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<h4>Industry leaders say synthetic ingredients can be cleaner than natural ones, preservatives are a must, and “clean” certifications are not always what they seem.</h4>
<p>If you’re an eco-conscious label-reader who wants to know exactly what is in a product before you buy it, wrapping your head around 'clean' beauty can be confusing. You might believe that 'clean' is synonymous with 'all-natural,' but when you discover that many virtue-signaling products include synthetic ingredients and even preservatives, your heart sinks. How can these brands claim to be clean?&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The Hairstory Sustainable Beauty Summit in April 2021 was a forum for clean beauty leaders to address these issues. Moderated by Jenny Jin, beauty director at Pure Wow, a focus was on consumer misconceptions about ingredients – and what clean really means to them.</p><h5>THE TRUTH ABOUT PRESERVATIVES AND SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS IN COSMETICS AND BEAUTY</h5>
<p>“Synthetic ingredients can be some of the cleanest ingredients; it's all about how they're processed,” explained Hillary Peterson, the CEO, and founder of True Botanicals. “And, natural ingredients can be toxic, depending on exactly that same thing. Was CO2 extracted? Was it cold-pressed? Were there solvents involved in the extraction? For True Botanicals, clean comes down to safety for people and the planet.”</p>

<p>Synthetic ingredients are controversial, and not always rightly so. When Ilia Beauty founder Sasha Plavsic first launched her brand in 2009, she “got some flack” for including synthetics. But as the line grew she noticed that some products' performance was compromised without the relatively consistent nature of synthetics.</p>

<p>“Over the last five years, I started reformulating my products with a mindset of what clean is,” she said. “And I think, overall, it's where the best of natural and the safest of synthetic collide. It's where they meet in the middle. It can be a little bit different for each brand. But in general, it's the collision of the two together where you're creating efficacious products, let's say for the skin. Generally, there's a purpose to protecting the vibe of skin, if it's an active ingredient.”</p>

<p>The same goes for preservatives, which all five panelists agreed are necessary. Whether it’s fermented natural extracts or a chemical compound created in a lab, without preservatives, beauty products could easily spoil or become contaminated.</p>

<p>“You can use phenoxyethanol at a very, very low percentage truly for antimicrobial and antifungal purposes and to hold the product together,” Joe Cloyes, CEO of Youth to the People explained. “You can go in at very low percentages and be safe, but it depends on the pH of the product as well. We're using more of the fermented preservatives right now, again based on the pH of the product and what we're putting in there. Preservatives are controversial, but there are so many options and so many things that go into how you make the product.”</p><h5>BAD BEAUTY INGREDIENTS: IT’S THE BIGGER PICTURE THAT MATTERS</h5>
<p>
As Cloyes indicated, scrutinizing individual ingredients can be misleading; how ingredients work together in a formula should also be considered. But that's not easy to understand unless you’re a chemist or cosmetics expert, and every panelist agreed upon the importance of education for conscious consumers. While the demand for clean beauty has grown, education has lagged.</p>

<p>“We can do better as brands, manufacturers, and labs to contextualize a blend versus a single ingredient,” points out Sarah Lee, co-founder, and co-CEO of Glow Recipe. “There’s of a lot of information out there. Skincare enthusiasts, especially on social media, make very quick conclusions about whether a product is good or bad based on one ingredient or its percentage. And there's a lot of nuance and context behind each and every formulation. So, I do think that there is some work to be done in order to educate. It's not black and white.”</p>

<h5>CERTIFICATIONS – ARE THEY WORTH IT?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>Consumer education should also address the confusion around the many certifications products may receive. One brand might boast MADE SAFE, another may be Clean at Sephora, and in potential greenwashing fashion, a third may have no certification at all even though they claim to be 'green,' 'organic' or 'cruelty-free.'</p>

I just don't think these certifications are any good unless the consumer understands what they mean

founder of RMS Beauty

<p>In addition, the United States doesn’t have a clear and strict set of regulations for the clean beauty industry. And, based on Swift’s personal experience, other regulations, such as USDA Certified Organic, are also questionable.  While searching for a fragrance to include in the body oil she was creating, Swift received a recommendation for a certified organic supplier in Hawaii. However, when fragrance was tested, they learned it was synthetic.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
So, while there’s definitely work to be done around regulations and explaining what each certification means, brands do align with ones that speak to them. For example, all True Botanicals products are certified MADE SAFE.</p>

<p>“As someone who had recovered from cancer, I was really interested in how the beauty industry could better serve people,” said Peterson. “I learned a lot from scientists who shared their concerns around ingredients like nanoparticles and sub-ingredients in beauty products that weren't even listed on the labels. All of that led me to MADE SAFE because some of the top green scientists in the world have informed the MADE SAFE certifications. For me, MADE SAFE stands out because it's an independent certification. And that's something I'd really love to see going forward, more certifications that aren’t based on self-reporting.”</p>

