When we buy hair care products, we believe it because of what it says on the front of the label. For instance, listing things like moisturizing cream, super hold gel, herbal or all-day shine, but what about the back label?
It is essential to read labels so you know what you are putting on your hair and scalp, but what do all those words on the labels mean?
Well, I cannot say that I know the definition of all those words are nor what those ingredients do, I am a long way from being a chemist, but I can tell you what some of the most commonly used chemicals are and tell you a little about what they do.
The following list is just a few of the most used chemicals:
- Salim lauryl sulfates/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES) – This chemical is made from coconuts and is found in most shampoos as a detergent to create foam or bubbles.
- Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben) – are used to help preserve the product and prevent bacterial growth.
- Propylene glycol – helps to soften the hair and provide moisture to the hair and scalp.
- 1, 4, Dioxane – used to make products less harsh. Usually found in hair dyes.
- Selenium sulfide – is very toxic and used in dandruff shampoos.
- Acrylamide helps hair hold its style by inhibiting its ability to absorb moisture and is considered very toxic.
- Formaldehyde – is found in hair-smoothing products used to straighten hair or smooth out curls, like relaxers.
- Resorcinol – this chemical is found in hair colors and bleaching products.
- Paraffin – (aka crystalline petroleum wax) is used to help bind two or more ingredients.
- Phthalates – a type of plastic found in hair and nail products, helps to soften and moisturize.
Okay, cool, but why do I need to know this?
Our scalp is a part of our skin, and it absorbs the products that we put on it just like the rest of our skin does. So, for example, one study done at Stanford University revealed that when mice were given a vaccine through shampoo, the results were successful, and the vaccine was absorbed through the hair follicles into the bloodstream.
That’s fascinating.
Wait, so does that mean everything I put on my hair gets absorbed through my scalp?
No, it does not. One myth we hear often is that our skin absorbs 60-70% of everything we put on it, and these chemicals end up in our bloodstream. This is not true. If that were the case, we would see things melt into our skin relatively quickly, even water. If these products did enter our bodies in large amounts, then the chemicals found in hair and skincare products would continuously affect us.
But luckily, that is not the case because the skin’s job is not to help aid absorption but rather to filter the toxins out of our bodies. So instead of thinking of our skin like a semi-defective sponge, think of it as more of an elimination system that helps push out toxins rather than absorb them.
A chemical may penetrate the skin/scalp and make its way into deeper layers of the skin but may not be absorbed into the bloodstream. This is partly because some chemicals are too big to enter the bloodstream, even if they penetrate the deepest levels of the skin.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the truth is that each chemical will be absorbed in different rates by different people, and some are small enough to enter the bloodstream rapidly; for example, ethanol (alcohol), but it is not as simple as saying 60-70% of EVERY chemical we use enters the bloodstream.
Okay, now what? Are the chemicals harmful?
Well, in some cases, yes. Some of these chemicals can be absorbed relatively quickly, especially if there are additional chemicals in our bodies that aid the absorption rate of another element. With that said, it is essential to choose your hair and skin care products wisely. These chemicals cause harmful side effects like breast cancer, cancer, and allergic skin reactions (i.e., paraben, propylene glycol, and formaldehyde).
This even applies to some foods we eat, the things we drink (including water), and the air we breathe. Of course, the chemical is different but has unhealthy effects on our body, but that is a topic for another day.
And while it is not ideal to Google every ingredient of each item you buy, especially while standing in the middle of the aisle at your local grocery store. However, it is helpful to know some of the ingredients off-hand, especially the ones you may have an allergic reaction to or make your existing health condition worse.
Memorizing some of the harmful ingredients found in hair care products may make shopping for the right product more straightforward for you. Another way to avoid this harsh chemical is to use all-natural or organic products to ensure that you are nourishing your hair and skin with things that are good for you.
Natural or organic hair care products are healthier for your hair, have better overall health, and are animal and earth-friendly. Also, using products that are labeled USDA Certified Organic will help avoid pitfalls with companies that use wording like “herbal” yet still put harmful toxins in their products.
Is knowing what is in your hair care products vital to you? Let me know in the comments below: