IN composition of all shampoos contains various harmful components, which accumulate in the body and can harm human health as a whole. They can cause allergies, provoke aging, lead to nervous disorders and cardiovascular diseases. But, despite this, these substances cannot be excluded from the composition of modern shampoos, since without this, cosmetics will lose their properties.
Moreover, the human body is capable of self-cleaning, and health problems, in most cases, begin when the functioning of the immune system is disrupted. will help reduce the risk of harmful effects, but for this you need to know how negatively this or that ingredient can affect your health.
Detergent is an essential component of any shampoo.
The most harmful components included in shampoos are detergents, which relate to surfactants. They have cleaning properties and foam well, making them easy to remove from hair. different kinds dust and grease contamination. If you arrange detergents in order of decreasing harmful effects, the list will look like this:Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate - ammonium lauryl sulfate;
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate - ammonium laureth sulfate;
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - sodium lauryl sulfate;
Sodium Laureth Sulfate - sodium laureth sulfate;
TEA Lauril Sulfate - TEA lauryl sulfate;
TEA Laureth Sulfate - TEA laureth sulfate.
The first three substances, as a rule, are always components of cheap shampoos. They are recognized carcinogens, easily penetrate the skin, accumulate in the body, and if the immune system is impaired, they can lead to health problems.
If you find these three components in your cosmetics, then the best option will throw away these goods. Sodium lauryl sulfate is less harmful than sodium lauryl sulfate.
The last two substances, in most cases, are used in expensive shampoos and are less harmful. Manufacturers always indicate the type of detergent that is included in the shampoo; its name appears on the sticker first in the list of detergent components.
Because the Detergents can dry out hair, while depriving them vitality, various softeners that make hair manageable. That is, they are able, to a certain extent, to neutralize the effect of the detergents used. In this regard, it is necessary pay attention to the fact that the shampoo contains:
Сocamidopropyl Betaine- cocamidopropyl betaine - compatible with other components, acts as a light conditioner, and is antistatic. Used in children's shampoos, it is considered an expensive component.
Decyl polyglucose- decyl glucoside - reduces the irritating effect of aggressive cleaners, suitable for sensitive skin. This component is obtained from corn and coconuts.
Glycereth Cocoate- glycereth cocoate;
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate- sodium cocoamphodiacetate;
Cocoamidopropyl Sulfo Betaine- cocamidopropyl sulfobetaine.
Preservatives
Without this additive, modern shampoo simply cannot exist; it is preservatives that preserve its properties and prevent the proliferation of microorganisms in shampoo that can cause allergies. However, not all preservatives are harmless.
Preservatives include:
- Formaldehyde. This substance is a carcinogen, but is widely used in the production of shampoos as a preservative. Formaldehyde is toxic and can have a negative effect on the organs of vision and breathing, as well as worsen the condition skin. Formaldehyde can also be hidden under the following names: DMDM Hydantoin diazolidinyl urea, Imidazalidol urea, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, monosodium salt, N-(Hydroxymethyl) glycine and quaternium-15
- Parabens. These are preservatives that can inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Parabens are substances that can cause allergies. Accumulating in tissues, they can lead to hormonal imbalance and the development of malignant tumors. Parabens include ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben.
- Sodium benzonate or benzoic acid- is a natural preservative, found in lingonberries and cranberries, and is also used in Food Industry(E211);
- Phenoxyethanol.
Thickeners
Thickeners are responsible for the viscosity and density of shampoo, and are also foam stabilizers, these include: - Cocamide DEA, used as a thickener, foaming agent, antistatic agent, softener, etc.- Cocamide MEA;
- Thickener PEG-4 monoethanolamide rapeseed oil;
Other shampoo ingredients
In addition to harmful surfactants, preservatives and thickeners, shampoo contains many ingredients that have varying degrees of usefulness. These are all kinds of paints, flavors and antibacterial components. You should avoid shampoos containing:Diethanolamine. This substance has moisturizing properties, but can also cause allergies. Shampoos containing this component may have a negative effect on the respiratory system.
Mineral oils (paraffins, petroleum jelly). These substances are obtained from oil; they are capable of forming a water-repellent film, but at the same time they retain not only moisture, but also a variety of harmful substances, disrupting metabolism. In addition, they prevent the saturation of hair and skin with oxygen.
