How to Read the Ingredients List for Natural Shampoo

You may use natural shampoo for many reasons. People like to use shampoos that they feel are “green.” Others feel that their hair remains healthier when the wash it with natural ingredients. Natural shampoo products are often easier on dyed hair. Also people prefer to use natural body washes and natural shampoos.

But some companies use the word natural in a deceptive way. Occasionally it does simply mean natural ingredients. Natural ingredients are just about anything derived from nature. This means that your shampoo could possibly have just a few natural ingredients and many unnatural ones. Generally a few preservatives or dyes can be okay. If you do have sensitive skin though you could have more trouble with colors and fragrances. Serious problem ingredients often undo the benefits of natural ingredients.

Keep a close eye out for lauryl- and laureth sulfate. This is the ingredient that makes shampoo foamy. However, it also will strip your hair. The result is hair that becomes brittle and weak over time. Also, it will destroy color treatments. Lightened and dulled hair is the result of excessive lauryl sulfate use. Always avoid anything with the words laureth or lauryl sulfate.

Also, you should keep an eye out for sulfur and sulfides. These are quite common in dandruff shampoos. You could argue that sulfur is natural. But in some cases it can actually cause dandruff. If you use a sulfur based shampoo, keep it out of your eyes. You might also get hair that is drier than usual.

Really natural shampoos have some characteristics in common:

* They have few ingredients - Most shampoos are made of largely artificial ingredients. Natural shampoos tend to have just a soap base and a few other ingredients.

* You get little foam with natural shampoo - This is because foam is caused by unnatural agents.

* They may contain ingredients that you would see in your kitchen - You might see items like apple cider vinegar, herbs and even baking soda. Some people actually just use baking soda and vinegar to wash their hair.

If you have perfect hair already, then stick with your current plan! But if you are looking for a new natural shampoo then be sure you are getting the real deal. The secret ingredients can seriously damage your hair. Always be sure that your natural shampoo is the real deal before you start washing your hair.