<h5>CAN CLEAN BEAUTY BRANDS USE PRESERVATIVES AND SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>But if some brands use self-reported certifications and some include synthetic ingredients or preservatives, what does it actually mean to be a clean beauty product? The answer is, once again, complicated. As of now, each brand has its own definition of clean.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“I actually like to call myself green, only because I feel I’ve really held to my value system by keeping it as raw as possible, as organic and clean as possible,” Swift explained. “Sometimes, I almost take it a step too far, because I'm kind of a purist. It seems like so many people have a definition, and different stores all have their definitions of clean. I don't know exactly where I stand on that. Because I always say there's clean, there's cleaner, and there's cleanest.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>

Clean beauty brands may be equally concerned about how ingredients are processed – and how their products are packaged.</p>
<p>“Clean is beyond just the ingredient list,” Lee said. “It's the approach to clean beauty in general – the approach to how people shop and how we educate as a brand. We want to think about how we can affect it in every aspect of product development. This might be sourcing or how it affects our skin and the earth. We want to be really cognizant of how we impact a community.”</p>
<p>Plavsic agreed with Lee. She said that over the last couple of years, she’s seen a stronger focus on packaging and sustainability throughout the industry.</p>

<p>“From a values standpoint, social responsibility includes packaging,” she explained. “Everybody was very focused on the formulas the first 10 years, but in my eyes, it’s becoming so much bigger when we're producing so much. I don't think that zero-waste is possible; I think that there has to be offsetting. How do we offset what we do? We're producing so much, and what is our responsibility as brands to the planet? That is the bigger conversation for any corporation today.”</p>

<p>As clean brands work to expand their mission beyond just good and bad ingredients to include how they are grown, harvested, and processed, they are also examining their impact on farmers and other workers along the way, and how their business as a whole adversely affects the environment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“No one can say they're the most sustainable or the cleanest," says Cloyes. "It's all about doing the best you can, and learning from peers and other organizations. If we can all be transparent, do the best we can, and align and help each other, that's what's going to make things better. We are making things that people buy, and at the end of the day, that's not ultra-sustainable. But that's what we do; we’re going to do the best we can to be as sustainable as possible.”</p>

Synthetics & Preservatives in Cosmetics & Beauty: Why Clean Beauty is Complicated

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<h3>Making the choice to sell products for conscious consumers or to be a conscious consumer has its challenges, but taking steps towards sustainability is always the right choice.</h3>

<h5>WHAT IS CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM?</h5>
<p>Conscious consumerism – it’s a phrase that means exactly what it sounds like: choosing to buy – or not buy – to make a positive impact socially, economically, or environmentally. But, for those who sell products with sustainability in focus, satisfying conscious consumers can be much more complicated.</p>
<p>At Hairstory’s 2021 Sustainable Beauty Summit, held virtually on April 8, Liza Moiseeva, the co-founder & CMO of Brightly.eco, sat down with Mia Davis, who is the vice president of sustainability and impact at the  Credo, (a company that sells clean, non-toxic beauty and skin care products, and  Meika Hollender, the vice president of communications at Grove Collaborative, (a company that sells a variety of sustainable home products, including their own brand). They discussed their thoughts on conscious consumerism, greenwashing, the hard decisions they’ve had to make as leaders in sustainable beauty, and simple steps toward sustainability that we can all take.</p><h5>IS IT AN OXYMORON TO SELL STUFF WHILE PREACHING SUSTAINABILITY?</h5>

<p>“Conscious consumerism, as a term, kind of inherently makes me a little uncomfortable as I’m someone who thinks a lot about our overconsumption in the United States,” said Davis. “It’s something I grapple with all of the time because I'm a sustainability person who sells stuff. And I'm in the beauty industry. So, there's an inherent tension there.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The problem with working in the beauty industry, Davis explained, is that it’s an industry that generates a lot of waste. Lots of stuff is sold, and that stuff requires lots of packaging – retailing is inherently unsustainable. Plus, she’s also a consumer who buys stuff.&nbsp;</p>
<p>

So how is it possible to voice concerns about over-consumption while selling (and buying) stuff? For Davis, it’s about empowering and encouraging others to buy and sell stuff while still focusing on what is best for their own health, their children's health, and the environment.</p>

