Organic shampoos remove dirt and oil from your hair without placing dangerous chemicals on your skin. Their essential oils and fragrances are created without herbicides or pesticides. Some are safe enough to be edible. They supply your follicles and scalp with nutrients and natural vitamins.
Your scalp is soft and permeable. Chemicals pass through it into your bloodstream. Some will accumulate in your tissues and remain there indefinitely. You are what you shampoo.
The oils and fragrances in organic shampoos derive from nature, not from stainless steel vessels in chemical plants. They are
The next time you shop for hair care products it's worth a moment to read the list of ingredients.
What's in Regular Shampoo?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - SLS is the foaming agent in commercial shampoos. SLS is an anionic surfactant, a type of chemical used to break up oily residues. Garages employ SLS to degrease engines, and to clean their floors. Car washes apply SLS for similar purposes.
Commercial shampoo manufacturers subject SLS to a process called ethoxylation. This converts Sodium Lauryl Sulfate into Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and can yield 1,4-dioxane as a contaminating byproduct. 1,4-dioxane is an estrogen mimic and a principal ingredient in Agent Orange.
SLS is a caustic agent. It is a skin irritant, and will damage your hair each time that you use it.
Parabens - preservatives commonly used in the manufacture of cosmetics. Parabens also behave as estrogen mimics.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) - a main ingredient in brake fluid. Some inkjet printers use it as a solvent to keep their jets clear.
If you've used commercial shampoos for years, these agents are in your tissues now. If you wish to eliminate them, you must change your hair care practices.
What's in Organic Shampoo?
Natural factors only. There are many recipes. Common ingredients include
Tea Tree Oil - or melaleuca oil. Produced on the coast of New South Wales, tea tree oil is a traditional aboriginal medicine. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is particularly effective against Staphylococcus.
Coconut Oil - like tea tree oil it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconut oil is also believed to be an immune system stimulant.
Beta Glucans - derived from yeasts or medicinal mushrooms, beta glucans are natural and effective immune system stimulants.
Aloe Vera - a universally popular skin care agent. Aloe vera is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Organic shampoos don't use synthetic foaming agents like SLS, so your hair won't be as sudsy when shampooing. What you get instead is a safer, healthier, and more natural cleanliness.
Most organic product retailers stock organic shampoos and conditioners. You can also choose from an wide range of organic websites.
