What Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo?

When you pick up a bottle of shampoo and look at the long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients, it is pretty likely that you may have never heard of many of the ingredients or understand their purpose in the formula. 

But did you know that some of these ingredients, especially the harsh chemicals, can harm your scalp and hair? This is why we have listed down the harmful ingredients in shampoo that you should avoid at all costs if you want healthy, shiny hair.  

What Ingredients Should You Avoid in Shampoo?

These are some of those chemicals to avoid in hair products, whether it’s your shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, or serum.  

Sulfates

These are the chemical detergents used in shampoo to clear the dirt and impurities from your hair and create that lather effect when you massage it. However, the drawback of these is that they are very strong and can easily strip away essential oil from your scalp, leaving it dry and rough.

Some other symptoms that you may experience from continuous use of a sulfate shampoo are:

• Skin irritation
• Inflammation
• Enhanced skin sensitivity
• Worsening of symptoms associated with eczema, rosacea, and contact dermatitis. 

This chemical can be found in more than 90% of hair products. Some of the most common types of sulfates used in shampoos are 

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Sodium trideceth sulfate

Sulfates not only harm your hair but can also have a negative effect on the ecosystem once they are drained down and eventually end up in oceans and rivers. If you don’t want that rough, frizzy, fragile hair, then try looking for sulfate-free shampoo. 

Parabens

Parabens can be found in shampoo and other hair products, and they are usually added to increase the product’s shelf life. While looking at the shampoo bottle, you won’t find the name paraben on its ingredients; instead, you will find other common names for it, such as:

• Isopropylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Propylparaben

These preservatives may have some anti-bacterial properties, but they can cause very harmful effects on your body as they can be easily absorbed through the skin into body tissues and lead to

• Hormonal imbalance
• Increased risk of breast cancer
• Cause skin irritation
• Affect reproductive health

These effects on your body are alarming enough to make you understand that the next time you buy a shampoo, choose a paraben-free shampoo. 

Synthetic Fragrances

Fragrances, also labeled as parfum, on shampoo bottles, are added to make your hair smell good and fresh. These may help you smell like you have just jumped out of a field of lavender or lend you the soothing scent of a tropical breeze.

But the reality is all these scents and fragrances can actually cause more harm to your hair than you think. Because most manufacturers hide the list of chemicals used to generate a specific fragrance and just mention it as a fragrance on the bottle. 

So you never know what chemicals are added into it and how they may affect your hair and scalp. 

These chemicals can also lead to issues like skin irritation, hair loss, infertility, and cancer, so it is best to choose a fragrance-free shampoo. 

Phthalates

These are the chemicals and preservatives that are used to dissolve other ingredients in the shampoo and help the product last longer. These can be very harmful to your 

• Reproductive system
• Kidneys
• Thyroid
• Immune system

According to some research, these are also linked to early deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. This chemical is easily absorbed into the human body and affects anything it wants, which makes it dangerous to use. 

This is why it is also banned in some countries around the world. It can cause reproductive issues not only in humans but also in animals when they are drained down into the river and consumed by animals. So next time, read the label carefully and go for phthalate-free shampoo. 

Artificial Dyes

Who doesn’t like colorful things? We all do, but sometimes these colors can be harmful to you, especially if they are added into your shampoo and skincare products. 

Artificial dyes are added to products just to make them look more appealing. But these synthetic colors are not safe for your hair. Mostly these are labeled as FD&C or D&C, name of the color, and number. 

These chemicals can make your scalp and hair dry and lead to itching and irritated skin. So try going for a dye-free shampoo because nobody’s gonna know which color shampoo you used. 

Polyethylene Glycols

Polyethylene glycols, also known as PEGs, are common thickening agents used in shampoos. These are formulated from petroleum and other chemical byproducts and have the ability to strip away natural oil from your hair leading to hair dryness, damage, and breakage. 

These chemicals are not only harmful to your hair but also to your health, they can disrupt human development, especially during early childhood and pregnancy. So next time you buy a baby shampoo or your own shampoo go for PEG-free alternatives to avoid any risk and complications. 

Triclosan

This preservative is a known endocrine disruptor and very harmful to human health, so it is banned from being used in soaps. Until 2016 it was widely used in anti-bacterial soaps, but after discovering its consequences the FDA banned it.

Continuous use of this chemical can lead to issues like

• Weaken immune system
• Infertility
• Fetal harm
• Excessive weight loss or gain
• Depression
• Cancer 

It may have some antibacterial properties that help in reduction of bacterial contamination. Yet, it can be very dangerous for the environment and you, as the skin can absorb it easily. 

Formaldehyde

This chemical usually goes by the names Diazolidinylurea, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinylurea, and Quaternium-15 on the label. It can be found in many shampoos, but the next time you see a shampoo with Formaldehyde put it back on the shelf.

