Years ago, when I was still learning about the cosmetics world and their greenwashing tricks, I was trying many “natural” shampoos found at Whole Foods Market with the same result: scalp rash.
I thought I was "allergic to shampoos” when instead these "not-so-natural" shampoos were responsible for creating these reactions.

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​Conventional Shampoos

I learned that both conventional shampoos contain common chemical ingredients and irritants such as fragrances, endocrine-disrupting parabens, SLA, Formaldehyde, sulfates, and all the ingredients that end in -eth (e.g. Ceteareth, Laureth-4, Laureth-23), also Polysorbate-20, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Triethanolamine, and Cocamide DEA/MEA.

Conventional shampoos and conditioners contain synthetic proteins and plasticizers that coat the hair. Hair conditioners cover up the damage that the harsh detergents in the shampoo do to your hair.

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They are made of harsh cleaning agents, carrying agents, emulsifiers, emollients, humectants, proteins, fragrances, and preservatives. ​​
​❌ Cleaning agents contain synthetic and chemical surfactants: Cocamide, PEGs- (SLES), (SLS). 
​❌ Carrying agents are the base of shampoo and are the active ingredients. Don’t use a shampoo with the carrying agent propylene glycol: it causes dermatitis and it is rated 3 on ewg.org ​
​❌ Emulsifiers create the consistency of shampoo. Toxic emulsifiers are MEA, DEA, TEA, and MIPA, and ingredients with PEG-n are considered carcinogenic. ​
​❌ Emollients keep the hair moisturized. Toxic emollients are silicones such as dimethicone. They coat hair and they are polluting since they do not biodegrade. ​
​❌ Humectants give a more full look to the hair. Irritating humectants are butylene glycol, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol. ​
​​​❌Fragrance is added to mask the toxic smell of conventional shampoo. These unnatural fragrances are strong and can create allergic reactions, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential effects on the reproductive system.

Choose only shampoos with essential oils. Check the natural fragrance brands page.

❌ Proteins: repair and strengthen the hair. Skip artificial proteins, Natural proteins are rice or quinoa proteins. ​
❌Preservatives such as Parabens, Dioxane, and Benzyl Alcohol are toxic and they are the worst preservatives.

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Greenwashing Shampoos

Greenwashing is when a brand pretends to be organic, eco-friendly, natural, or safe when it is not. They use misleading greenwashing techniques to convince you to buy their products!

I also try to avoid potassium sorbate sodium benzoate. These are considered better preservatives but they can still create skin reactions. I also learned to avoid preservatives commonly found in greenwashing shampoos claiming to be "natural shampoos" such as:

Controversial preservatives:

• ❌​Potassium sorbate: considered a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant. 

• ❌​Sodium benzoate:  benzoic acid and vitamin C mix can cause cancer. Capable of causing contact urticaria

• ❌ Honeysuckle: creates benzoic acid.   Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract and Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract.

• ❌Citric Acid lab made: conventional cheaper lab-made citric acid AKA Manufactured citric acid (MCA) is derived from a mold. "Approximately 99% of the world’s production of MCA is carried out using the fungus Aspergillus niger, a known allergen, identified merely as "citric acid" in ingredients lists. The FDA has generally considered it safe, but no scientific studies were performed to evaluate the safety of MCA when ingested in substantial amounts and with chronic exposure." Depends on which citric acid method a company wants to use.  A synthetic option or natural.  Synthetic is cheaper. You can ask a company which processes they use: Certificate of Authenticity COA.

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Organic Shampoos

🌿 Once I switched to truly natural shampoos, my irritation magically disappeared and I have softer, stronger hair, and a healthier scalp. If you have any issues with your hair or scalp, it can be the chemical content and the cheap ingredients found in conventional or greenwashing shampoos, including the expensive ones!

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Better preservatives:​

• ✅ Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, tested and proven to be safe and effective. Fermented radish root and a strain from the lactic acid built as preservatives are effective against harmful bacteria, needed due to the water content in shampoo, which creates an environment for bacteria to grow over time.

• ✅ Caprylhydroxamic acid is an amino acid (an organic compound that is the essential building block of life) derived from coconut oil. The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety concluded that Caprylhydroxamic Acid is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

• ✅ Citric Acid naturally sourced: It should be derived from the Cassia plant, like in Christina Moss Shampoo, or from frozen lemon and orange peels like in the Aleavia body wash.

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​🌿Here you will find my favorite natural shampoos made with the most organic and safest ingredients available with promo codes. Here more specifically:

• Dry Hair

• Oily hair

• Curly Hair 

• Dandruff 

• Color-treated 

• Baby wash

• Kids hair care

• Men hair care

• Purple shampoo

• Lice shampoo

• Plastic-free

• Shampoo bar

• Chlorine remover

• Travel size

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✨With a safer and natural shampoo, your hair will detox from all the chemical build-up from conventional shampoos. It will regenerate and start to reveal its true appearance. The transformation is naturally visible!  Remember to bring your natural shampoo with you to the hair salon, spa, gym, or when traveling. 

 

On this page, you will find the cleanest shampoos on the market! Enjoy! 💕 ​