<p>“The more that consumers and customers are thinking about hard questions and thinking holistically about what the impact of their purchase might be, the better,” Davis continued. “Whether that occurs at the start of the process, or at the end of the process when something is washed down the drain – or even when something is supposedly recycled but probably isn't – that's what it’s about. It’s also about worker’s rights, of course, and other sustainability issues.”</p><h5>BEING A CONSCIOUS CONSUMER ISN’T EASY</h5>
<p>But consuming consciously means reading between the lines of marketing lingo, and that’s not always easy. Some companies claim to be all-natural, which doesn't mean much, while others make environmentally-friendly claims. But they don't always practice what they preach.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
When companies “greenwash,” the onus is on the consumer to do the work to determine if what they're being promised is right, wrong, or realistic. It requires research and critical thinking, which not everyone has the time for. Hollender gives us a place to start.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“One of the really devastating areas around greenwashing is about plastic and recycling plastic,” she pointed out. “Only 9% of plastic is actually recycled. It doesn't matter how much is going into the recycling bin, we don’t have great infrastructure to recycle plastics. So, when you have the big consumer products and companies talking about how by X date – 10, 20, 30 years from now – they will  use 50% recycled plastic to make their products, that's just not even possible.”</p><h5>When conscious consumers use plastic, they toss it in the recycling bin once done. But not all plastic can be recycled, and even if it can, it might not be.</h5>
<p>Consumers trust that they are making informed environmental decisions when choosing what to buy or who to buy it from, but that’s not always possible.</p>
<p>

Grove Collaborative recently became a Certified B Corporation. To achieve this, a business must “meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.” Hollender believes this is the way forward.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“There's still a lot of work to do to hold companies accountable,” she admits. “Outside of them electing to become a B Corp, or a public benefit corporation, how do we put laws in place to check what they're doing? That's the part that we obviously haven't solved yet.”</p><h5>BEING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS ISN’T EASY EITHER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DECISIONS HAVE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES</h5>

<p>But as some businesses work to create a strong and honest environmental or sustainability policy without laws to hold them accountable, they have to consider what it might cost their business. They could lose valuable vendors or clients. Making these decisions are difficult, but both Hollender and Davis believe they’re worth it.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“For Credo, clean is really defined as the nexus of safety, sourcing, sustainability, and ethics,” Davis explained. “In April of 2020, we launched our industry-leading sustainable packaging guidelines. One of the first milestones that our brands have to meet, according to those guidelines, is no more single-use containers, no more sampling. That milestone is coming right up on June first of this year.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
This wasn’t an easy business decision for Davis and her team. It was hard and uncomfortable. They knew they were rocking the boat and that their decision would be controversial. But, she said, the decision was “also kind of simple.”</p>

<p>“Sustainability is part of what we're doing,” she said. “When you really look at what's at stake, or when you really take a step back, you see that there's approximately 122 billion little sachets and packets that are produced annually – and some people think that's a really conservative number, that it's actually much higher. Those are never recyclable, because they're tiny, little flexible packages. They blow away in the wind. And, they’re made of mixed materials, so they're never going to be recycled. So, we just had to say no. And that's really weird for beauty. Beauty samples. That's how it's done. So, us saying no was actually a very big business decision.” </p><h5>THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY</h5>
<p>As hard as those business decisions are, COVID-19 was possibly more stressful for many eco-conscious businesses. When the pandemic hit, consumers re-evaluated everything in their lives. Many clean business owners weren’t sure how their brands would fare. But, Hollender said, it was actually a boom for environmentally and socially conscious consumerism.&nbsp;</p>
<p> 

“Sustainability, particularly in the consumer space, was a silver lining during COVID,” said Hollender. “At the beginning of the pandemic, I was pretty nervous that we were going to see a big flip back to the traditional brands, to this idea that people want the strongest, most powerful, most established brands disinfecting their homes. But looking back on the year, what we ended up seeing was actually natural products in all categories continuing to steal market share from traditional brands. How amazing is that, especially during a pandemic?”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Hollender explained that while people were spending so much time in their homes, as were their kids, people became hyper-aware of what they were using every day – they literally sat with their choices, smelling and breathing them. And, because the efficacy of less toxic products is rising and the prices are falling compared to standard brands, it became a no-brainer.</p><h5>HOW TO BE A CONSCIOUS CONSUMER: TAKING ONE SMALL STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY</h5>
<p>At the end of the day, economic, environmental, and socially conscious consumerism is about both the big and small decisions we make as consumers. In fact, there are plenty of simple, actionable steps towards sustainability that you can take today.</p>

<p>“One of the most actionable things people can do is to stop using single-use items,” Davis recommended. “No more water bottles, no more coffee cups, and definitely no more cutlery from takeout containers. At first, it might be annoying to remember to say no and to remember your cup, but you know what, we can totally do this. And once you start doing it, it's just like anything else you're in the habit of doing it.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
When you place a takeout or delivery order and you plan to eat at home, Davis recommends you politely request that the restaurant not include cutlery. Or when you’re purchasing beauty products, opt for low or no-waste options like refillable shampoo and wash products.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“They’re made out of thin plastic,” she said. “They’re meant to be used for seconds, and then they’ll never leave the planet. If every single person who didn't need it said no to it, we would be making an impact.”&nbsp;<br></p>

