So I’m standing in the shampoo aisle at our local Walmart looking for a new shampoo to try. I had previously been using an organic shampoo I bought online and loved, but I wasn’t planning on making an online order soon and I was out.
I was actually really excited to check out all of the new options I’ve seen commercials for. It seems like tons of beauty companies are finally starting to focus on removing toxins from their products and adding more of the good stuff.
However, my excitement was all too short-lived after looking at some of the ingredients in these ” natural” shampoos.
No, I don’t have every toxic ingredient memorized, nor did I stand in the aisle researching every ingredient I came across. I use Think Dirty and if you’ve never heard of it, it’s great!
Think Dirty, Shop Clean is an app you download onto your phone and scan the barcodes of beauty products and it will tell you how toxic that product is on a scale of 0-10. It bases its ratings on the amount of carcinogens, developmental and reproductive toxins, and allergens and immunotoxicities. It also gives you a list of ingredients and their recommendations of comparable products that are better for you. If you’d like more information on Think Dirty and how to use the app, check out 7 Top Apps For Healthy Living.
Now I can honestly say that I don’t exclusively buy products with a “0-3” rating (the least toxic). In an ideal world, I totally would. But, I also have to consider budget and availability, so I typically look for products with a rating under 5, which, realistically, cuts out a lot of toxins you really don’t want.
What I found when I started scanning these new “natural” shampoos is that the majority of them were rated a 9 (10 being the worst), and the reasoning behind a majority of the ratings was reproductive and developmental toxins!
I’m going to share my findings with you so that you can make better choices when buying shampoo and you won’t be by fooled by creative packaging.
**Note: These images are not my own. They are screenshots of the Think Dirty app**
Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo
This was one of the new products I was most excited to try. After all, the commercials make it seem so healthy for you, boasting natural ingredients like honey and coconut water, and the girls in their commercials have gorgeous hair. But what was their rating?
9! For primarily developmental and reproductive toxicity!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to put that on my body, no matter how good the models in the commercial look!
The major ingredient listed for toxicity was Caramel Parfum/Fragrance. The problem with fragrances is that they often contain phthalates and preservatives. Turns out their “Whole Blends” aren’t so whole after all.
OGX Coconut Water Shampoo
The OGX products look amazing and definitely seem like something that would be good for you to put on your hair. Unfortunately, they have much of the same ratings as the Whole Blends.
Their toxic ingredients include fragrance, which we just talked about, but also Diazolidinyl Urea.
Diazolidinyl Urea is used to help substances soak into your skin better, so it would make sense for a moisturizer to include it. However, it’s also a preservative and has been shown to release formaldehyde. If you’ve read any of my articles about toxic beauty products, you know that formaldehyde is a known carcinogen.
Herbal Essences Bio: Renew Naked Volume Shampoo
Herbal Essences was always one of my favorites growing up. I used to LOVE their Hello Hydration shampoo and conditioner. If only I knew then what I know now!
The biggest issue with this particular product is once again, Fragrance, and also Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
Both of these sulfates are used as foaming agents, but the Sodium Laureth Sulfate also contains carcinogens.
Unfortunately, it has been my experience that within any brand, the different variations and scents have similar ingredients, and unfortunately, similar toxins. For example, I also scanned the Argan Oil of Morocco scent and it received a “9” rating as well.
RenPure Biotin and Collagen Shampoo
Although I was not previously familiar with RenPure, the name itself sounded promising. However, it received the same rating as the others I scanned, with basically one concern: developmental and reproductive toxicity.
This one also contains Fragrance and Diazolidinyl Urea, which we already know contains carcinogens.
This shampoo also contains Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, which is an interesting substance. As their explanation reads, it should not be used for products that are to be left on the skin. If you use more than 5%, you risk contamination with nitrosamine, a known carcinogen.
Japan has also restricted the use of this substance in cosmetics because of it’s risks.
L’Oreal Ever Pure Sulfate/Free Color Care System
So I decided to check out a product that claimed to be Sulfate Free. Surely this one would be safe to use…
Not so much.
Not only does it contain Fragrance like the others, but it also contains Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate. It’s used to protect against UVB radiation, so in this case, it is used to protect your hair color from fading.
However, it has been known to disrupt your endocrine system, and mess with your estrogen levels and thyroid activity.
These systems are in control of tons of other functions in your body including your hormones, metabolism and brain activity. Interrupting your estrogen levels is also linked with breast cancer, so it’s best to avoid whenever possible.
Nature’s Gate Shampoo
One would think with a name like Nature’s Gate, it has to be good for you, right? Maybe you know better by now. I was optimistic about this one because it was displayed in a separate spot in the store altogether with other brands I knew were better for you. However, this product just doesn’t compete.
The biggest issue this one has is the Fragrance, which not only contains phthalates, but also can be responsible for hormone disruption.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to have anything else messing with my hormones!
There is hope! I don’t want to leave you feeling like you have no options to choose from. Here are a few options I found that rated better on Think Dirty.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
All of it’s ingredients are perfectly safe to use and the only ones not rated were coconut oil, olive oil, silk protein and aloe. All recognizable ingredients that you know are good for you.
The only downside is that it is a little bit on the pricier side, compared with other products. This approximately 10 oz. container costs about $10, which is a little tough to swallow for those on a strict budget.
Otherwise, I love the product and the company.
EO Everyone Hair Balance Shampoo
It’s rated a 5 because it does contain Phenoxyethanol, which is a preservative used in a lot of cosmetics. It is a potential Neurotoxin, which can suppress the central nervous system, and it’s not recommended to use on infants because it can cause skin irritation.
It also contains grapefruit citrus, which can interfere with certain medications, like Warfarin, so it’s important to check this one with your doctor if you are taking prescription medications.
On the plus side, you get a lot more product for the price with this one. While it still costs about $10, it contains 20 oz. instead of 10, so it’s going to last you a lot longer.
Now it’s your turn! Take a look at your shampoo and see if you have a few changes you can make. If you use any of these products, download the Think Dirty app and they have tons of other options you can buy instead. My best advice would be to do you research and order products online. You can get a much better selection and not be limited by your location. Good luck! Leave a comment below to let me know if you have any favorite natural hair care products!