Toxic Shampoo Ingredients to Avoid

Although it may only take you a minute or two to wash your hair, doing it multiple times a week over your entire life adds up quickly! That is why you want to be sure that you aren’t absorbing tons of toxins.

Many of the chemicals in products haven’t been tested, and certainly haven’t been tested in conjunction with each other. So it is important to be aware of chemical ingredients and the harmful effects so that you can shop to avoid them.

Dioxane is found in shampoo and many other personal care products. Some baby shampoos even contain this toxin! This chemical is harmful to the kidneys, liver, brain and central nervous system.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a big part of what makes the shampoo lather. This ingredient is also used to clean car engines! This chemical in some shampoo formulas can alter your skin’s structure allowing the chemicals to penetrate deeper which makes it easier for the chemicals to get into your bloodstream.

Propylene Glycol is an active ingredient that is also found in antifreeze, tire sealants, paints, adhesives, enamels and engine coolants. This is a strong skin irritant that can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

You’ve probably heard of Parabens. It’s been a buzz word in beauty products for a while. There are many different types of parabens (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben etc.) and they act much like estrogen which can cause metabolic, developmental and hormonal disruption.  

Ammonium Chloride is an eye irritant that can be harmful when inhaled.

Formaldehyde is suspected to be a human carcinogen that can cause respiratory problems, headaches and DNA damage in some individuals.

Finding an Alternative

Although many products will claim to be “natural” or “organic” it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are. A product that is labelled as natural, may include one or two natural ingredients, but still contain many chemicals. The only way to truly know is to read the label carefully.

Opt for plant-based and petroleum-free products. These products don’t lather easily, but with practice, you will get the hang of it! Although these products can be more expensive and have a shorter shelf life, but it is worth it to avoid the chemicals.