<p>With recycling a pretty flimsy bandaid for the plastics problem, The most effective form of conscious consumerism is finding ways to reduce and reuse.<br></p>
<p>“I have a new baby, and we've been using reusable dishcloths instead of paper towels for cleaning up after him when he’s eating or playing,” said Hollender. “We just have two cloths, and they get us through the day, every day. I've been amazed at how much paper towel we've eliminated from our home.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
If becoming a conscious consumer seems overwhelming, take it one step at a time. It won’t cost you anything, and in fact, you'll even save money.  Sustainability is a journey, so start exactly where you are, and then don't stop!</p>

Conscious Consumerism: It’s Not Always Easy, But It’s Worth It

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<h3>Defining corporate greenwashing with Executive Director and Made Safe founder Amy Ziff, and Ronie Schmelz, Counsel</h3>

<p><a href="https://www.madesafe.org/">Made Safe</a> was founded by Amy Ziff, a journalist and mother who was on a mission to solve her youngest children’s severe allergies to things even sent home with her from the hospital by her doctors. Joining her is Ronie Schmelz, an attorney specializing in regulatory compliance and helping companies to stay out of trouble whenever they communicate with consumers.</p>

<p>A self-proclaimed “ecoista,” Amy shopped at places like Whole Foods and thought she was doing right by her family and her children to buy them healthy, clean, often expensive products. “It turns out that there really is so little regulation and so little definition that you can think you’re buying something good, and it can be filled with <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/stories/2019/05/30/these-ingredients-do-not-belong-in-your-hair/">nasty chemicals</a>.” Amy’s journey with her own children led her to this market realization that there are over 84,000+ chemicals in use today, with roughly 700 untested chemicals being added every year. </p>

<h5>GETTING AHEAD OF CORPORATE GREENWASHING MARKETING</h5>
<p>Amy wanted to make a change and inform people, so she strove to create a highly defined set of principles that outlines what it means to make a product from safe ingredients that won’t harm humans or the wider ecosystem. As Ronie notes, “there is this vacuum that has been created on the regulator front and there’s no definition by the government of ‘clean.’ People like Amy have stepped into the void to help educate consumers” and bridge the knowledge gap for them to make better-informed choices while shopping. </p>

<p><em>“Most of the chemicals that are widely used today were never put through any kind of review.”</em> Made Safe vets these chemicals for human health first then eco-health, including testing ingredients against: soil, air, water, flora, and fauna. Made Safe has a ‘banned list’ of nearly 6,500 chemicals, which is nearly 4x the size of that of Europe, and 50x of the United States.&nbsp;</p>
<p> 

Amy notes, <em>“we prioritize people”</em> using a precautionary approach. How? Made Safe test chemicals before they are put into products and proven innocent, and work to prevent bad ones from ever being used, rather than a chemical being deemed unfit and having to be pulled from the shelves or undergo a class action lawsuit.</p>

<h5>WHAT IS GREEN MARKETING?</h5>
<p>So <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/stories/2021/03/05/what-is-greenwashing/">what is greenwashing</a> and green marketing? Amy first encourages people to ask, “what is sustainability?” “It’s not okay to use ingredients that are taking so much from the earth and causing harm that way… these words are so loaded and can mean virtually anything. It’s the wild west.” This is why Made Safe has decided to remain a third party and not align to any brand. This is important because big brands often seek to be defined by loose terms like “green” and “clean” in order to attract consumers, and can simply pay for a certification by scientists that they have paid. Made Safe has chosen to grow organically - pun intended. They aren’t bought. “We need consumers to understand this complexity, and we need more terminology that is more understood across these entities.” For example: the birth of “clean” actually came from lawsuits surrounding brands falsely using the term “green.” For this reason, it’s important to truly understand what the “clean” in <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/stories/2021/03/05/what-is-clean-beauty/">clean beauty</a>, food, or otherwise means.</p>

<h5>GREEN PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS & SEALS: NOT ALL CREATED EQUAL</h5>
<p>Made Safe works with a couple hundred brands and has certified thousands of products. In order to be certified by Made Safe, products have to undergo an extremely rigorous testing period, including avoiding over 6,500 known harmful ingredients that make up our “banned list,” making sure no ingredients were named dangerous by global scientific sources, ensuring they are not harmful to animals or the environment…</p>
<p>So how do brands make a decision to get certified by whom? Amy says “there is a time and place for all kinds of certifications, and the others are offering brands a place to start. You can’t just out of the gate become Made Safe certified because you ‘got lucky,’ it’s too hard. You might start with a more permissive eco-seal that works for your brand where you are… We stand on the shoulders of many [seals] who came before us and would not be here without the work they have done for years.” She encourages brands and consumers to do their homework and make a plan, emphasizing “progress over protection.”</p>
<p>“Seals are so helpful because instead of self-defining, [brands] are using this third party to have clarity.” Ronie notes, we want the industry to make their own definitions, as she often sees lawsuits in which companies make their own definitions and therefore are able to bend the rules.</p>
<p>Made Safe does not certify packaging, and recognizes that ingredients are just one leg of the stool. Instead, they partner with NY State Pollution Prevention Institute to help guide brands on looking at their overall product and packaging sustainability and [provide best practices. Zero-waste is another grey term. Do you have a collection process to collect the packaging back? Is your manufacturing process zero-waste?</p>
<p>Plastic leaching can be harmful, which is why Amy promotes virgin plastic over recycled plastic. This is not-popular to say because it is more wasteful, but recycled plastic might leach chemicals into your beauty products.</p>
<p>“I constantly walk with brands about their choices and encourage better ones, but what we define as better… maybe someone else wouldn’t. These conversations are so multi-layered and it’s hard.” The good news? These conversations are more frequent, which is opening the door for innovative entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>Greenwashing marketing is conveying messaging in a certain way to make a product seem more eco or green than it is. It can be expressed in many ways, including telling a half truth, for example: listing ingredients as they are raw and NOT what they become once they chemically interact with another ingredient.</p>

