Not all shampoos are created equal—and some might be doing more harm than good. While shampoo is meant to cleanse and nourish your scalp, certain formulas contain harsh ingredients that can actually weaken hair strands, strip natural oils, and irritate the scalp. Over time, this can lead to increased shedding, thinning, and even bald spots. Experts warn that being mindful of what’s in your haircare routine is key to maintaining healthy, full hair.
Read on for tips, suggestions, and insight from dermatologists Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, medical director of MDhair; Dr. Elaine Kung, MD, FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology; and Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, writer at My Eczema Team.
We also checked in with hair experts and stylists, including Ghanima Abdullah, cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles; Dr. Rebecca Hilton, hair expert at J-Beauty, Lauren Udoh, hairstylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports, Jean Will, co-founder of NiaWigs Inc.; and Shandi Nichelle, founder and CEO of Freewell.
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1. Silicones
Silicones, commonly found in shampoos, are often portrayed as beneficial due to their ability to enhance shine and gloss.
However, Factor stresses, their detrimental impact on scalp health should not be ignored, as they can stifle its ability to receive necessary nourishment. "Silicones in shampoo can cause hair loss by coating the scalp so that nutrients cannot be absorbed," she warns.
2. Parabens
The presence of parabens in shampoos may lead to a host of hair-related issues, Factor tells us. These include "dryness and scalp irritation" as well as "fading hair color and hair loss."
Since they are "generally unsafe," she says, "it is best to avoid parabens until proven otherwise."
3. Sodium Chloride
According to Harth, sodium chloride, a frequent component of mass-produced shampoos, is not recommended for women who are experiencing hair loss or thinning.
Commonly used to thicken shampoos and conditioners, it can "dry the scalp, causing redness and itching," Harth notes, and this scalp irritation can "damage hair follicles and cause more hair loss."
4. Sulfates
Having already thin, fine, and delicate hair and adding harsh sulfate-based products can exacerbate or worsen hair loss, Udoh explains. “This harsh detergent, sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS], is a common ingredient in shampoos and conditioners and is known to strip away natural oils, leaving hair feeling dry, brittle, and damaged,” she says. This ingredient in conditioners can “also cause scalp irritation and hair loss.”
Will agrees and adds that sulfates “are one of the most detrimental” ingredients that may be found in popular conditioners. “Surfactants such as sulfates are used to remove debris and excess oil from the scalp,” she reiterates. “They can make your hair frizzy and trigger an allergic response in your scalp. Furthermore, when used for lengthy periods of time, they can cause hormone disruption,” she adds.
