Is Natural Shampoo Better for Your Hair?

Natural shampoos are better than rubbing harsh chemicals into your hair. The problem is, not all products that say “natural” on the label are actually natural. If you want a shampoo that’s good for your hair, you’ll have to learn how to read between the lines. Here are some things to keep in mind before visiting a vitamin and supplement store in Eau Claire, WI.

Ditch the sulfates

Sulfates are a type of chemical that’s designed to cleanse dirt and oil from hair. Sulfates might seem necessary, since the whole point of shampoo is to get rid of the gunk. However, shampoo cleanses hair perfectly fine without these harsh chemicals. Sulfates are the reason why shampoo burns when it gets into your eyes. They’ve also been known to cause red, itchy scalps in people with sensitive skin.

Unfortunately, most shampoos—even the ones that claim to be natural—contain sulfates to some extent. When you read the label on a shampoo bottle, chances are the ingredients list will include sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate. Thankfully, the top vitamin and supplement stores in Eau Claire, WI offer sulfate-free bathroom products that are gentle on the scalp.

Choose organic ingredients

Consumers should focus less on shampoos that are marketed as natural and instead look for ones with an organic certification on the label. The U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t regulate the use of the word “natural” in food or beauty product labeling. Any brand can call themselves natural, despite which ingredients are listed on the bottle. “Natural” isn’t much more than a marketing ploy.

The USDA does, however, regulate products that consider themselves organic. Companies can’t use the word “organic” on their packaging unless the product meets certain rules and regulations. The standards for what’s considered organic depend on where you live. Some states dictate a product must contain at least 70 percent organic materials, while that percentage could be more or less in different regions. A shampoo that’s only partially organic is still better than one that says “natural” on the bottle.

Read the fine print

Shampoos that promise to hydrate, repair and volumize don’t always stay true to their word. In fact, these products sometimes create the opposite effect. If you look close enough, you’ll often find artificial fragrances and other skin irritants buried in the ingredients list. Many “natural” shampoos only contain trace amounts of organic materials and supplement them with fake scents. Just because it smells like citrus doesn’t mean there’s real fruit in there!

While organic shampoos are great for your hair, there are a few ingredients you should avoid. Tea tree oil has been known to cause rashes in some people, as have mint and menthol. It’s possible these ingredients won’t give you an allergic reaction, but you might consider steering clear of them just in case. A vitamin and supplement store will provide you with many different options that suit all types of skin.

The word “natural” can be deceiving. Shampoos that are sold at your local Eau Claire, WI grocery store usually contain hidden ingredients that are anything but natural. You never know what you’re rubbing onto your scalp, unless you shop at Mother Nature’s Food. When we say our beauty products are all natural, we mean it!

Categorised in: Natural Products