What's really in the shampoo you use? (Shampoo Ingredients) Let's find out exactly!

When you go to a store, how many types of shampoo are there? Each bottle is beautifully labeled with things like 'makes hair smooth', 'gives a shiny look', 'reduces hair dryness'. When you see these, you really can't figure out which one to choose. When you look at the list of ingredients on the back of the bottle, it gets even more confusing. There are many that are unfamiliar and hard to read... So today, let's talk about what's really inside these shampoo bottles, how they affect our hair, and how to choose the right shampoo for healthy hair.

What are the most common ingredients in shampoo?

When you pick up a bottle of shampoo, you'll probably notice a long list of small letters on the back. It's called the ``International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)`` list. Simply put, this list should list everything that's in the product. You don't need to understand every word on it, but it's worth knowing the main things.

Carrying Agents

These are the first on the INCI list. That means they are the ones that are most present in the shampoo. Their main function is to help the other active ingredients in the shampoo do their job properly. Like a vehicle. The most commonly used carrier is "aqua" or water as we know it. Some shampoos also add alcohols in addition to or instead of water. But you need to be a little careful here. Because some types of alcohol can make your hair dry and brittle. But there are also types of alcohol that are good for your hair.

Thickeners

These are used to give the shampoo a thick consistency. They do not harm the hair. Some of the most common thickening agents are:

• Stearic Acid
• Xanthan Gum
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Stearyl alcohol

Surfactants

You can see these names on many shampoos:

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

Although these sulfates cleanse the hair well, they can strip the hair of its natural oils. So, if you have very dry hair or a sensitive scalp , shampoos containing sulfates can dry it out even more. This is why there are sulfate-free shampoos on the market.

Preservatives

Shampoo, especially because it contains a large amount of water, can grow bacteria or mold over time. `Preservatives` are added to prevent this. `Sodium Benzoate` and `Potassium Sorbate`, which are also used in food, are commonly used for this purpose.

A conversation about parabens...

`Parabens` are also a common preservative in cosmetic products. But there has been a bit of a debate about these in the world lately. Some scientific studies have found that these `Parabens` can act like the hormone estrogen in the body. Therefore, some suspect that they may be linked to conditions such as breast cancer. This is still being researched. You can see names like these on shampoo bottles:

• Methylparaben
• PROPylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Ethylparaben

Emollients

The function of these is to do the opposite of what `Surfactants` do to dry out the hair. That is, they moisturize the hair, making it smooth and shiny. They smooth the outer layer of the hair (cuticle) and reduce the friction between the hair strands.

• Aloe Vera
• Vegetable Oils , e.g. coconut oil, olive oil
• Silicones - The most commonly used of these is dimethicone . This creates a thin film around the hair shaft, giving the hair an instant shiny, smooth appearance.

So, how do you choose a shampoo that suits your hair?

With all this, how do you choose the right shampoo for you? The best way is to think about the nature of your hair .

• If your hair is dry and brittle: Choose a shampoo that is sulfate-free and contains emollients like fatty alcohols, aloe vera, and coconut oil.
• If your hair is oily: A shampoo containing sulfates will provide good cleansing. However, frequent use can dry out your hair, so it's best to alternate between a mild sulfate-containing or sulfate-free shampoo.
• If you have a sensitive scalp: Choose a shampoo that is fragrance, sulfate, and paraben free. Herbal products may be best for this.

About "Natural" or "Organic" Shampoos

There is a huge demand for natural or `organic` products these days. A `natural` shampoo is usually one that is `sulfate`-free, made from herbal ingredients. It may contain things like:

• Essential oils (e.g. peppermint, lavender)
• Certified `Organic` ingredients
• Aloe Vera
• Coconut Oil
• Organic Honey
• Herbal oil (e.g. Jojoba oil)

If you have a skin condition, severe dandruff, or other scalp problem, it's safest to consult your doctor or dermatologist before choosing any shampoo.