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Shampoo is a part of just about everyone’s shower and personal care routine. It’s essential for cleaning hair, removing excess oil, and keeping build-up in check. But what if your morning lather could be doing more harm than good for your hair? The scary truth is, many shampoos contain dangerous ingredients and toxins that strip hair of essential oils needed to build protein, which can be damaging in the long run of your hair’s health.
If you are someone who suffers from hair loss like so many people do, knowing which shampoo ingredients to avoid is crucial. Since reading the label of a shampoo bottle can feel like deciphering a foreign language, I’ll break it down for you!
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If you see formaldehyde listed as an ingredient in your shampoo, do yourself a favor and stop using it immediately. Although formaldehyde is used in many personal care products it’s been linked to cancer and major skin reactions, including hair loss. It has been identified as a human carcinogen and banned by many countries, but not yet by the U.S.
Formaldehyde may be hiding in your shampoo disguised as any of the following: formaldehyde, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal. If you see any of these, it’s time to toss it and find a natural alternative.
The good news is, there are so many formaldehyde-free shampoo options that won’t compromise your hair growth goals. Here are some that will help clean your strands and keep them protected:
Not Your Mother's Royal Honey & Kalahari Desert Melon Repair + Protect Shampoo ($8.79)
VERB Ghost Shampoo™ ($16)
AMIKA 3D Volume and Thickening Shampoo ($20)
Neutrogena Anti Residue Shampoo ($4.74, down from $4.99)
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo ($12.63)
