For me, one of the most challenging things about going organic has been finding a hair shampoo that I liked. I will be honest, I have come to expect a certain about of lather in my shampoo and for a while, the fact that most organic shampoos do not lather like their conventional counterparts really stood in my way. Like many people, I had it in my head that a good lather meant that my hair was getting clean.
It wasn’t until I understood just how harsh and damaging the ingredients that cause that lather were for me that I began to change my mind. It is the sulfates in shampoo that cause it to lather so nicely. Unfortunately, sulfates are so harsh that they are also used when making engine degreaser. Another common use of sulfates is in research as a skin irritant. If you were trying to prove that your product was great at soothing, calming and healing skin, chances are you would use sulfates to first irritate the skin.
Most people are surprised to learn that despite how harsh these chemicals are to your skin, they are still commonly used – even in baby shampoos! They are linked to serious eye issues and may also lead to other health concerns. One of the first things to remember when looking for a good shampoo is that you want to choose one that is sulfate free. A good one that I like is by Modern Organic Products.
It is also a good idea to stay away from parabens in beauty products. They are commonly used to preserve products and why they do this, they have also been linked to breast cancer. Many experts believe that parabens can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. It is especially important to stay away from parabens when you are pregnant or nursing, because they may cause sexual problems later in life for your child.
