Beauty hacks have been shared for centuries , like the Ancient beauty secrets that people draw wisdom from today.
Hair hacks are no exception. There are hundreds of accounts on TikTok devoted to helping women attain their healthiest and silkiest hair ever . But not every piece of advice should be taken as fact.
Here are the five toxic shampoo chemicals you want to avoid.
The first one up is sulfate.
It’s a foaming agent that causes your shampoo to later when you mix it with water. While this gives the illusion that your hair is getting cleaned, it’s actually stripping the hair of natural oils and color.
Not cool, sulfate!
You might be surprised to learn that foam is actually not needed in shampoo.
That’s why sulfate-free shampoo never foams up in the shower. This can take some getting used to when you’ve been buying drugstore shampoo all your life.
The next toxic ingredient to avoid is parabens.
This is a preservative that’s used to extend the shelf life of your shampoo. That’s good for your wallet, but bad news for your hair, as it can strip the color out of your hair and contribute to dryness and irritation.
In addition to hair care products, parabens are found in sunscreen, lotions, makeup, and deodorants.
It’s been found that parabens even affect the level of estrogen in the body. Studies have been done to determine if this leads to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Triclosan is the third chemical to avoid.
This is a chemical that was originally developed as an antibacterial ingredient in surgical scrubs.
It’s been added to shampoo to prevent bacterial contamination. It’s often found in pet shampoos as it helps reduce “doggie odor.”
Like parabens, it may contribute to cancer risk.
A 2014 study found that it may lead to liver cancer in mice. Since these risks became known, the ingredient has been disappearing from the market. In 2015, Johnson & Johnson removed it from all of its products.
The fourth toxic ingredient is benzene.
Dr. Alexander Dane, a New Jersey-based board-certified plastic surgeon, told Insider that it’s a “known human carcinogen that may have contaminated Procter & Gamble’s shampoos products in 2021, leading to a recall.” Not good.
It’s a colorless and flammable liquid — aka something that shouldn’t be in our hair.
The threat of this chemical is so serious that exposure has been linked to various cancers, including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow.
Finally, the last chemical to avoid on your next wash is formaldehyde.
This is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. “Formaldehyde is a great preservative. That’s why formalin (the liquid form of formaldehyde) is used to preserve cadavers that med students use in their anatomy courses,” Papri Sarkar, M.D. , a dermatologist told Shape .
You’ll want to check the labels of your haircare products, as some companies still use the known carcinogen.
In addition to shampoos, it’s been found in soap, baby shampoo, nail polish, and nail polish removers. Where does it end?
Looking to go the natural route? You’ll still want to be careful with certain ingredients.
Dr. Dane told Insider to avoid baking soda, too much castor oil, and lemon juice . All can have negative effects on the hair, such as stripping it and leaving it brittle.
Try rice water, chickpea flour mixed with milk, and eggs instead.
