There are lots of ‘natural’ shampoos on the market to choose from – or so it seems. At least there are many that use the word ‘natural’ in their marketing campaigns and on their labels. But when you read the ingredients of most brand name ‘natural’ shampoos, you will usually find a long list of chemicals that you can’t pronounce.
For example, researchers at the National Institutes of Health report finding a correlation between MIT (methylisothiazoline) and nervous system disorders. While it’s true that finding a correlation does not mean that MIT definitely causes neurological damage, why take that chance when the researchers are still in the process of doing their studies? Here are some ways to find safer ‘natural’ shampoos instead.
Organic shampoos
This is where the difference between ‘natural and ‘organic’ makes a big difference. The FDA does not regulate ‘natural’ cosmetic ingredients unless it’s after the fact of someone starting a law suit. But ‘organic’ products are regulated and the labels have to mean what they say. So when you read an organic shampoo label with all plant-based ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, organic aloe vera, jojoba oil and rosemary oil you can fee secure that the ingredients really are natural.
Natural shampoo bars
Shampoo bars are what the cleaning agents in shampoo look like when they’re not suspended in a bottle full of water. The reason shampoo bars are a better choice for natural shampoo is that when the cleansers are in a solid form, they don’t need as many preservatives to prevent bacteria and mold from forming as they do when water is added.
SLS-free shampoo
SLS, or sodium laurel sulfate is usually added to brand name shampoos to create all of that sudsy lather that makes you think that the shampoo is working hard. But the lather is not necessary for cleaning. And the SLS is really an industrial degreaser that’s used to wash cars and garage floors. So make sure your natural shampoo is SLS-free.