How carefully do you look at the back of a shampoo bottle? Maybe a promoted brand bribes you? Why is it becoming more and more difficult every year to choose a quality cleanser for yourself? And what about children's cosmetics? Many similar questions arise today in a modern woman. To answer them, you need to pay attention not only to the composition of shampoos, but also to many other factors. For example: how to choose the right shampoo or who to listen to when choosing it, etc.
The composition of the shampoo
It’s no secret that in order for our shampoo to foam well, have a pleasant smell and not deteriorate in a week, special substances are added to it: surfactants, preservatives, fragrances, etc. Most of them, unfortunately, negatively affect the scalp itself hair. Although there are, of course, natural
hair shampoos. Reviews about them are as diverse as about brands familiar to us.
Recently, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is considered the most dangerous, since recently the effects of its effect on the health of hair and scalp have become known. Moreover, it is contained in more than 90% of shampoos that fill the shelves of our stores and supermarkets, and its concentration can reach 25% of the total.
Lauryl sulfate sodium belongs to the category of surface-active substances (surfactants), which are used in almost all household and industrial cleaning chemicals (washing powders, detergents for washing dishes, floors, cars, steam locomotives, etc.) due to their ability to create a large amount of foam. In addition to SLS, components such as diethanolamine (DEA), parabens, cocamide MEA, cocamidopryl, Lauramine oxide, etc. can be present in the shampoo. All these substances also negatively affect the scalp and hair. Particularly brightly and quickly these effects are manifested on sensitive and prone to allergic skin reactions.
What is the danger of sodium lauryl sulfate
First of all, sulfates act on the skin as very strong irritants, as a result of which an allergic reaction in any form can develop, and not only on a certain shampoo. For some, the consequences appear earlier, for others - later. It all depends on the sensitivity of the skin and the general immunity of the body.
In addition, sodium lauryl sulfate overdries the scalp, gradually affects the cells of the epidermis. Over time, the work of the sebaceous glands is disrupted: hair is becoming increasingly dirty and oily. You have to wash your hair every day, which is not recommended by dermatologists.
Especially negative effect of SLS affects the delicate skin of children. Therefore, be sure to choose a sulfate-free baby shampoo!
Unattractive appearance (oily, thin and dull hair) is not the only problem that sodium lauryl sulfate can provoke. It penetrates deep into the scalp, causing various diseases, which can be much more difficult to get rid of.
Why SLS is so widely used
Despite such unpleasant and ultimately dangerous consequences of using lauryl sulfate, it has been used for more than 50 years to produce most shampoos, shower gels,
liquid soaps and even toothpastes. Why is its use still not banned? Because:
- it gives a plentiful foam, and without it it is almost impossible to wash hair well;
- it's cheap.
No one except you will care about your health, so read the labels carefully.
Is it worth trusting reviews
Some believe that sulfate-free shampoo, which includes not only SLS, is not able to provide the necessary purity to the hair. This opinion came from the fact that the scalp, like hair, after a long exposure to sulfates, is not able to immediately switch to softer and lighter surfactants. She needs time to adapt. Moreover, with age, the adaptation process is slower: for girls and boys under 20 it will be enough to wash their hair with a new sulfate-free shampoo only 2-3 times so that the hair becomes shiny and silky. And after 40-45 years, this process can drag on for several weeks. But this does not mean that shampoo does a poor job!
Therefore, choosing a sulfate-free shampoo, reviews should be taken very selectively. It is worth listening only to detailed and reasonable conclusions.
Alternative lauryl sulfate
Modern sulfate-free hair shampoos contain all the ingredients necessary for a clean hair, but not as aggressive or toxic. An alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate in this case is non-ionic surfactants, which are produced by processing glucose and fatty alcohols of natural oils (coconut or palm). It can be lauryl glucoside or decyl glucoside.
The best sulfate-free shampoo. List of foreign manufacturers
Now there is a fairly large selection of natural shampoos - from world famous cosmetic corporations to unknown start-up companies. Many manufacturers, pointing to the front side of the bottle for the absence of sulfates and parabens, simply replace them with other substances that are no less dangerous. Finding environmentally friendly products from foreign brands in Russian stores can be difficult. But how to buy sulfate-free shampoo? List of the most popular and trusted brands that can be found or ordered with delivery to Russian cities:
- Aubrey Organics (Aubrey Organics). The hair care products of this American company have been awarded international quality certificates (USDA, NPA, BDIH) and many awards. Aubrey Organics produces only natural hair shampoos. Customer reviews suggest that this company’s products are suitable even for people with sensitive skin.
- Logona. Shampoos of this German company have not only cosmetic, but also therapeutic effect. Properly selected shampoo without lauryl sodium sulfate and other petrochemicals from Logona will help to cure dandruff, normalize the sebaceous glands, etc.
- Avalon is another American cosmetic concern that has earned the trust and respect of not only customers, but also dermatologists from around the world. A series of children's cosmetics is also popular, especially children's sulfate-free shampoo. Reviews from grateful parents overwhelm the Internet.
Of course, there are many more companies around the world engaged in the production of natural hair care products. For example: Natuderma, Bioxsine, Paul Mitchell and others. All of them have their own advantages, which earned a large number of regular customers.
Domestic manufacturers
Not only foreign companies are able to offer quality products. Many manufacturers from Russia and other CIS countries also produce natural hair products. Here are some of them:
- Natura Siberica. The products of this Russian company have an international ICEA certificate, which marks only natural and safe food, cosmetics, textiles and buildings. Due to its composition, Natura Siberica shampoos gently and gently cleanse the scalp and hair, do not cause itching and contribute to the restoration of the fat balance of the epidermis.
- White Mandarin is a rather young trademark from Ukraine, specializing in the production of sulfate-free cosmetics. Shampoos of this company include natural vegetable oils and only components safe for health.
- Organic Shop. Russian cosmetics without harmful chemical compounds, which can be found in specialized stores or pharmacies.
- Recipes of Grandmother Agafia. A series of sulfate-free cosmetics from this Russian company has its fans and opponents, just like any other.
Baby shampoos
Many cosmetic companies have special lines of children's natural hair products. But not all, and therefore it is much more difficult to buy a children's shampoo without sulfates than for adults. Among the brands specializing in children's cosmetics are:
- Yes To is one of the most popular brands producing hair and body care products for children. The products of this company cannot be called absolutely natural, but it is completely safe for children. Yes To Shampoo contains SLS and other dangerous surfactants, as well as toxic preservatives.
- Kinder, Mama-Baby, Avalon, etc.
Where to buy natural shampoos
It is no secret that the vast majority of hair cosmetics on the shelves of our stores can not be classified as natural. And only in some departments of rare shops really high-quality certified shampoos and hair conditioners without sodium lauryl sulfate are exhibited. But what about the inhabitants of small cities? And can you trust the internet?
In the case of choosing a store in which it is better to buy natural hair shampoos, reviews of people who have already used its services will be very useful. This applies to both ordinary stores offering organic products, and online portals. In almost all pharmacies you can buy sulfate-free shampoo. The list of such products is quite large, and buyers have a choice.
You should also ask about the availability of documents confirming the quality, and in the case of online orders - about guarantees of getting exactly what you need. Most modern companies provide their customers with services for the delivery of orders to almost anywhere in the world.