Natural shampoos & conditioners hydrate, nourish and protect hair, leaving tresses silky and lustrous without increasing toxic load in the body or environment. They work to:
- Maintain shiny, soft, manageable hair.**
- Minimize dandruff, flaking & scalp irritation.**
- Promote smooth, glossy & healthy-looking hair.**
What are Natural Shampoos & Conditioners?
Most people have about 90,000 to 150,000 hairs on their head, each composed of the protein keratin, water, lipids, the pigment melanin, and trace quantities of mineral elements that come from the environment. Each hair shaft is covered by a cuticle. When hair is healthy and hydrated, cuticles overlap one another like the scales on a fish, enabling hair shafts to grow with a shiny, smooth appearance. When cuticles are dried or damaged, they cannot lay flat, leading to hair that may have a rough, dull or frizzy appearance.**
What causes uneven, rough cuticles? Aging, exposure to the elements – such as sunlight, humidity, heat and wind – and the use of hair dryers and other styling appliances can lead to cuticle damage and bad hair days. The main culprit, however, may be found in the chemicals and toxins that comprise non-natural shampoos and conditioners.**
Of the 10,500 chemicals commonly used in hair and personal care products, only 11% have been evaluated for safety. Over time, these chemicals build up in the body, creating toxic load and damaging hair by causing the cuticle to dry out, swell and break. Since chemicals in these products are washed down the drain, they may present environmental hazards, as well.**
Non-natural hair care products expose users to a range of potentially hazardous toxins, from endocrine disruptors to carcinogens. Some of the most common synthetic compounds in hair products include dioxane and DEA, both known carcinogens; sodium laurel sulfate, a lathering agent that’s been found to disrupt hormone levels, irritate eyes and skin, and act as a neurotoxin; propylene glycol, a surfactant that’s been linked to kidney and liver damage; phthalates, endocrine disrupting chemicals added for fragrance; and compounds like cetrimonium bromide, a common conditioner ingredient that’s also a known skin irritant.**
As consumers grow increasingly aware of the potential negative health and ecological impact of synthetic hair care products, more are now turning to natural shampoos & conditioners.**
Sourced from botanical ingredients, natural shampoos & conditioners hydrate, nourish and protect hair, promoting smooth cuticles and supple, shiny hair. Additionally, natural products moisturize the scalp, providing relief from itching, flaking, irritation and dandruff. Natural shampoos tend to be gentler than their synthetic counterparts, cleansing hair without stripping its natural oils. Natural conditioners feature botanical compounds that coat, protect and lubricate hair, for cascading tresses that look and feel soft, glossy and lustrous.**
Common ingredients in natural shampoos & conditioners include shea butter and sunflower, avocado, jojoba, coconut and argan oils. These botanicals supply soothing emollients that nourish the hair and scalp while delivering vitamins, inflammation modulators and antioxidants. Natural cleansing ingredients may include rosemary and chamomile, herbs with time-tested purifying properties. Other hair-strengthening ingredients include biotin, a vitamin that’s been shown to reduce splitting and increase hair thickness; keratin, one of the major building blocks of healthy hair; and horsetail, a silica-rich botanical that improves hair’s resilience. Conditioners may supply herbal extracts along with protective oils of shea, sweet almond and jojoba.**
Shampoo & Conditioner Products
Natural shampoos and conditioners are available in liquid or cream form. Some of these products may be Certified Organic.
Shampoo & Conditioner Directions for Use
Natural shampoos & conditioners supply varying amounts of ingredients, so there are no set directions for use. Always consult a medical professional before starting supplementation.**