When choosing a shampoo, you should remember that high-quality shampoos with a minimum amount of harmful substances are usually sold in pharmacies. At the same time, they have weak washing properties, slight foaming and lack of color and odor. Moreover, you can always
What is harmful and what is good for our hair? Are shampoos with sulfates really an absolute evil, and oils a blessing for our hair? Do we need conditioners and hair dryers with ionizers? We could have read our fortunes on the coffee grounds, but instead we decided to get the opinion of a person who really understands all these subtleties. Namely, a chemist!
So, our questions are answered Anastasia Schelkunova, Master of Chemistry in chemical Technology biologically active compounds . Anastasia is currently introducing a drug for the diagnosis of malignant tumors. We took a moment to ask her questions about hair care that concern many girls.
Question 1. Everyone says that Lauryl Sulfate is harmful, but it is added literally everywhere: in shampoos and shower gels. How is it harmful to skin and hair?
Sodium lauryl sulfate is known to be a surfactant (surfactant). Basically, the surface of our skin is contaminated with oil secreted by the sweat and sebaceous glands. Fat does not dissolve in water, so it can be washed off without help. special means will not work.
The surfactant molecule is an amphiphilic compound, that is, it has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. In simple words, such molecules are able to interact with both water and non-polar molecules (such as fat). Without going into abstruse details, then, in essence, the process of washing your hair is the following: surfactant molecules interact with scalp fat, capture it, and then we safely wash it all off with water.
As for the issue of harmfulness, everything is ambiguous. At the global level, sodium lauryl sulfate is not carcinogenic and embryotoxic, therefore it will not lead to serious diseases and will not spoil heredity. At the everyday level, it naturally has an irritating effect, and the magnitude of this effect depends on individual characteristics each person. Some will react with severe allergies, others will not notice. The lower the surfactant concentration and the shorter the exposure time, the better and safer.
From myself: a smaller amount of shampoo, about a 5 ruble coin, lather and rinse with plenty of water. I personally gave up shower gels and use simple soap.
Question 2. Are shampoos without sulfates healthier than those with sulfates? or is this nonsense?
The issue of sulfates has been around for a long time. And here again there is no clear answer. In any case, you need to understand that any shampoo is a certain mixture of chemical compounds. And if one does not contain sulfates, it means there is something else. And you don't know what will suit your skin.
On a personal note: I personally don’t like sulfate-free shampoos at all; my hair doesn’t look good, although I can’t say: I haven’t used all the products I have)))
Question 3. It turns out that washing your hair with household shampoo every day is a priori harmful?
Well, you can wash your hair every day, the only question is, is it necessary? If your hair doesn’t get oily, then every other day is quite normal. But if your hair is greasy by the end of the day, then this is not very good. It's better to see a doctor. And, of course, use a specialized shampoo, since mass-available, let’s call them that, shampoos will clog the pores even more.
IN survey 4. Does lifestyle affect hair health? For example, we are city dwellers, here we have exhaust emissions and hard water, but in the villages will our hair be better?
Of course, lifestyle influences. And the environment has an impact. Because the body works as a single system, if there is a failure somewhere, then it is reflected in the appearance first. But we should also not forget that it is impossible to increase the amount of hair by certain means. Only quality.
Question 5. Tips for softening water. We have very hard water, should we install filters?
Hard water really affects your scalp and therefore your hair. There are also filters against hardness; if it’s expensive, you can use boiled water.
Question 6: I can’t believe they add oils to hair shampoos and conditioners. But on my shampoos, Japanese camellia oil is included at the very end of the list. Did they really add it there?
As for adding oils to skin care products, whether they are in it or not is entirely a matter of the manufacturer’s conscience. But if they do exist, they are clearly synthetic, since it is simply impossible to use at the current scale of production. natural oils. Unless in luxury cosmetics, that’s not a fact.
Question 7. The mysterious word “extract”. What is it and what do you eat it with?
The same goes for the word,extract. Everything that is in detergents, and care products too, are synthetic extracts. The properties of a substance obtained synthetically should not differ from the natural one. We buy vitamins in the fall and spring; they are also artificially obtained and not isolated from vegetables and fruits. There is no clear opinion on this matter.
Question 8. What can you say, as a chemist, about the benefits vegetable oils for hair?
Purely theoretically, oils have a beneficial effect on both the scalp and hair. Oils create a film on the hair that helps retain water and nourish the skin. However, there are many subtleties here. Firstly, as I said, most of the oils that we buy are synthetic. Secondly, when using this or that oil, you should take into account the characteristics of your body. And thirdly, it is important correct application oils They must be used cleanly, separately from store-bought shampoos and masks, since, after all, these are chemicals, and no one can say how the substances may react. And oils have the ability to drag dirt into the pores, so first we cleanse them, then the oil, then cleanse again.
