Skip to main content

Going Beyond Sulfate Free Shampoo

Sulfates are your hair’s enemy. If you were a superhero, sulfates would be your arch nemesis dressed in a foreboding costume and seeking to inflict harm on you. Sadly, sulfates have surly sidekicks which also lurk in the shadows and try to harm you and your hair.

wonder woman uses organic shampoo


The good news is that you have the superpower to eradicate evil sulfates (and other harmful chemicals!) from your hair’s life simply by educating yourself on the best possible organic shampoos to use for your particular hair type.

In this post you'll find some of the best tips for finding out exactly how to use your superpowers to have the best possible hair with the simplest changes to your beauty regimen.


All Shampoos are Not Equal

Some people assume that buying an expensive shampoo will guarantee that their hair will be healthy. Unfortunately, just a hefty price tag is not a sure-fire way to ensure that your shampoo is the best.

Even among sulfate free shampoos there is a large range of ingredients which can be helpful or harmful to your hair. Just cutting out sulfates may not be enough. Instead you’ll want to be a careful consumer who reads labels and makes shampoo decisions in an intelligent way.

This not only makes sure that your hair looks healthy, but that your shampoo is not harming your physical health in any way.

What Lurks in Traditional Shampoo

We’ve all heard about the recent trend toward sulfate free shampoo, and this is a good start. Sulfates are surfactant detergents which create the bubbles and lather which is in traditional shampoo.

However, it is also included in laundry detergents and other unseemly cleaning products which you would never think of using on your hair. Simply removing anything with the word sulfate from your shampoo may not be enough.

Other ingredients in traditional shampoo may be the same as those found in antifreeze or other dangerous preservatives. Even seemingly harmless ingredients, such as coconut oil, can be chemically processed in a way that can produce a carcinogenic (cancer causing) effect.

A good rule is to look for organic products that have the fewest number of ingredients that you cannot pronounce.


What to Expect from Organic Shampoo



freshly wahsed hair
Because the sulfates which create lather are removed from organic shampoo, using it may take a bit of getting used to. For instance, you may need to spend a bit more effort massaging your new organic shampoo into your hair and scalp to make sure it is cleaning properly.

Also, because your traditional shampoo may have been stripping your hair of its natural oils (which are good for your hair!) you may find that it feels a bit dry or oily after the first several washings, or you may experience fly-aways or static.

However, give it a chance before throwing away your new organic shampoo. A couple of weeks of using your new product should be enough to re-train your scalp to produce its own natural oils in the proper amounts, and use a natural conditioner to provide the optimum amount of moisture for your hair.

While some people may be concerned that organic shampoo comes with a higher price tag, this should eventually balance out for you. Ultimately you may find that you have to use less shampoo and even begin shampooing less frequently because your body will begin getting accustomed to using your shampoo more efficiently.

This is great news for your budget as your bottles of organic shampoo may be more expensive than traditional, but you’ll likely find yourself buying it less often. One other side benefit of organic shampoo is the peace of mind you can have that you are taking good care of our earth.

In addition to saving your hair, you’ll also keep from washing all of those harmful chemicals down the drain and into the water supply. This is good not only for you, but for the whole community you live in and for the environment.


Compare and Shop the Easy Way

The good news about all of this information is that you no longer have to stand in the aisle at the drug store comparing all of the ingredients with mile-long names which are in your beauty products. Instead, you can do your research online and have your products delivered to your door in order to avoid the confusion and hassle.

Finding the best organic shampoo for you could never be easier! Plus, buying online allows you to comparison shop and get the lowest price on whatever shampoo you ultimately choose.

So if you’re thinking of going sulfate-free then you’re on the right track, but for the best possible hair you’ll want to exercise your superpowers and head down the path toward completely organic shampoo!

Author Bio
My name is Marcy and I am a stay-at-home mom who isn't "letting herself go." Fashion and beauty are very important for me and for my little girls. By blogging about related topics, I hope to learn more about the latest trends and share everything I learn with the world.

Image Credits:
"Wonder Woman..." by Filipão 28 via Flickr "Washing hair..." by W2 Beard & Shorty via Flickr

Comments

Popular Posts

The ache of acne (pimples)

Acne is often the bane of a pretty face. It is painful more emotionally than physically, for the scar that it leaves behind can last for a lifetime, adding to one’s miserable look & feeling. No doubt many expensive skin care clinics have mushroomed in ever nook & corner, offering to clear all the scars & blemishes on the face, but they are very expensive & charge exorbitant price for each sitting; not everyone can afford them. So why not try out this simple skin care regimen to minimize the damage caused by acne & as far as possible prevent its eruption.

Natural remedies for dark circles around your eyes

Dark circles around your eyes. How unsightly they look and even your best dress and layers of make-up sometimes does not quite succeed in concealing them! Blame it on your genes or your lifestyle, but, you cannot deny the fact that these are a blot on your beauty . And they become more prominent as you age. Let’s just debunk some of the myths as well as unearth some of the facts about the causes of these ‘ panda eyes ’.   Dark circles under eyes usually are temporary and not a medical concern. You may be surprised to learn that fatigue usually isn't the cause of dark circles. Instead, the most common cause is nasal congestion. When your nose is congested, veins that usually drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker. 

Home remedies for common cold

Common cold is a very common malady which affects people during monsoons. (Also see the post Beauty and body care in monsoon for a monsoon beauty regimen.) It can be caused by any one of more than 200 viruses. Normally it is confined to the nose and throat although the virus can infect the larynx and lungs. It is said that there is no particular cure for colds, they are naturally relieved within a week. Treatment is just an attempt to relieve its symptoms such as headache, stuffy nose, sore-throat and congestion. Paracetamol tablets are generally taken to get relief from these symptoms.

Beating stress – some tips

It is very difficult to come across a happy, contented face in a crowd these days. Stress has become a way of life with people these days. Sure, we all need to be a little tense once in a blue moon. After all it acts as a positive force and helps us get things done. But when tension becomes a habit with us and we are unable to cope up with it, we say we are undergoing stress. Some people are simply born more tense than others. Children of over-anxious parents generally grow up to be more anxious than the others.

For a good night's sleep

 Everyone of us, at one time or the other has been pestered by sleep problems. Sleeplessness could be transient and short-term or chronic. When it becomes a chronic problem it takes the form of insomnia and requires special attention. The first noticeable signs of poor sleeping habits are dark circles under the eyes pale skin, hair loss. Getting enough sleep is a must. Without proper sleep, your mind does not work as clearly and efficiently. You feel drained physically and mentally. Exactly how much you need to sleep depends on your own individual internal system. While some can do with 4-5 hours; most of us need 7 to 9 hours of sleep. But instead of reaching for a pill or a glass of wine, it’s wise to try out these time-honoured remedies and lifestyle changes.