These Natural Shampoos Are The Cleaner, Greener Alternative To Mainstream Formulas
byC Mandler
Updated:
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Amazon/Bustle
With all the attention being paid to the skin care ingredients we put on our faces, isn't it time we become just as conscious about what we put on our heads? If you're interested in committing to a cleaner, greener beauty routine, investing in one of the best natural shampoos is a good place to start.
One shampoo ingredient to be on the lookout for is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent found in many household products like soaps, industrial cleansers, and toothpaste. While many reports linking SLS to various types of cancer are relatively unsubstantiated, it's been proven that SLS, even in low concentrations (anything under 2 percent is considered "safe" for human use) can be irritating to skin and eyes. SLS is also known to be drying, and, when found in shampoos, can strip hair of color, which is why shampoos that are formulated for dyed or chemically-treated hair are always (or at least, should be) sulfate-free.
How to tell if a shampoo is truly "natural?"
When looking for natural beauty products, it's important to remember that "natural" doesn't actually mean anything in terms of marketing. Cosmetics, skin care, and hair care companies are under no obligation to fulfill any specific criteria in order to list a product as "natural." For example, a product can contain mostly chemical ingredients and only one plant-based ingredient, yet still list itself as "natural." That's why why it's so important to make sure you're an ingredients-savvy shopper who knows which companies are implementing their own specific regulatory standards that ensure the quality of their particular products. Across the board, however, if a beauty product is certified as organic by organizations like ECOCERT, The Soil Association, COSMOS, and the USDA — or, if it's been certified by the EWG or NATRUE — you can probably trust that it's safe (or "natural", if you will).
Below, you'll find a list of natural shampoos from reputable brands that are honest in their ingredient lists and create safe products for your hair. Read on to find out which natural shampoo is best for your specific hair type.