Push: best friends hair so far, as far as I know - egg, bread, kefir, herbal decoctions.
In general, there is such a doctor, a trichologist. If there is a problem with your hair, you need to go to him and figure out what the reason is. Hair, like skin, must be treated from the inside.
Question 9. What are the benefits of using the balm?
Nowadays the choice of shampoos is so large that the balm cannot be considered as some kind of marketing ploy. All shampoos are developed with different meanings pH, and the balm works to neutralize the effect of the shampoo. Let's just say that if the shampoo has an alkaline environment, then after using it the hair scales remain open. It is necessary to close these scales and remove any remaining shampoo from the hair. You can rinse your hair with a solution of lemon in water or use a conditioning balm. The same applies to acidic shampoos. Each company makes shampoo according to its own formula: the composition may be the same, but the ratio and concentration of the ‘ingredients’ are different, hence one brand of shampoo is suitable for some, and another for others.
Question 10. Shampoo for oily hair, for dry ones - what is their difference? By composition? And this beast is especially interesting: “Shampoo for hair that is oily at the roots and dry at the ends”
By the way, even the Internet is unable to explain the beast for both fatty and dry people. I think it’s a marketing ploy, or is it just a brilliantly smart shampoo that determines hair type and acts based on its analysis)))))
Question 11. It’s interesting to hear your opinion about hair dryers with ionizers - is this a scam? And if not, how do they work?
A hair dryer with an ionizer... I think it really works. The hair dryer itself is harmful to hair. It overheats them, dries them out, and since hair is essentially protein, the effect high temperatures disastrous for him. In addition, hair is capable of accumulating positive charges, causing it to become electrified. Ionic flow helps solve these problems: thanks to negatively charged ions, drops of moisture are crushed and absorbed by the hair, rather than evaporating. As a result, we have hair protection from overheating. Also, thanks to ionization, the hair is less electrified.
Question 12. Is it true that products for colored hair help “not wash away” the color from the hair? Or is this a marketing ploy?
I think that shampoos for colored hair actually strip the color out of your hair less. Or maybe they even secure it.
© Interviewed by Yulia Safonova
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Girls buy shampoos without thinking about anything. Did you know that shampoos can provoke the growth of cancer cells? Due to the fact that many manufacturers have begun adding chemicals to shampoos, girls are suffering from diseases. What we are shown in advertising is just a marketing ploy.
Of course there are few chemical additives. But manufacturers add the most terrible components.
Of the twelve, ten ingredients can cause: birth defects in offspring, allergic reactions, damage to the skin, hair, organs, tissues, disruption of the central nervous and endocrine systems and diseases such as cancer.
Carefully read the composition of the shampoo before buying it! This is very important, because such diseases begin to develop very quickly!
90 percent of all shampoos contain sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulfate, and on the packages themselves it is written as Loureth Sulfate/SodiumLouryl. This detergent is the cheapest, and therefore almost all manufacturers use it. The substance penetrates very quickly and easily into your body and can accumulate in tissues, most notably in the liver, brain, heart and eyes. Over a period of weeks or months, lauryl accumulates in the body, thereby quickly causing cancer, hair loss, dry skin, eye diseases and hormonal dysfunction. Lauryl is also a mutagen. It changes cell genetics and affects DNA structure.
A lot of shampoos contain triethanolamine and diethanolamine. They are designated by the letters TEA and DEA. They are used in shampoo to create foam. Such ingredients cause liver and kidney cancer. If the shampoo still contains nitrite preservatives, then the combination of these three substances forms a strong poison.
Shampoos also contain many other dangerous ingredients. You should remember them and try not to choose shampoos containing them. Sodium EDTA is used to bind dirt particles. In the composition it will be designated as Tetrasodium EDTA. This component has negative action on behavioral, cognitive and psychological processes and causes skin and eye irritation. And the substance Cocamide MEA, which is used to form thick foam, promotes the formation and development of cancer.
Diazolidinyl Urea causes irritation to the eyes and skin, and is also a powerful poison - formaldehyde. Cocamidotrotyl Betaine, which increases the density and volume of shampoo, causes dry scalp, irritation and dermatitis.
Propylene Glyco, l makes hair “silky”, is used in brake fluid and is a petrochemical compound! It causes abnormalities in the liver and kidneys and causes dermatitis. Nowadays, all shampoos contain dyes, preservatives and fragrances.