It is a known human carcinogen, which means this preservative can be easily absorbed through your scalp and cause toxicity, asthma, and cancer. It also seeps through the packaging into the air over time, causing harmful effects on the ecosystem. 

Dimethicone

This is a type of silicone that is used in shampoos to give your hair a smooth and silky texture after every wash. It forms a thin coating on your hair strands to control the frizz. 

Even though dimethicone may sound like something you would want in a shampoo, the effects of continuous use of this chemical will help you understand why you should avoid it.

The silicone coating that is formed by this chemical can build up on your scalp, clog the pores and prevent essential nutrients from penetrating into the scalp. This can make your hair are scalp become 

• Dry
• Itchy
• Irritated
• Cause burning sensation
• Lead to hair loss and damage

The buildup of dimethicone on the scalp can also make your scalp prone to developing dandruff and exacerbate scalp issues if you are already experiencing any, such as seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis.

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl palmitate is a derivative created when retinol is mixed with palmitic acid. It has age-defying properties and can promote skin cell turnover. This can be very beneficial for improving scalp health. 

However, despite its benefits, some serious health concerns are associated with it. It has been linked to causing toxicity, reproductive issues, and cancer. It can lead to common skin issues like 

• Peeling
• Scaling
• Itching
• Redness
• Irritation
• Dryness 

It can also make your skin more sensitive to UV rays and increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.  

Sodium Chloride

Sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, is often added to shampoos to make the products thicker. But it can cause skin dryness, irritation, and even hair loss, which is why it is best to avoid sodium chloride in your shampoo. 

Diethanolamine (DEA)

Diethanolamine is next on the list of what chemicals to avoid in shampoo. It is used as a foaming agent or emulsifier in hair products. Even though it can create that creamy lathery foam when you shampoo, it can still cause some serious health issues, which is why it is best to avoid it.

While the effects of this chemical on humans are still under study, it has shown signs of cancer development and negative effects on brain development in animals. 

Hexachlorophene

It is a synthetic antibacterial agent that has been used widely in shampoo, soap, and other skincare products to kill bacteria. However, over time, researchers have found that continuous use of this chemical for a long time can cause skin irritation, neurotoxicity, weakness, dizziness, and damage to the nervous system. 

Alcohols 

Alcohols are used in shampoo to help dissolve other ingredients properly. Some alcohols have a lower molecular weight, while others, like isopropyl alcohol or propanol, can cause damage to your hair. 

These chemicals strip away natural oils from your scalp and hair, making them look dry, rough, and frizzy.

Cancer-Causing Ingredients in Shampoo

Most of the ingredients we have listed above should be avoided due to the health risks they cause. But cancer is something serious, and many ingredients can lead to or develop it. 

Some of the most common ones that you should avoid not only in your shampoo but other skincare products are:

• Parabens
• Formaldehyde
• Quaternium-15
• Diazolidinyl Urea
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Coal Tar
• Diethanolamine

If you want to avoid the increased risk of cancer, then never use a shampoo that contains any of these ingredients. 

Is My Shampoo Safe?

The best way to determine whether your shampoo is safe or not is by taking a look at the ingredients. If it is free from the chemicals listed above, then it’s perfectly safe. 

Now that we know all the ingredients that you should avoid, here are a few ingredients and chemicals that are used in shampoos but are safe for your use:

• Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
• Sodium cocoyl glycinate
• Disodium cocoamphodiacetate 

If you are searching for a shampoo that is free from the harsh chemicals mentioned above and will not irritate your skin or harm your scalp, then try the Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo and Body Wash. 

Happy Cappy shampoos are fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalates-free, dye-free, and dimethicone-free. Our daily shampoo is infused with natural ingredients like licorice root extract, oatmeal extract, apple fruit extract, and aloe vera extract to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and hair without irritating it or stripping away natural oils from the hair. 

This shampoo can also be used as a body wash and face wash. It is specially formulated while keeping in mind the sensitive skin of babies who are eczema-prone.

It not only soothes itchy, irritated, eczema prone skin, but can also be used regularly as a body wash or shampoo. 

So the key to maintaining healthy hair and scalp is investing in a shampoo that is formulated with safe chemicals.

Conclusion

The top chemicals in shampoo to avoid are fragrances, dyes, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dimethicone, and formaldehyde. Some other ingredients that should be avoided are polyethylene glycols, alcohols, retinyl palmitate, hexachlorophene, and triclosan. 

You should avoid all of these chemicals in your shampoo because of the health risks they pose. Most of them can lead to common skin issues like irritation, dry skin, and redness. They can also cause serious health issues like cancer, infertility, hormonal imbalance, toxicity, and delayed brain development. 

So precautions are better than cures. It’s better to avoid these chemicals in the first place than to deal with serious health issues and treat them. 

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