The Hidden Dangers lurking in your Shampoo

What is in your shampoo and why is it bad?

Sometimes people give me a strange look when I tell them how important it is to question things. There is this huge stigma that you have to blindly follow what your are told or mandated. People have told me that when I ask questions I am “rocking the boat,” however the why is super important to me and it should be to you as well. I can almost guarantee you that if you have a question there is at least one other who has that exact same question. With that being said I will be starting a series called, “What and why” to research and answer questions about common things we use in our lives on a regular basis. I feel like as consumers we should demand a higher standard for any product that we use and should demand that things we spend our money on arent poisons.

Today, we are going to break down the ingredients in our shampoo, define what the super long chemical name is and explain in lay man's terms why it is bad.

In case you didnt know this your hair is actually no longer alive, its dead, the visible part that is. The part that is alive is the follicle underneath the scalp that is fed by tiny blood vessels. While hair is somewhat of a superficial bodily accessory its purpose is to keep your head warm and therefore is normally longer and more corse then the rest of the hair on your body. So while the visible part of the hair has no biochemical activity, the alive part (shaft) needs vital nutriets to keep it alive. Did you know that;

1. Dull hair color and/or dry scalp is a result of not enough vitamin B12, iron, protein and omega-3 fatty acids

2. To encourage your body to create a good balance of natural hair conditioner you need vitamins C & A (whih are found in dark, leafy green vegatables)

3. If your hair is brittle if could be a result of not enough Biotin. Biotin is also known as Vitamin B7 and is used by the body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. Over time, poor metabolism of nutrients can contribute to undernourished hair follicle cells.

4. If you are shedding a lot of hair you could have a suboptimal zinc intake. If you combine zinc and selenium (and maybe some calcium) the nutrients can help make your scalp healthy and limit hair loss.

Based on my research I have discovered that hair health is based mostly on nutrition, as evidenced by these statements above, the health and growth of our hair directly correlates to the vitamins and nutrients in our body. So factors related to genetics, dieting and stress can relate to poor hair health. While hair is the fastest growing natural tissue in our body, growing on average 1 cm per month it has been shown that hair products do not noticeably change this rate. Why? Because the health of our hair is related to the health of our body. The most important thing to remember is that hair is not alive, it has no circulatory system and cannot metabolize anything, which means that anything you put on the “dead” part of your hair has no affect when applied topically.

Therefore it would lead me to conclude that even though there are super expensive hair products out there that claim their specially formulated product delivers vitamins and other nutrients to your hair is a lie. Stop wasting money on outlandish products.

By breaking down the chemical composition of these shampoos that we are putting on our hair remember that they are also touching our skin, the skin on our hands, our scalp and the rest of our body as we wash them out. How much of these chemicals are then being absorbed into our skin and being circulated through out body.

I have a bottle of aussie mega moist that I am specifically referencing for the ingredients but as you will notice, most of these ingredients are the same or very similar across the board. Also remember that the ingredients are listed in order of how much is used. Meaning the first ingredient will be the base and each additional ingredient will have a smaller quantity in the overall formula.

• Water: this one is self explainatory, however depending on where they get their water from or if it is filtered this may contain additional chemicals

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Commonly known as SLS, an inexpensive chemical that is used as a detergent and surfuctant (breaks surface tensions for product and your hair) which creates a lathering effect. Note this chemical is used in industrial cleaning for engine degreasers and industrials strength detergents as well as a used to cause skin irritation when testing skin healing products. SLS has been linked to eye irritation and poor eye development and even at low levels this chemical can be absorbed through the skin. Several studies have indicated that this chemical can stay in our system for 4-5 days. That means that even if you only wash your hair every 2-3 days you still have this chemical in your system circulating through your blood. And therefore because of the residual levels it can be stored in the tissue of your brain, lungs, lives and heart. There have even been findings that show a direct link to hormone imbalance and a lower rate of male fertility because of the build up of this chemical in our blood stream can reach unsafe levels. Expose to this chemical can also result in protein denaturing which reduces or eliminates the cell's ability to heal itself. Because of the bridge that is formed between the fat and water soluble portions at a cellular level based on the chemical structure this can lead to irreversible destruction. And this is only the 2nd ingredient and we are washing ourselves with this on a daily-semi weekly basis!

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Also knows as SLES and is a super concerning chemical in our shampoos. This chemical can be contaminated with Dioxane during the manufacturing process. Why is that concerning? Because Dioxane is a suspected carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue). This ingredient is derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol and is used a surfactant (cleansing/foaming/emulsifying). This is a milder cleanser then the above listed sodium lauryl sulfate due to the chemical structure. This chemical has a higher amount of fatty alcohols making it slightly less of a skin irritatant however remember in this shampoo it is being mixed with sodium lauryl and has a possibility of being contaminated with cancer causing dioxane. Do you really want to try this out on your body?