Green Marketing Deception: Why Some Green Products Might Not Be So Green

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Most articles on this subject invite you to put yourself in a box (or an oval, square, or “squoval”). If your face is oval in shape, good news: You can wear any style!&nbsp;</h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">Square? Hmmm… you need to be softened. Rectangle? Disguise those corners! Sharp angles need airy layers; roundness must be elongated. It’s limiting, and it’s negative, frankly. That is exactly why we asked iconoclastic scissor wizard Wes Sharpton to break down the conventions and give us another way to look at haircutting – which is a couture experience that doesn’t fit in any box of any shape – and neither should your face, angles and all.</p>

<p>“A long time ago, I made a vow to not have conversations with my clients that are focused on face shape. The media asks you to look at yourself, find what you don’t like, and then run to your hairdresser and ask for ways to hide it. God forbid that you have a square jawline and get a bob! That’s not a conversation that I want to be a part of anymore. Here at Hairstory, we talk a lot about being in a new world where old rules don’t apply – and the old rules involve a lot of body-shame.</p>
<p>I am interested in redirecting the conversation. It’s the same as looking at a curvy girl, and saying, ‘Don’t wear anything form-fitting.’ I find that hiding behind our hair because we aren’t perfect little ovals is not a message that we need to stand behind. At the same time, how do I approach a consultation if those rules are taken away, or a client comes in saying, ‘I’m square so I can’t have this,’ or ‘I’m round so I can’t have that?’</p>

I find that hiding behind our hair because we aren’t perfect little ovals is not a message that we need to stand behind.

<p>Instead, Why not have a conversation about what we like? Rather than looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking, ‘Oh God, I’m not an oval,’ think: ‘Oh my God! I have really amazing eyes!’ Then go to your hairdresser and say, ‘How do we celebrate my eyes? What can we do to bring focus to what’s really great about me?’</p>
<p>So, this idea of celebration allows me to look someone in the eye and say, ‘I really like this about you, and if we add a little bang, or cut this little corner off, or bring that line right to your jaw and celebrate it,’ the conversation becomes more exciting. The power of owning who you are and what you look like is something that I hope for myself and for others.</p>

<p>I remember watching a Diana Vreeland documentary and thinking how great she was at celebrating almost everything. She was the one person who looked at Barbra Streisand’s famous nose and said, ‘Shoot her in profile.’ You look at that photo and she looks confident and proud. So I thought, ‘What if we could inject that into hairdressing? How can we look at people in a fresh way that leads to different conversations that will resonate when they look at themselves at home?’ At the end of the day, fuck that whole face shape thing!</p>
<p></p>

As a hairdresser, I have the luxury to see you as you are – and not as you view yourself – because I don't have to look through your lens.

<p>When we’re thinking about a face, we want to discover what we can reveal and think about how to do it. So look at yourself in the mirror honestly and make a positive assessment. Shift that lens. As a hairdresser, I have the luxury to see you as you are – and not as you view yourself – because I don't have to look through your lens.</p>
<p>Maybe your hairdresser can even help you celebrate that thing that you think is so terrible. I’ve cut off a lot of hair in my time, and I don't think it’s necessarily the answer for everyone, but it is an exercise in how to navigate the world when you can’t hide behind hair. How do you stand when you are fully exposed?</p>
<p>If I cut your hair off and it launches an emotional journey, the value isn’t just in a great-looking result; it lies in the fact that you can get through discomfort to self-acceptance in 45 minutes. And you have a physical manifestation of the process. You get to take it outside into the world and see how people respond – which may be very different than what you expect.</p>

Does Your Face Shape Dictate Your Haircut?

