More and more people are switching to natural products. We are increasingly aware of all the harmful substances in various personal care products, and so is shampoo. A natural shampoo is a shampoo without junk, without chemicals; a shampoo created by mother nature. If you haven't yet delved into the ins and outs of natural shampoo, you've come to the right place. Time for some digging.
What is a natural shampoo?
With a natural shampoo, just like a regular shampoo, you can wash dirt and grease out of your hair. However, those regular shampoos contain chemicals like sulfates, parabens, silicones and so on. That nice rich lather in your shampoo is often caused by these substances. Also, these substances cause you to get a certain layer over your hair that makes it shine. Now we hear you thinking "nice right?", but no. In the long run, these substances actually cause your hair to dry out.
A natural shampoo has the same purpose: to cleanse your hair. But not with harsh ingredients. Your hair will be gently cleansed, but you will not see that rich lather in the shampoo. However, your hair will be intensely nourished and cared for. So in the long run, you can expect healthier hair, a healthier scalp and often more hair growth. So leave that chemical lather behind.
There is no one kind of natural shampoo. In fact, just like a normal shampoo, its function can vary. So you have a natural shampoo bar (the environment will be happy with you), a natural anti-dandruff shampoo, a natural hair loss shampoo, etc. So besides being very kind to your hair, luckily they have other positive functions.
Which ingredients to avoid?
We already briefly talked about all the wolves in sheep's clothing: chemicals. Time to list the ones you want to avoid in your shampoo from now on.
Silicone
The ultimate traitor. In the short term, silicones make your hair shiny and easy to comb. The insidious thing about this is that your hair will look healthy, but it is not. Silicones will accumulate in your hair because it is difficult to wash out. The result? Dull hair that can no longer absorb nutrients.
Silicones are not often listed in the ingredient list as "silicones. They are often listed with words ending in -cone, -conol or -siloxane. Then you know what to avoid.
Sulfates
Sulfates will aggressively cleanse your hair, removing not only dirt but also natural fats. You get the idea, in the long run, your hair will become dry. Also, sulfates require you to use palm oil, which doesn't exactly make the environment happy.
With sulfates, look out for abbreviations like SLS, ALES and -sulfosuccinate.
Parabens
Parabens have one function in shampoos, and that is that it makes them last longer. Many people have a mild allergic reaction to parabens, which is why this ingredient has been much discussed. So just avoid them.
Alcohol
Alcohol can dry out your hair considerably and also cause frizzy hair. It is often added as an ingredient so that it can shorten the drying time of your hair.
Not all ingredients with alcohol are bad, but the ones you want to avoid are these: alcohol denat, SD alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl and porpanol alcohol.
Perfume
You probably get the point, perfume makes your shampoo smell nice. Perfume is not necessarily harmful, but it can cause quite a bit of irritation or even allergies. Especially if you have a sensitive scalp, you want to avoid perfume in your shampoo.
Simply avoid all ingredients with "fragrance," and separate added fragrances like citronellol, geraniol, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool or lysmeral.
Mineral oils
Mineral oils create a layer over your hair. This way, your hair retains moisture. The annoying thing about this is that this layer can build up and is difficult to wash out of your hair. The result is lifeless hair because your hair can no longer absorb healthy nutrients.
Beware of the ingredients paraffinum liquidum and petroleum.
What are the benefits of a natural shampoo?
A natural shampoo will have different benefits than a regular shampoo. A few are listed below.
- Your scalp will be nourished rather than dehydrated
- The natural oils will not be stripped from your hair
- Your hair will gradually become stronger and healthier
- Every wash, your hair and scalp will be intensely nourished with healthy ingredients
- Your hair will be wildly cleansed of dirt and excess grease
- A natural shampoo is not only healthier for you, but also a lot better for the environment
- Irritation, allergic reactions or itching will be a thing of the past
- In the long run, your hair will no longer get dandruff because your scalp is made healthy
- Your hair will be less greasy
- Your hair will be healthier, shinier and fuller in the long run
Switch to a natural shampoo
Now for the tricky part, the part that makes some people give up. Namely, you have to have some patience to switch to a natural shampoo. Your shampoo will not react like a chemical shampoo. Because you get little lather, you often take 3x as much shampoo and this is not necessary at all. The shampoo does its job, you just don't see it so well.
You also have to understand that your hair and scalp are doing a real detox. It is possible that your hair will feel drier or that you will get dandruff. But take our word for it: push through for a while. Your scalp and hair will become healthy again the longer you keep trusting your natural shampoo. In the end, you won't have chemical shit in your hair and your scalp will get back to slurping down that superfood smoothie in your shampoo.
Tips to make the switch to natural shampoo easier
To give you extra confidence in switching from regular shampoo to natural shampoo, we have some tips for you.
- Mix your old shampoo with your natural shampoo. This way, the transition is more gradual and you are less likely to experience crazy side effects like dandruff or a dry cut
- First, rinse your hair 2x as long as you are used to. Because you don't see any foam, it's possible you haven't washed all the shampoo out of your hair, so continue rinsing for a little longer!
- Brush your hair daily. That way you spread the natural oils of your hair giving it more opportunity to absorb the healthy ingredients in a natural shampoo.
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Start using a natural conditioner to condition your hair with nourishing ingredients.
Our favorite natural shampoos
Of course, we have quite a few natural shampoos! What is the best natural shampoo depends on your own preferences. One man wants a vegan shampoo and the other a natural anti-hair loss shampoo. So look mainly at your own preferences.
But, as you would expect from us, we also have our own favorites. And how silly would it be if we didn't share them with you?
1. Hanz de Fuko Natural Shampoo
Made from pure plant extracts with more than 10 amino acids. This organic shampoo will make your hair extremely healthy with a healthy, natural shine. Your hair will become stronger, thicker and more manageable.
2. Shear Revival Loom Shampoo
This nourishing, gentle and moisturizing shampoo will ensure a healthy scalp and hair. Your scalp will be soothed while promoting hair elasticity in the meantime. This shampoo will help prevent dandruff and repair damaged hair.
3. Doers of London Shampoo
This organic shampoo is formulated to strengthen your hair, give it a natural shine and make your scalp healthy. By natural shampoo without chemicals is suitable for all hair and skin types.
If you still have questions about using natural shampoos, please feel free to contact us. We would love to help you find the perfect natural shampoo. You know where to find us!
Good luck my lads,
Your friends, The Alpha Men