners are: triethanolamine, monothanolamine, methylchloroisothiazolinone, lauramide DEA, phthalate, disodium EDTA, parabens-ethyl, methyl, propyl, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium laurel sulfate, cyclopentasiloxane and cocamide DEA or MEA.
Chemicals are used in shampoos and conditioners because they lengthen product shelf life, create more foam (which gives a false sense of cleanliness), cost less than natural ingredients, help separate water from oil and can improve the appearance of the product. These chemicals can not only be damaging to you hair and scalp, but could contribute to a number of serious health conditions.
A helpful hint.To help give your hair strength and enhance shine, create a completely organic leave-in hair conditioner.
1 avocado1-2 tablespoons olive oil (depending on hair length and volume) 4 ounces plain organic yogurt1 egg white
Mix ingredients and massage into your scalp. Once the mixture is applied, wrap a towel around your head and leave the ingredients on for one hour. Make sure you rinse with your favorite organic shampoo.
If you don’t want to mess with mixing ingredients, organic mayonnaise is a great, already mixed, leave-in moisturizer. Leave the mayonnaise in your hair for 30 minutes, then rinse.
