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Eco-friendly hair care

Lather up and spray away with green beauty products!
Vanessa Campisi

Hair beware! Think twice about what you’re rubbing into your scalp or sending down the drain if your products include any of the following ingredients:

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent.

Diethanolamine (DEA), another agent that increases lather.

1,4 Dioxane, found in ingredients with the terms “PEG”, “-xynol”, “ceteareth” “oleth” and many other “eth” ingredients; used as a solvent.

Phthalates (often masked as “fragrance” from the ingredients list), also used as solvents.

Parabens (anything that says methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, or isobutyl), which act as preservatives.

Some of these chemicals are used to increase a product’s lather, others prolong its shelf-life and others still act as solvents. Many conventional hair care products contain these chemicals that, in the long-term, may be harmful to our health. Whatever their use, there are now safer alternatives in the marketplace, so there’s no need to take any chances.

Click NEXT> to see a list of our favourite green hair care products.

Image courtesy istock/quavondo

Comments

You should research these ingredients before passing judgment. Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate and ammonium lauryl sulfates are safe. What most people don't know is that both of these "sulfates" are derived from the natural fat and oil of coconut. They are biodegradable as well as safe for your health. Generally any "natural" shampoo will need to contain atleast one of these because aside from it being a foaming agent, it is a natural surfactant (surfactants are what draws the unwanted dirt and oil away from the hair). The tell-tale sign that your shampoo contains a "bad" sufate is if it says "laureth" in combination with the word ammonium or sodium. Although there are always exceptions to that rule.
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 16:45.
Check out worldSALON in Toronto...not only do they have a natural, plantbased hair and skin products line, their Salon is about as green as can be! Check out worldSALON.ca
Submitted by Kym Klopp (guest) on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 17:43.
MOST haircare products in healthfood stores are still full of questionable ingredients. There are not many companies that are entirely natural. One that is: Miessence. Not sold in stores, but is a MLM company. Do some research on them and especially look them up on the skin deep data base. All their products are amazing!!
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 18:47.
Pretty sure lots of LUSH products still have Sodium Lauryl Sulphates in them, make sure to ask! And don't let anyone tell you that the S.L.S. that *they* use is 'the safe one'...
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 17:49.
I love LUSH - they have a wonderful line of styling gels in a variety of holds and they minimize packaging with solid shampoo bars and even a solid conditioner. Lots of their products are vegan-friendly, too.
Submitted by Angela (guest) on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 16:39.
I recently got introduced to a product call NatureFx. I used their shampoo & conditioner and I felt the difference immediately so i seriously believe products that don't contain nasty chemicals is worth the money!
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 15:48.
Sadly...while Drude is a green product - they do test on animals.. as in rabbits. and therefore I can't support this company.
Submitted by brigitte VK (guest) on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 14:52.
Samson, There are hair products that use Tea Tree Oil (kills the head lice dead). I believe Thursday Plantation has a head lice line thats supposed to be amazing and better than the chemical shampoos you traditionally get. Check your health food store. They will have something for sure.
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:50.
Schwarzkopf Professional launched a new line of hair colour, care & styling products in March 2009. Up to 95% natural ingredient and products are available at salons across Canada.
Submitted by Tawnya Hallman (guest) on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 14:05.
Vanessa - great research! You'll be happy to learn that Salon Pure in Williston is committed to eliminating its clients' exposure to these harsh, cheap chemicals! From hair color to our professional products, we refuse to let these chemicals in our door.
Submitted by Salon Pure (guest) on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 11:46.

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