Propilparaben and Methylparaben are classified as heterogeneous parabens. Parabens cause allergies, cause allergies and destroy endocrine system. Benzoic acid can cause birth defects in offspring. Some dyes are designated in the composition as CI42053, CI60730, etc. Many of them have not even passed certification. Shampoos with Perfume, so to speak, are actually made with a fragrance, and not ordinary perfume. And they contribute to disruption of the central nervous system, causing allergies and cancer.
Girls, be extremely careful and do not put your own life at risk! Think about your children! Health is most important!
To see which shampoos contain harmful substances, just go to any store cosmetics and pay attention to relatively cheap, but well-advertised brands. Despite the fact that on the packaging of these products, manufacturers indicate a phrase that is very beneficial for their business, such as “Restores hair structure”, “Nourishes from the very roots”, etc., in fact, almost all of these shampoos contain dangerous component number 1, namely Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.
SLS is the second ingredient listed in most shampoos. Being a cleaning agent and an excellent foaming agent, it is a cheap and easy to use component. Thanks to Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, one drop of the product is enough to get a rich foam. Many buyers believe that the amount of foam formed to some extent determines the quality of the product, but this is far from the case.
Frequent use of shampoos containing sodium lauryl sulfate may worsen the condition of the hair and cause excessive hair loss. On the one hand, the aggressive effect is to some extent muffled by some softening ingredients of the shampoo, but due to the toxicity of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, many consumers began to pay attention to sulfate-free products.
The chemical composition of sodium lauryl sulfate allows this component to enter and accumulate in the tissues of the heart, liver and eyes. SLS impairs the body's metabolism and dries out the scalp, despite its benefit of actually removing oil and dirt from the hair.
As a result of research conducted at the Medical College of the University of Georgia, it became clear what properties sodium lauryl sulfate has. Here are some of them:
- SLS removes grease and dirt using surface oxidation. As a result of exposure to the substance, a kind of film remains on the skin, which, with prolonged contact, causes irritation, itching, allergies and even redness.
- SLS is capable of changing the protein composition of cells, worsening immune system. It is not recommended for use for washing the hair of young children, as with prolonged exposure it can cause various diseases, including cataracts.
- When SLS enters the body through the pores of the scalp or body, it is practically not excreted by the liver.
- SLS eliminates not only grease and dirt, but also the natural hair film, which protects curls from environmental influences. Such strong degreasing stimulates the activity of the sebaceous glands, as a result of which the hair has to be washed even more often.
- SLS doesn't just make your hair dry, it dries it out, making it very brittle. If, when washing, the applied and foamed product is not washed off immediately, but waits for a while, the hair will begin to fall out excessively, and dandruff may occur.
Looking at the composition of shampoos, in the top five items you can see another component called laureth sulfate, it creates the illusion of an expensive product for the user, because with just a few hand movements it has the ability to create abundant foam. Cheap surfactants are used in products such as bubble bath, shower gel, makeup remover, intimate hygiene etc. It is very profitable for manufacturers to include SLS and SLES in their products, so about 90% of all shampoos contain these aggressive components, and continue to be in demand among buyers, although not among those who prefer safe products.
- If you consider your skin to be sensitive, shampoos containing SLS and SLES are definitely not suitable for you. These components should also alert people with allergic skin, as well as use by young children.
- If you use a product with SLS or SLES once and rarely, nothing bad will happen to your skin or hair. It's different if you do it often and regularly. Even small concentrations of these components can cause serious problems.
- A little more and you will succumb to advertising with flashy words like “Saves from dandruff”, “Restores hair structure”, “To treat itching”? Don't forget to look at the product's ingredients. Sulfate shampoos, on the contrary, can cause the above effects.
The top five most dangerous substances in modern shampoos include Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine (DEA and TEA). Playing the role of foaming agents and emulsifiers in both cheap and expensive products, they can lead to dryness and even irritation of the scalp. Beware of combining these ingredients with nitrates. With prolonged and frequent use of products with DEA and TEA in the body, the ability to absorb vitamin B4 may deteriorate.
Where to buy good shampoo
Some users of natural shampoos complain that the products they purchase are not able to cleanse their hair of oil and dirt as well as sulfate-containing products. There is a lot of truth in this, but there is one BUT! You can buy sulfate-free shampoos with chemicals that will cope with their tasks with a bang, but, at the same time, will be considered safe.
Let's look at a few safe and effective shampoos:
1. YES to cucumbers- shampoo for colored and damaged hair. The product of the American manufacturer contains 95% natural substances, including dill, cucumber, green pepper, broccoli extract, aloe vera gel, citric acid, olive oil, lactic acid, vitamin E and panthenol. Contains no parabens, petroleum products or hazardous SLS or SLES. Volume - 500 ml, price - 1110 rubles.
