Henry JohnsonTaking care of your body is one of the essential components of self-care. If you’re still using generic cleansing products in your shower, you might not be taking care of your body as well as you think you are. This is especially true of your hair, as it’s very sensitive to several ingredients. If you want to take care of your hair as best as you can, watch out for these things to avoid in your shampoo and conditioner.
Parabens
This is a chemical being removed from a lot of shampoos and conditioners. You might have already heard something about parabens. Parabens are a type of xenoestrogen, similar to the hormone found in our bodies. However, these outside hormones don’t react well with our internal ones. Parabens can cause hormone imbalance, and many people believe they even increase the risk of cancer. Stay far away from them whenever you can.
Sulfates
Another thing to avoid in your shampoo and conditioner, sulfates are also being removed from most healthy hair products. Sulfates are classified as a chemical detergent, which is great for removing dirt and grime, but not so great for your sensitive hair and scalp. Sulfates can be very harsh and rough on your head, stripping your hair of its natural moisture.
Triclosan
Like parabens, triclosan is a chemical thought to be an endocrine disrupter, meaning it also messes with your hormonal balance. Triclosan is sometimes introduced into hair care products as a preservative, but there are much better and safer ways to preserve these products than with triclosan.
Polyethylene Glycol
Polyethylene glycol is a type of alcohol put into hair care products. Chemicals like these cause your scalp to dry out quickly and reduce overall moisture on your head. Polyethylene glycol could be linked to certain developmental problems and may even be contaminated with dioxane, a well-known cancer-causing substance.
The good news is that there are many hair care products nowadays that don’t include any of these harmful chemicals. If you care about your hair and scalp and want to look your best, avoid these problematic substances in your shampoos and conditioners.