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine: This is a man made synthetic surfactant and has been associated with skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis. Do you want a skin irritant and chemical that can cause an allergic reaction on your scalp, hands and the rest of your skin and you wash it out of your hair? Why would they use this terrible ingredient? Apparently the risks outweigh the “rewards” if you could call it that. Cocamidopropyl Betanie helps with static, conditioning, cleansing, foam boosing and increases the volume of the water in the formula.

• Glycol Distearate: This is a white to cream colored waxy solid that is used to condition the skin, increase the volume/thickness of the shampoo, and to give the shampoo that “pearlizing” look. This chemical can either be derived from animal or vegetable sources or produced synthetically with stearic acid. This chemical is also made from ethylene glycol which is used to make antifreeze, de-icing solutions for cars and planes, hydraulic brake fluids, lacquers, resins, wood stains, synthetic waxes and more. So as a recap this is a chemical that gives the appearance of health to the shampoo.

• Sodium Citrate: This is normally used as either a flavoring food additive or a preservative. When used in food you might know it as the “sour salt” on candy or may have seen it in the ingredient list for your club soda. It allows spherification or reduction of acidity. This is an alkalinizing agent used to neutralize excess acid. And it is contraindicated (meaning DO NOT USE) if you have aluminum toxicity, untreated Addison disease, low or no urnine production, high blood potassium, congestive heart failure, heart damage, severe kidney problems or if you are dehydrated. Holy cow!!!! I know that this chemical is probably in a small dose and used as a perservative but why would you want this any where near you. Plus if this item has that much acid that it needs to be neutralized why would you want it near you at all.

• Cocamide Mea: This is a compound synthesized from coconut oil and ethanolamine (a medication that treats bleeding from your esophagus and is used as a surfactant, fluorimetric reagent, and used to remove CO2 and H2S from natural gas) This chemical is used for volume boosting, cleansing and foam boosting. BEWARE nitrosamples can form when MEAs are created. Nitosamples are cancernogens and can cause organ system toxicity. This doesnt mean that all MEAs have nitrosamples but there is a fairly high chance for nirosample contamination when creating MEAs. Would you want to risk this? Is the risk of using a shampoo that may contain carcinogens really worth it?

• Sodium Xylenesulfonate: This is another surfactant/cleansing agent and can also thicken the formula of the shampoo. This chemical can be in concentrations of up to 10%. This apparently has caused “mild” concern for organ system toxicity and skin & eye irritation. There were multiple studies done on this chemical that was shown to cause liver effects and skin irritations in high doses. It makes me wonder what “mild” means and if this chemical also has a residual effect in our system the way Sodium Lauryl Sulfate does ultimately creating a higher then safe level of this chemical.

• Fragance: The word "fragrance" or "parfum" on the product label represents an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants such as diethyl phthalate. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.

• Dimethicone: Also called polymethylsiloxane, is a silicon-based polymer used as a lubricant, anti-foaming and conditioning agent. It also makes the product more easily spreadable. It prevents water loss by forming a hydrating barrier on the skin. Because of the barrier it creates, it is often used to protect the skin from sodium lauryl sulfate (the 2nd ingredient in this shampoo) This chemical has moderate concern for organ system toxicity and is suspected to be an ecotoxin.

• Citric Acid: This is one of the most common food additives in use today. It is an organic acid that is found in all aerobic living organisms, most abundantly in citrus fruit. It has been used as a perservative, sour flavoring and an emulsifying agent. Though it is an organic substance and commonly found in fruit, more recently it has been made from feeding sugars to black mold and then processed using sulfuric acid. This ingredient is also found in kitchen cleaners and does a great job removing mineral deposits from chrome.

• Sodium Benzoate: This is a preservative commonly used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is used as a fragrance ingredient as well as a preservative due to its anticorrosive properties. There is limited evidence that this chemical may cause non reproductive organ system toxicity. There is also limited or incomplete data regarding its effects as a carcinogen. SERIOUSLY?! The fact that this may contribute to organ toxicity and may be a carcinogen doesnt raise concern for anyone? The fact that there is a question on its safety should lead us, as consumers, to demand a product that doesnt have question marks behind it. And this product is used not only in this shampoo but it our food as well!!! Why are we not outraged that we allow businesses to sell us items that may cause harm to our health.