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<h4>Best Hair Color Trends and Ideas for 2020</h4>
<p>Dealing with roots during the Spring lockdown was tough, but the 2020 Summer season is going to be even tougher. Colorists will likely be working overtime to see clients clamoring to get their color done while following new safety guidelines. So if you’re the type who used to pop in every few weeks for a touch-up, you may want to adjust your expectations (and learn how to prepare for your first visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/05/08/the-post-pandemic-salon-tips-to-keep-you-and-hairdressers-healthy/">here</a>.)</p>
<p>But back to those roots: Don’t be so quick to send them back into hiding. What if we told you that they could be your best asset this season? Our summer hair color directions are designed to last – and grow out as long as you please. Why? Most are achieved with a process called balayage. From the French word for “sweeping,” color – and/or bleach – is painted onto hair with a precise placement that does away with the hard line when regrowth appears.</p>
<h5>Our summer hair color directions are designed to last – and grow out as long as you please.</h5>
<p>A “shadow root”– darker roots melting into lighter ends – is what the technique is after, no matter what your natural color is. The goal here is to achieve a seamless gradation from shade to sun-kissed and infuse it with any color palette you choose. Let our top shots inspire your perfect summer hair color.</p>

<h4>Anything-but-basic Blonde</h4>
<p>These pale tints are summer classics, but notice how none of them pretend to be 100% natural, with an unapologetic “regrowth” that keeps the focus on the blonde. Keeping bleach away from the roots is a scalp-saver and eliminates the guesswork when trying to get new roots to match the old tones. Add a suntan and a shimmer lotion, and you’ve got California chic.</p>

<h4>Ash Blonde</h4>
<p>The coolest of these summer looks are icy blondes with washes of silver or gray that unlike the warmer and honeyed tones are summer’s true neutrals. It’s also a perfect blank canvas for weaving in some pastels.</p>

<h4>Golden Blonde</h4>
<p>Also called Bronde, or golden bronze, these blends of golds and browns are celebrity favorites and the best of both light and dark worlds. Hair regrowth is a non-issue, and selective lightening is easier on fragile or <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2019/04/16/six-sure-fixes-for-dry-hair/">dry hair</a> that might be susceptible to chemical damage.</p>

<h4>The Copper Club</h4>
<p>Copper is good at killing viruses, and although these colors don’t use the real thing, their warmth could give you symbolic peace of mind. Also referred to as “rose brown,” this range is an evolution of the rose gold trend, but whatever you call it, these are pastels that brunettes can more easily embrace as the lightening process needn’t be extreme to prepare hair to accept a blend of brown and red dyes. </p>

<h4>Mixed Berries</h4>
<p>One of the blessings of summertime is all those sun-warmed berries ready for the picking, and this palette of fruity hues offer a refreshing, playful mood, especially paired with berry-stained lip, cheek or eye palettes.</p>

<h4>Dark Shadows</h4>
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<p>For the darkest of natural colors, there are ombre options too – natural tones, ones that could be, or those that are decidedly artificial. Just be mindful that very pale pastels and vivids will require significant bleaching to achieve, so stick to mid-range shades or darker as healthier options.</p>
<p>Any of the looks above can be achieved with one of  these delicious palettes of tones that melt from dark roots to lighter ends:</p>
<p>• Dark chocolate to iced mocha<br>• Milk chocolate to ginger/chili<br>• Molasses to honey<br>• Auburn to sandy rose<br>• Browned butter to caramel<br>• Espresso to cappuccino<br>• Toffee to buttercream<br>• Licorice to butterscotch</p>
<p>...you get the idea. </p>
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<h4>DIY Color</h4>
<p>If you’re happy at home and the salon feels like a risk, here are some recipes to shift your color in a natural direction. </p><h5>Lightening with Lemon Juice</h5>
<p>This tip may make you nostalgic for teenage poolside summers, and you’ll remember how lemon juice – a natural hair lightener – reacted to sunshine for homemade highlights. Take out the sunbath part and make the results more predictable – and safer, as lemon is photosensitive and makes skin prone to burning – by mixing it with conditioner.<br>• Mix 1 part conditioner to 3 parts lemon juice.<br>• Comb the mixture through your hair from root to tip or just the areas you want to lighten. Put on a shower cap or cover with plastic wrap.<br>• Leave on for at least 1½ hours or overnight.<br>• Rinse with warm water, followed by a deep conditioner to restore moisture. </p><h5>Reviving Reds</h5>
<p><strong></strong>Carrots, raspberries, beets, and pomegranates all contain pigments that work as temporary toners. Blend them well and pack onto hair as you would a masque and leave on for about 15 minutes, or until you get the color you’re going for. </p><h5>Toning with Teas</h5>
<p>Steeping various herbs and then spraying them onto hair is a wholesome – and inexpensive – method of creating temporary tones:<br>• Chamomile tea spray brightens blonde tones.<br>• Hibiscus tea spray is a great toner for redheads (and a rich source of Vitamin C). <br>• Sage tea spray helps to darken gray hair. <br>• Black tea spray turns dark tones a bit richer.</p>
<p>To brew: <br>• Steep ½ cup of herbs in 2 cups of boiled water for 45 minutes to an hour. <br>• Strain when cool and pour into a spray bottle. <br><br>To apply: <br>• Spray onto clean hair, massage in or comb through<br>• Let sit for about two hours and rinse out with cold water.</p><h5>The Eclectic Kool-Aid Brassy Test</h5>
<p>Purple Kool-Aid, or any purple-flavored and colored soft drink mix can keep blondes from going brassy and browns from turning red. Use the bluish powder to mix up a concentrated solution (more powder and less water than a drinkable batch) and apply to hair, comb through and leave in for an hour or so.<br><br>• • •<br><br>It’s highly likely you’ve been experimenting at home these past several weeks, and who can blame you? But when you finally see your colorist again, it is vital that you come clean and list anything you may have used – yes, even henna (especially henna) – so that chemical residue doesn’t cause unexpected results and unwelcome surprises.</p>
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7 Hair Color Trends: Summer 2020

