These days there are endless options when it comes to hair care or beauty products. Often we’re sold on a product because of its gorgeous scent or a clever marketing campaign rather than its formula. And let’s be honest, most of us aren’t flipping a shampoo bottle to read the finely printed ingredient list.
Even if we do read the ingredients list, it’s not likely we know what half of those ingredients even are!
On my vanity, there are normally thickening, smoothing, hydrating, and de-frizzing products aplenty. But annoyingly, while I might buy a hair product to help enhance the health of my hair, some products might be exacerbating the very problem I’m trying to solve. This comes down to some very pesky and harmful ingredients.
Let’s detail 3 of the more harmful hair product ingredients and why we should avoid them.
#1 Parabens
Parabens are known to be harmful to humans, and yet they are widely used in hair products. Parabens are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of products. They’ve been used since the 1920s but it wasn’t until more recently that we’ve understood their harmful effects.
Parabens are easily absorbed into the body and can disrupt our endocrine system. Once absorbed, parabens can mimic estrogen in the body and cause hormonal disruptions in both males and females. Women and young children are the most at risk when it comes to parabens.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics states “Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity.”
Additionally, as estrogen is intimately involved with the development of certain cancers, parabens are also suspected of carcinogenic effects.
Ingredient names to look for:
- Ethylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Or any ingredient ending in “paraben”
#2 Sulfate detergents
Sulfates are detergents also known as surfactants. They strip oil and grime from surfaces. Sulfates are also found in laundry soap, dishwashing liquid, hand soap, floor cleaners, and car washing soap. This is what gives soap its lush lather. Which is great if you’re washing dishes, but not so much when you’re washing your delicate hair. Sulfates are seriously harsh and strip the hair and scalp of all natural moisture.
Sulfates are very drying and leave your hair desperate for moisture and prone to breakage.
The most common sulfate in hair products is sodium laureth sulfate. (Which is also used to degrease engines!)
There are great sulfate alternatives that are clarifying and lather up. There is no need to use harmful detergents on our hair. Try sulfate-free products.
#3 PEGs
PEGs are used to dissolve oil. Similar to sulfates, polyethylene glycol is a stripping agent. But in many beauty and hair products, it’s also used to “thicken” and soften. PEGs are found in shampoo, hand and dish soap, bubble bath soap, hair relaxers, and moisturizers.
Unfortunately, PEGs have been found to be carcinogenic. Through a production ethoxylation process, PEGs are often contaminated with the highly problematic, ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane.
Ethylene oxide is considered a carcinogen and is linked to lymphoma and leukemia, stomach and breast cancers.
It was also used as a toxic chemical weapon in WWI. (Oh my!)
Sadly, ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane will never be listed on the ingredient list though. So, instead, look for ingredients that contain these words:
- PPG
- PEG-6
- PEG-8
- PEG-100
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Polysorbate
- Ingredients that end in –eth such as laureth, steareth, ceteareth
Natural is best
It’s in our family’s best interest for us mums to stay on the lookout for harmful ingredients that are lurking in our showers.
But I know, starting to delve into clean living it can feel overwhelming. So, for now, look for things that are paraben-free, sulfate-free, and do not have any PEG ingredients.
You’ll find that there are some specific brands that are dedicated to offering safe and non-toxic products that will tick all these boxes. Once you find new non-toxic products and make the switch, you won’t have to think much of it again.