• Sodium Chloride: Also known as table salt, it acts as a natural preservative. In its use for beauty products it can increase the volume of the shampoo. In shampoos it can be drying and has been shown to reduce the moisture in skin and hair.

• Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: This is a quaternary (4th) ammonium derivative of guar gum (cluster beans). This is used to control static, increase the volume of the shampoo and help condition skin. It has a moderate concern for organ system toxicity.

• Tetrasodium EDTA: EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a chelating agent (a substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion) which decreases the reactivity of metal ions present in the shampoo. There has been limited evidence of eye toxicity, or skin irritation, and is classified as toxic or hamful by the Environment Canada Domestic Substance List. Tetrasodium EDTA is made from Formaldehyde and sodium cyanide. While is is demed to be a “low risk” studies have shown that at high doses it can have reproductive effects. I know that since this is at the bottom of the list it is not a very concentrated quatity however the fact that it is derived from formaldehyde (preservative used in mortuaries, is produced in small amounts by most living organisms during metabolic process) & sodium cyanide (highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that interferes with your ability to use oxygen) does cause me to pause and think about what this may do to my body as it is absorbed by my skin.

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract: This is produced from the leaves of the aloe plant. It is used as an external analgesic (natural pain killer) and skin conditioner. This is the first ingredient (other then water) that is a naturally occuring substance with no side effects that I can tell of and its the 16th ingredient on the list!

• Ecklonia Radiata Extract: So we finally seem to be getting to the “good” ingredients. This is also known as Australian Sea Kelp and is a highly prized seaweed used in hair cair products. This is used to condition hair, however as we know your hair doesnt actually absord anything. I wasnt able to find any side effects for this product, so again the 17th ingredient on the list appears to be healthy though as we determined how your hair grows it is not absorbed by your hair.

• Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) seed Oil: Jojoba oil is extracted from seeds of the desert shrub, Simmondsia Chinensis, which is native to California, Arizona and Mexico. It is used as a hair conditioner. This oil is different from other common plant oils. It is made up of 97% of wax esters of monounsaturated, straight-chain acids and alcohols with high molecular weights making this oil similar to sebum and whale oil. That latter part is a super cool scientific fact that I wasnt aware of but am glad that I now know.

• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: But now we are back to harmful chemicals. This is a widely used preservative that has been associated with allergic reactions. There is a high concern for skin, eye and lung irritation and a lower concern for its ecological effects (it is being washed out down our drains after all) This chemical has been restricted/prohibited from use in Europe, Canada and Japan! Yet we still allow it to be used in products for the U.S. There is also evidence suggesting that this chemical is a Mutagen (a chemical substance that causes genetic mutation)

• Methylisothiazolinone: This is another widely-used preservative that has been associated with allergic reactions. Lab studies on the brain cells of mammals also suggest that this may be a neurotoxin!!! Not to mention it is a skin, eye and lung irritation as well as a harmful chemical for the environment. This substance has been BANNED in the European SCCS, Germany, Canada and Japan. Yet again, as consumers we allow these companies to continue to use harmful chemicals in products we use on ourselves and our children. Where is the outrage. While again, I understand that this chemcial has a small concentration why would you spend your hard earned money on something that has a chemical that is this toxic.

• Yellow 5: This is a synthetic yellow dye primarily used in food coloring. This chemical seems to have many “flawed” tests. There appears to be limited evidence on if its a carnogen, but does appear to be linked to health problems such as blurred vision, migraines, fatigue, anxiety and may cause chromosomal damage though the last one has not been adequately studied. I dont completely understand the purpose of using this dye is used in shampoo.

• Red 33: This is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum or coal tar sources. This dye is known to have carcinogenic. This coal tar dye has also been shown to contribute to ADD, ADHD and asthma. Because of its carcinogenic nature this has been banned from many countries, but again we continue to allow this harmful product to be used on our skin.

After all of this I hope this opens your eyes to how you are spending your money. You may be unknowingly contributing to your own decrease in health. The combination of all of these ingredients makes me question everything I am using. And at some points I use shampoo as a shaving cream/body wash combination! (for those times when I forget to pick some up at the store). I wonder what the health effects are going to be down the road. I wonder why as consumers we dont demand better products. I wonder why this is not well known information. I wonder why we are one of the few countries who allows such harmful chemicals to be used in personal hygiene products. What does this make you wonder? Let me know how this makes you feel. Empower yourself with knowledge and make the conscious choice to buy better products. Companies are only still in business because we as consumers allow them to use cheap and harmful ingredients.

#chemicals #shampoo #shampooingredients