We all know that shampoo is designed to keep our hair clean and smelling lovely, well that’s the idea anyway, but not the full story. Shampoos do not feed, resuscitate, enliven or revive hair. They can't, for the simple reason that hair is not alive. Most are filled with chemicals that aren't any good for our skin or our planet. Since they come into contact with our skin, and get washed down our drains, these are important things to think about!
The main ingredient in a shampoo which is intended to carry out the cleaning is a degreaser also known as a surfactant such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) or similar family.
So why use a detergent on hair?
Detergents are very effective at removing grease and grime in cold water, and do not produce a scum unlike soap which was commonly used up until the 20th century.
The main environmental problem with detergents is that they can get into water courses as was discovered when sewerage treatment facilities were encountering problems because of this. The natural bacteria used to break down the effluent was not fully breaking down the compounds found in detergents and they were remaining in the processed water. This non biodegradable residue was then leaking into the water course. The chemistry of this is for another day, but needless to say that this is a huge issue to say the least, even today!
Shampoo’s contain far more ingredients than degreasers alone. There are also preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners, and colour additives, foam boosters, perfumes, to name but a few. Many with far reaching health and environmental problems to consider for the long term.
So what is the alternative?
Being kinder to your skin and the environment is more possible now than ever before, so I have rounded up a brief review on some of the available alternatives.
You decide which is best for you. Thankfully today there are many alternatives to choose from, whether it be to choose a less harsh shampoo, or you prefer to go the whole hog and really get back to nature.
Here are a few of the natural alternatives:
Naked Detox Deep Cleanse Shampoo
Manufactured by Naked Bodycare
Ingredients:Manufactured by Naked Bodycare
Aqua, Sodium cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Lauryl polyglucose, Sodium chloride, Sodium cocyl glutamate, Sodium lauryl glucose carboxyylate, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Parfum, Citric acid, Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf extract, Rumex acetosella (sorrel) leaf extract, Linalool, Limonene, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium benzoate, Pottasium sorbate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium chloride, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate, Methylisothiazolinone.
· 250ml £3.91
· Available direct online and Boots
· No SLS, Petrochemicals, or Parabens
· Packaging: 100% Post Consumer Waste
· Not Organic
· Full range of products available
Overview: 4.5/5
I didn’t expect to like this product as all too often the hype hides a multitude of skin and earth sins. The thing I liked best was the ingredients list. I agree there are some undesirables but to produce a shampoo which lasts on store shelves and works the way we expect shampoos to work these days it scores very highly.
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Faith in Nature Organic Seaweed Shampoo
Manufactured by Faith Products Ltd
Ingredients:Manufactured by Faith Products Ltd
Aqua (Water from the Lake District), Ammonium laureth sulphate, Sodium chloride, Polysorbate 20, Citrus limonum (Lemon Oil), Citrus aurantifolia (Lime Oil), Cananga odorata* (Ylang ylang oil), Ascophyllum Nodosum (seaweed extract), Melaleuca alternifolia, Aroma (natural), Sodium citrate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
· 400ml £3.90
· Available direct online and Health Food Stores
· No SLS, Petrochemicals, or Parabens
· Packaging: PET
· Some organic ingredients
· Full range of products available
Overview: 3/5
I have used FiN products on and off for some time now, and was impressed with their formulations. However, every time I give the shampoo another go I find that it does leave my hair with a straw like appearance and it does tend to become greasy quickly afterwards.
I can handle less foam, but not tangled greasy hair!
I also find that although Ammonium laureth sulphate or ALS is a less harsh surfactant than SLS it is still to harsh for my skin and would prefer to see a kinder alternative.
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Lush Hard Shampoo Bars
Manufactured by Lush Ltd
Manufactured by Lush Ltd
Ingredients:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Cetearyl Alcohol (&) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glyceryl Stearate (&) PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Perfume, Hibiscus Extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Stearic Acid, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimide, Camellia Oil (Camellia japonica), Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Organic Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia ternifolia), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), Cypress Oil (Cupressus sempervirens), Palmarosa Oil (Cymbopogon martini), Jasmine Flowers (Jasminum officinale), Lanolin, Cocamide DEA, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.
· Various Bars £3.43 - £5.14
· Available from Lush stores and online
· Vegan Society Registered
· Contain SLS, Perfumes, Petrochemicals
· Packaging None
Overview: 2.5/5Having been a big fan since the days of Cosmetics To Go from way back. The best thing I can say about this bar is that Lush have a wonderful website. Their products can be nose stingingly overpowering making entering the shop a precarious venture. The shampoo bars do work well though and are handy for traveling. But for skin are no better than a commercial shampoo product in my opinion. However, the fact that Lush are so well known and easily available makes their work to start people on the road to greener living a great plus point, and a fun place to start for many who first come across the use natural ingredients via their skin care products.
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Some REALLY Natural Alternatives:
Soap
Made using traditional methods is produced in a way that enables the beneficial oils to moisturise the skin.
However, soap of any kind does not work well in hard water areas or in cold water washing. It can leave a residue on the hair which can leave it feeling like straw in some cases. Soap is a biodegradable product, can easily be home made, is very cost effective and versatile, although it can be harsh for very sensitive skin if not very carefully formulated.
Soapnuts and Soapwort
Both of the above contain Saponine a glucoside (sugar associated) which is totally biodegradable and the closest thing available in nature to a foaming surfactant.
However, the suds are not as thick and foamy as artificial later from a detergent but clean very effectively none the less.
After all, the foam does not provide the cleaning action in any case.
Making shampoo this way is the most eco and skin friendly method and the used soapnuts or soapwort can be returned to nature via the compost heap when you have finished.
RECIPES:
Soapnut Shampoo Recipe
Ingredients:
· Fill a saucepan with 1 Ltr water, and boil for 12-15 minutes. Saponin is released into the water you’ll see a light foam appear.
· Remove the soapnut bag, and pour the liquid into an empty bottle.
· Pour liquid over the hair and wash
as normal. STORE IN REFRIGERATOR AND USE WITHIN A WEEK.
Soapwort Shampoo
Ingredients:· 1 1/2 Tbs dried soapwort root, chopped. Place into a cotton bag and tie as above.
THEN Follow instructions as for Soapnut Shampoo above.
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Clay
Cleaning hair with clay is not something we in the western world are accustomed to, but has been used throughout the world for centuries, with great success. Leaving hair shiny, clean and scalp enriched with minerals.Use 2-4 Tbs of chosen clay.
Sprinkle onto 500ml water and allow it to soak up some of the liquid for 20mins minimum.
Stir and apply to scalp. Do not massage into hair like shampoo, or the hair will become tangled.
If you have long hair smooth it down the shaft using a wide toothed comb, and leave for 15-20mins.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water and allow to air dry naturally, if possible.
Bicarbonate of Soda Hair Wash
If you use a lot of hairspray or wax products on your hair, this cleanser is great to clean out all the potentially damaging chemicals and remove product build up.· 6 Tbs Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)
· 250 ml warm water
Combine both ingredients and massage into hair and scalp.
Leave for a couple of minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Bicarbonate of Soda is very effective, but be warned it can leave your hair stripped of oils much the same as normal shampoo.
Best used only occasionally or you have very short hair.
Apple Cider Vinegar makes a fantastic rinse for use after washing, and helps to provide a lush shine to the hair too.
Dont forget to visit www.innocentoils.com for your really natually innocent skin care products.
Enjoy x
