Many of today’s hair products are marketed as safe for your hair, your health, and the environment, but not all of them follow through on their promises. Some shampoos and conditioners are laced with chemicals like sulfates that may harm your hair.
Beauty Elite Group, a Houston, Texas company that sells quality products for all beauty applications, shares what people should look for when searching for safe hair products.
Ingredients to Avoid
When you are choosing a hair product or any beauty product, be sure to check the label for this list of potentially dangerous ingredients:
Formaldehyde
People who have taken high school biology often recognize formaldehyde because it was used to preserve dissection specimens in the past. Putting this chemical on your hair and potentially inhaling it could cause cancer. It can be challenging to determine whether a product has formaldehyde because this chemical can be released by many other substances, including formalin, methanal, methanethiol, or timonacic acid.
Formaldehyde is often used in straightening chemicals used in heat processes. The chemical is released when the hair is heated, like a flatiron.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
These are extremely common detergents used in less expensive shampoos, body washes, and industrial applications. It is frequently contaminated by cancer-causing agents like 1,4-dioxane. They can also be irritating and strip the scalp of natural moisture. If you are having trouble with a dry and itchy scalp, the first thing that you should do is stop using shampoos with sulfates.
Phthalates
Phthalates are known as plasticizers. They make products pliable and make fragrances adhere to the skin. Phthalates often hide behind the innocuous names “fragrance” or “parfum.” Phthalates in large quantities are known to cause endocrine disruption and could affect the reproductive system, especially in pregnant women and small children.
Parabens
Parabens are associated with hair loss and scalp irritation. They can fade color and irritate the scalp. Like phthalates, parabens can also disrupt the endocrine system. They have estrogen-like properties and could contribute to reproductive problems.
Polyethylene Glycol
This chemical is found in many beauty products and deodorants, but it is best to steer clear. It irritates the scalp and causes itching and burning. It is also dangerous for the eyes. It can cause dry, brittle hair.
Polyethylene glycol is known as a humectant, meaning that it helps hair absorb moisture. This means that the chemical can allow hair to soak up dangerous chemicals.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is often found in traditional dandruff shampoos. It is a toxic ingredient and should not be applied to the hair since it causes excess dryness and could contain harmful substances.
Ingredients to Look For Instead
In place of the above chemicals, which could be bad for your hair and dangerous for your health, look for these safer and natural alternatives:
Moisturizers
Instead of synthetic moisturizers like polyethylene glycol, look for natural, nourishing plant oils like argan oil and jojoba. Honey, coconut oil, glycerin, aloe vera, and shea butter are better choices.
Cleaning Agents
If you want a safer alternative to sulfates, look for amphoteric or zwitterionic detergents. These detergents are suitable for hard water, produce a rich foam, and work well with other surfactants. They can emulsify oil as well. These chemicals are regarded as safe enough to put in baby products.
Detanglers
Look for ingredients like grapeseed, jojoba, and primrose to naturally detangle hair and make sure it stays smooth and beautiful. It is essential to look for safe ingredients in children’s detanglers.
Hair Color
Hair color can be highly toxic, to the point where pregnant women are advised to steer clear of conventional formulations. Henna is a vegetable-based dye that is safe for all hair types. If you are looking for a reddish color, henna is the right product to choose.
Lemon juice can brighten hair nearly as well as peroxides. As with all lightening agents, make sure you do not turn your hair brassy or discolored due to impurities in your tap water.
Choosing natural hair color brands like Beauty Elite Group is the best bet for the safety of your hair as well as your overall health.
Promoting Hair Product Safety
If you are searching for safe hair products in the drugstore, discount store, or budget aisles, you may find that you are out of luck. The dangerous chemicals listed above are put into hair products partly because they are inexpensive. To get a safe and nourishing hair product, you must often pay a slightly higher price.
Switching from potentially dangerous discount brands and choosing salon brands like Beauty Elite Group will help to lead you away from the hazardous chemicals mentioned above and create a healthier and safer future for your hair. Be especially careful when choosing hair products for children because their systems are still developing.