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<p>Hairstory was founded in 2015 as a result of a years-long search for a better way to wash hair. Director of product development Jackie Bauer spent years testing cleansing formulas to soothe painful psoriasis and discovered that shampoo was part of the problem. </p>
<p>Jackie made it her goal to develop a product that effectively cleans while easing – and even preventing – flare-ups. While Jackie’s story is one for the books, what readers should note here is that the hairdressing community suspected for decades that there had to be a better way to wash hair than with shampoo.</p>

<p>Do you know what is in your shampoo bottle? This article might convince you that shampoo is bad for your hair. We’ll briefly touch upon the social history of washing hair and how it shaped our modern relationship with shampoo; take a closer look at the ingredients found in shampoo and their effect on the scalp; and finally, bust some shampoo myths that keep us seeking a sudsy scalp whenever we shower. </p>
<h5>THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF SHAMPOO </h5>
<p>Modern shampoo as we know it did not come about until about 100 years ago. Soon after, conditioners were developed to soften hair in ways that early shampoo couldn't manage to do. Learn more about the (chemical) history of shampoo<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2017/03/24/the-history-of-shampoo/"> here</a>. </p>
<p>Although shampoo was different at the turn of the 19th century, it was still perceived as drying and damaging. <a href="https://www.colorwowhair.com/us/blog/sodium-lauryl-sulfate-sls-free-what-is-sulfate">Early options were mainly soaps made from lye and lard, both of which have high alkalinity (pH) levels.</a>&nbsp;A high pH is great for washing dishes and clothing, but too harsh for the body, and shampoo washing is extremely drying and taxing on the hair.</p>
<p>Using soaps that led to dry, flaky scalps and fluffy hair with the “natural life” taken from it was even less desirable to some than natural oiliness. Early <a href="http://www.sewhistorically.com/victorian-and-edwardian-hair-care-how-often-to-wash-the-hair/">advice columns</a> recommended washing NO MORE than once a week, and leaving hair unwashed for as long as 6 weeks. Lived-in hair was also welcomed to keep often complex hairstyles in place.</p>
<p>Sodium lauryl sulfate was developed in the 1930s. <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/">What is sodium lauryl sulfate</a> exactly? Often referred to as SLS, it is the first man-made detergent. It was originally developed to wash laundry but became popular as companies added it to all types of cleansing products because it was inexpensive, easy to manufacture, less harmful to hair and skin than lye and lard, and, most importantly, it lathered like crazy, which became associated with thorough cleanliness.</p>
<p>It’s important to remember that as times have changed, so has the degree to which we find oily hair acceptable. SLS made it easier for businesses to produce and sell more products and encourage consumers to use them more often. </p>
<p>Imagine this all in the context of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_advertising#1930s_and_World_War_II">American history</a>. In the 1930s, the US government introduced the New Deal to encourage economic spending to get Americans out of the Great Depression. During WWII (1941-1945) women entered the workforce and began supporting their families while men were overseas. With the purchasing power in their hands, they began investing more heavily in personal care and beauty products. After the war ended, the 'American Way of Life' was celebrated, and exercising democratic freedom by spending money at home was a way to enact revenge. America prospered, ushering in the golden age of advertising which helped the beauty industry as a whole flourish.</p>

