Shampoo Review
We all know that shampoo is designed to keep our hair clean and smelling lovely... well that’s the idea anyway, but it’s 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 shampoos 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 a similar product from the same 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 used to be commonly used for washing hair.
The main environmental problem with detergents is that they can get into waterways. This was discovered when sewerage treatment facilities were encountering problems when the natural bacteria used to break down the effluent was not fully breaking down the compounds found in detergents. This non-biodegradable residue was then leaking into the water system. The chemistry of this is for another day, but needless to say, this is a huge issue.
Shampoos contain far more ingredients than degreasers alone. Preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners and colour additives, foam boosters, perfumes to name but a few. Many also have far reaching health and environmental problems to consider.
So what is the alternative?
Being kinder to your skin and the environment is easier now than ever before, so I have rounded up a brief review of some of the available products. You decide which is best for you. Thankfully today there are many alternatives to choose from, whether it is a less harsh shampoo or, if you prefer, to go the whole hog and really get back to nature.
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Naked Detox Deep Cleanse Shampoo Manufactured by Naked Bodycare Ingredients: 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, Potassium sorbate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium chloride, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate, Methylisothiazolinone. |
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: 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 |
Overview: 3/5 I have used FiN products on and off for some time and was impressed with their formulations. However, every time I give the shampoo another go I find that it leaves 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.
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Lush Hard Shampoo Bars Manufactured by Lush Ltd 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
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Overview: 2.5/5 Having 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 travelling. But for skin they 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 of natural ingredients via their skin care products. |
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 straw-like in some cases. Soap is a biodegradable product, can easily be home made and is very cost effective and versatile, although it can be harsh for very sensitive skin.
Both Soapnuts and Soapwort 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 lather from a detergent but clean very effectively nonetheless. After all, the foam does not provide the cleaning action. 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.
Soap Nut Shampoo
Method
- Put 8-10 soapnuts in a cotton bag, with the drawstring tied.
- Fill a saucepan with 1 litre of 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
Method
- Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of dried soapwort root, chopped, into a cotton bag and tie as before.
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Follow instructions as for Soapnut Shampoo.
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. It leaves hair shiny and clean and the scalp enriched with minerals.
Method
- Use 2-4 tablespoons of chosen clay (Rhassoul clay is lovely, as is Betonite, Kaolin or Green clay – all available online).
- Sprinkle onto 500ml water and allow it to soak up some of the liquid for at least 20 minutes.
- Stir and apply to the 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 15-20 minutes.
- 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.
Method
- 6 tablespoons of 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 that it can leave your hair stripped of oils much the same as normal shampoo. Best used only occasionally or if you have very short hair.
By Helen James (aka Indica Mama)
Photo Shampoo baby (c)TedsBlog 2006 - www.everystockphoto.com
Our affiliate merchant GREENPEOPLE sell lots of organic and fairtrade beauty products, and AMAZON have lots of books for sale around this subject. The Big Green Idea is paid a commission if you choose to buy via our links. These are not recommendations by the author and are chosen purely to give a representation.
17 Jan 09