2. Desert Essence Coconut- shampoo for dry hair containing rosemary leaf extract, olive oil, shea and coconut butter, burdock root extract, as well as other beneficial ingredients. As in the previous version, there are no sulfates or other harmful ingredients. The shampoo smells great of coconut and lathers well. Volume - 237 ml, price - $6.74.
3. Organic Shop “Moroccan Princess. Recovery"- shampoo for all hair types. It contains no silicones, parabens or aggressive surfactants. Volume - 280 ml, cost - 244 rubles.
Video about the most dangerous components shampoos:
To see which shampoos are dangerous, just go to any supermarket, where the cheapest, advertised brands belonging to cosmetic giants - L'Oreal, Dove, Garnier, Nivea, Clean Line and others - are on the shelves.
All these shampoos, which we see every day in commercials with models and actresses, contain one common component - the so-called SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.
You can verify this by turning the shampoo over and reading the ingredients on the label:
Why are SLS in shampoo harmful?
SLS is the cheapest and easiest cleaning agent and foaming agent to use on a production scale. It is thanks to him that a drop of shampoo turns into lush white foam, and it is thanks to him that fat and impurities are removed from hair so well.
These amazing properties of SLS are used not only in the production of hair products. SLS is also used to make car wash liquid, glass cleaner, and many other compounds for fighting dirt on inanimate objects.
In human shampoos, SLS is simply mixed with emollients, so on the surface its effect does not appear aggressive. However, there are things that remain behind the scenes.
Constant use of such shampoos is fraught with disruption of blood supply to the hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss and deterioration of the general condition of the hair. According to recent studies, SLSs have a strong carcinogenic potential, i.e. their toxicity can contribute to the formation of cancer.
Concern about the impact of SLS on human health has recently led to the emergence of the term “sulfate-free shampoos”, and of course a huge number of cosmetics brands that have begun to put a proud sign on their products
Without SLS
If you find such a mark, the shampoo is most likely safe, but not always. Many brands, abandoning sulfates and putting the “no sls” sign, continue to add other, less common, but no less dangerous substances to their shampoos, such as, for example, diethanolamine. It can be identified by letters on the label
It is also toxic and can cause skin irritation. Shampoo containing DEA can by no means be called safe, even if it says “free of sls and parabens.”
Parabens are preservatives. They are part of many cosmetics, creams, tonics and their destructive effect has not yet been proven. However, if you find a shampoo not only without SLS, DEA, but also without parabens, it is better to choose it.
Those who constantly buy sulfate-free shampoos complain that, lacking an aggressive component, they are not able to wash their hair well. This is not entirely true. Only all-natural shampoos wash your hair poorly. But there are many chemical shampoos without SLS and diethanolamines that wash perfectly and are safe.
The best sulfate-free shampoos - list of brands
Yes to Carrots and Yes to Cucumbers shampoos are very popular all over the world. They are not completely natural, but do not contain any harmful substances and are absolutely safe.
Instead of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Yes to Carrots shampoo uses the foaming agent Sodium Coco Sulphate. Its molecules are larger than SLS molecules, so much so that they are unable to penetrate human skin and act as toxins and irritants.
In Russia, the Yes to brand can be found in Rive Gauche stores, however, these will be locally bottled shampoos. If the country of origin is important to you, it is better to order these shampoos online. For example, on feelunique.com it costs £9 per bottle with free delivery to Russia. By the way, unlike many other shampoos, Yes to is available in large half-liter packages, which last for a long time.
The American Avalon is considered a very worthy organic brand all over the world. Avalon shampoos consist of 70% natural ingredients, do not contain SLS, DEA and are completely safe. They are freely sold in Russia, both on the Internet and in cosmetics stores. True, they cost twice as much here as in America.
A huge number of natural shampoos, as well as natural paints for hair, masks with biotin and other products for the face and body are produced by Aubrey Organics. The company uses organic natural ingredients and is highly valued all over the world among people who care about their health.
Inexpensive sulfate-free shampoos
In our country, good, safe shampoos and body products - creams, butters, liquid soaps - are produced under the Organic Shop and Organic Kitchen brands. Organic Shop shampoos can be bought in pharmacies, Rivgauches, Latoiles or Organic Shop brand stores in large shopping centers. These shampoos are not completely natural, but do not contain anything that could harm the body. Compared to imported analogues, they are very cheap.
Fully natural shampoos produced, for example, by such companies as Natuderm and Logona.
Choose a shampoo that suits your hair. The main thing is without SLS and DEA.
