Chemicals to AVOID When Buying Hair Products.

Do you always check the ingredients list of hair products before making a buying decision? Just like your skin, what you apply to your hair or scalp can potentially harm it and even affect your body’s overall health. We want you to know the commonly found harmful chemicals in hair products so you can check your drawers and cabinets to see if you are already using products that contain these toxins. This post will also help you know what to look for when next you go shopping for hair care products. 

Sulfates

Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laurate sulfate are commonly used as foaming and cleansing agents in hair products like shampoos. Although sulfates are effective in getting rid of oil and dirt from your hair, they can also strip your hair and scalp of all the essential natural oils it needs to stay healthy and make it more susceptible to breakage and split ends. Besides, sulfates are known to be eye, lung, and skin irritants. 

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the chemicals you should avoid in hair products. They can dry out your hair, damage delicate hair strands, and cause breakage. When buying hair care products, you should steer clear of names like isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, propanol, and propyl.   

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used to prolong the shelf-life of cosmetics products like shampoos and hair conditioners. However, they have been linked to breast cancers, hormonal imbalance, and hair loss. Parabens can appear on the ingredients list of products as methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, etc. 

Phthalates

Phthalates are the fourth on our list of chemicals to avoid when buying hair products. They are used in hair care products to improve texture and dissolve other ingredients. Phthalates are added to artificial fragrance to make the scent last longer. Some studies suggest that exposure to some kind of phthalates can be harmful to human health. Although it is still in use in America, it is crucial to let you that the Canadian government has banned the use of Phthalates in cosmetics due to the risk it imposes on human health and the environment.

Formaldehyde 

Formaldehyde is another chemical you should avoid in hair products. It is commonly used as preservatives in hair care products. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer in both humans and animals, and it is also known to cause skin and eye irritation. 

Petroleum Jelly and Mineral Oil

They are used as moisturizers in hair products because of their ability to effectively coat your hair and scalp, restore shine, and prevent split ends. However, they contain a significant amount of PAHs (Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons), which are associated with an increased risk of cancer. 

Now that you know some of the chemicals to avoid when buying hair products, don’t forget to check the labels and skim through the ingredients list before making a purchase decision.