shampoo

 

Shampoo is generally made by combining a surfactant, most often sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, with a co-surfactant, most often cocamidopropyl betaine in water.

Common ingredients in shampoo include:

• surfactants
• foaming agents
• conditioners
• thickeners
• opacifiers
• sequestering agents
• preservatives
• special additives
• fragrance

Common shampoo thickeners include:

• cetyl alcohol
• stearyl alcohol
• carnauba wax
• xanthan gum
• gelatin
• stearic acid

Natural shampoo ingredients

A shampoo is considered natural when it’s sulfate-free and includes organic and plant-based ingredients.

Instead of synthetic ingredients, natural shampoos commonly contain essential oils, fruit extracts, botanicals, and certified-organic ingredients.

Ingredients that are plant-based are generally considered mild, including seed oils and fruit extracts. They’re less likely to disrupt the hair and scalp’s natural pH and oil balance.

Still, be sure to test for allergies before using an ingredient you may be sensitive to.

Natural ingredients to look for:

• plant oils, such as jojoba oil, geranium, and argan oil
• organic green tea
• aloe
• chamomile
• coconut oil
• organic honey
• bergamot essentials oils
• olive
• organic hemp
• root extracts, such as burdock root
• fruit extracts, such as star anise
• essential oils, such as peppermint, lavender, and lemon

Shampoo ingredients for specific needs

Modern-day shampoos have gone well beyond containing simple cleaning agents. They now incorporate ingredients to target specific issues or hair types.

Hair loss and thinning hair

Hair loss or hair thinning can be caused by a variety of reasons. There are multiple shampoo ingredients to look for depending on the source of the issue.

Phyto-caffeine has been shownTrusted Source to help reduce hair thinning, especially for female pattern baldness.

Minoxidil is an FDA-approved ingredient for treatment of hair loss when used as a 2 percent topical solution.

Niacin (vitamin B-3) can help improve circulation, which increases the flow of nutrients to hair follicles, and helps with hair growth and fullnessTrusted Source.

Animal studies have suggested lavenderTrusted Source and peppermint oilTrusted Source may be effective for hair growth, but more research is needed to confirm whether this works for humans.

To prevent environmental damage, the amino acid histidine absorbs excess copperTrusted Source from hair, which helps to shield it from UVA and UVB damage.

Beneficial shampoo ingredients for thinning hair include:

• phyto-caffeine
• minoxidil
• niacin
• histidine
• essential oils like lavender and peppermint may help, but more research is needed

Beneficial shampoo ingredients for straight hair:

• coconut oils
• soybean
• almond
• sunflower
• vitamins B5, C, and E
• proteins
• keratin

Beneficial shampoo ingredients for dry hair include:

• mild cleansing agents
• silicone
• oils
• glycerin
• two-in-one shampoos with silicone

Dandruff

Dandruff shampoos commonly contain fungicides that kill fungi and reduce loose dander. Fungicides include ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, and selenium disulfide.

For those looking to avoid synthetic fungicides, look for natural ingredients such as tea tree oil or herbal extracts.

Beneficial shampoo ingredients for dandruff include:

• fungicides like ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, and selenium disulfide
• natural fungicides like tea tree oil

Oily scalp

Those with an oily scalp or hair produce excess sebum from overactive sebaceous glands.

Look for shampoos that contain lauryl sulfates or sulfosuccinates for a deep clean.

Too many conditioning agents should also be avoided, as these can contribute to an abundance of oil, even after a wash.

Shampoos with natural ingredients like tea tree oil are also worth a try. Synthetic ingredients may throw off the scalp’s natural sebum production and increase oil production.

Beneficial shampoo ingredients for oily scalps:

• deep cleansing agents
• natural ingredients
• minimal conditioning agents

Takeaway

There are many shampoos on the market that each come with a unique formula full of different, and usually long-named, ingredients.

For best results for your hair, opt for natural, organic, and plant-based ingredients and try to avoid sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, hexachlorophene, and phthalates.

Get to know your hair type and what ingredients work best for it — you’ll thank yourself for it with healthy, shiny locks.