<h5>WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER USE SHAMPOO </h5>
<p>Today, many shampoos are still made with sodium lauryl sulfate and its close cousin sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) – and such detergents are very likely the root cause of your hair problems. </p>
<p>Detergents are amphiphilic, meaning they form super strong chemical bonds with both oil and water. When we wash our hair using detergents, they not only grab onto grease and dirt, but also our scalp’s natural protective barrier. Made from sebum, this barrier keeps our scalp hydrated and protected from allergens, the sun, and dryness. Detergents then grab onto water, which pulls dirt and both good and bad oils out of our hair and down the drain as we rinse. Do you color treat your hair? Detergents also grab onto color pigments and remove them! </p>
<p>While we may FEEL clean after shampooing, we’ve actually overcleaned and put our scalps in danger. In fact, feeling “squeaky clean” means that you have successfully washed away that natural protective barrier. That squeaking you hear is the friction of hair between your fingers, and if your natural barrier remained intact, your fingers would glide instead.</p>
<p>In stripping the scalp, shampoo leaves it dry and irritated. Sometimes the scalp is left so dry that it flakes. Dry hair is also more prone to tangling, which is why washing with shampoo requires a moisturizing component to make hair smooth again. We know this as conditioner. You may have already realized that the natural oil barrier does exactly what conditioner does, yet we wash it all away and then replace it with a bottled substitute. </p>
<p>Shampoo damages our hair with every wash. The worst part? Because shampoo strips hair of the natural oil layer, our bodies recognize this as an attack and work overtime to replenish protection. Translation: Oily hair. Shampooers recognize this as dirty and jump back in the shower to wash it away, and the vicious cycle continues.</p>
<p><strong>Shampoo is harmful in many ways: </strong><br>
• It dries out and irritates your scalp. <br>
• It strips your hair of color <br>
• It causes tangles (which require conditioner) <br>
• It promotes sebum over-production</p>
<h5>COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SHAMPOO THAT KEEP YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE</h5>
<p>There are many myths created by shampoo salesmanship to keep us coming back. We’ve tackled this rhetoric to help us see through the suds in our eyes: </p>
<p><strong>Is it OK to just shampoo your hair (without conditioner)? </strong><br>
As we explained earlier, it’s never okay to shampoo your hair because it is drying and damaging. It’s even more harmful to shampoo hair without following up with conditioner because hair becomes vulnerable and at risk of breakage and damage. </p>
<p><strong>Lather, rinse, repeat</strong><br>
This bit of marketing magic is a genius way to get us to do one thing: use more shampoo. Don’t believe us? <a href="https://www.valens-research.com/dynamic-marketing-communique/lather-rinse-repeat-create-powerful-copy-thats-sure-to-attract-tons-of-people-tuesdays-write-with-the-pen-of-the-masters/">Look it up</a>. </p>
<p><strong>‘Dirty’ hair makes for better styling. </strong><br>
This is true, which is why we often add texture products to make hair less glassy, slippery, and unmanageable when freshly washed with shampoo. This is why so many people are seeking to wash less frequently: less clean hair is simply more cooperative.</p>
<p><strong>Squeaky clean </strong><br>
You never want to hear squeaks coming from your head! This means that your hair and scalp has been stripped of its natural protective barrier of sebum. Without it, you risk dryness and skin irritation. </p>

<h4>SHAMPOO ALTERNATIVES: THE MODERN WAY TO SAY NO TO SHAMPOO</h4>
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<p>Your hairdresser may have urged you to wash as little as possible, and that’s because there are so few detergent-free options that actually clean hair – until now. Sure, there are so-called gentler detergents, but buyer beware of wolves in sudsy sheep’s clothing.</p>
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<p></p><h5>Sulfate-free shampoo</h5>
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<p>Some shampoo makers want you to believe they are doing right by your scalp by offering ‘sulfate-free’ shampoos. But sulfate-free shampoos still have detergents and they still strip your hair and scalp. To learn more about the types of <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-detergent/">detergents</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/types-of-sulfates-in-shampoo/">sulfates</a>, <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2019/01/15/get-sulfates-out-your-life-and-your-hair/">click here</a>.</p>
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<h5>The bad: Shampoo bars</h5>
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At best, they are a rebranded bar of soap that contains SLS. At worst, they are made with sodium hydroxide which is the same highly corrosive material found in Drano. You’ve seen what Drano does to hair that clogs your shower drain in a few hours, imagine what small quantities are doing to your scalp over time. Pass! </p>
<h5>The good: New Wash</h5>
<p><strong></strong>New Wash is completely <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">detergent-free</a>. It cleanses with a proprietary blend of essential oils that keep your protective barrier intact, while removing dirt and oils from the scalp. New Wash does not strip away good oils, meaning hair stays moisturized without using an additional conditioner. </p>
<h5>The good: Dry shampoo</h5>
<p><strong></strong>Nowadays there are other ways to manage oiliness. Dry shampoo is a great alternative to a full wash, but it’s important to recognize that it can contain harmful minerals like talc, which are known to cause cancer. Plus aerosol cans are not good for the environment. We recommend trying our aerosol-free and talc-free formula,&nbsp;<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/styling/powder/">Powder</a>.</p>
<h5>CONCLUSION: IS SHAMPOO BAD FOR YOUR HAIR?</h5>
<p>Since the advent of modern hair washing, we have known that shampoo is not ideal. It strips hair of its vital oils while cleaning, leaving scalps irritated, flaky and strands dry and prone to breakage. An oily scalp is the main reason why people wash their hair and consider it ‘dirty.’ But the product you think is ‘cleaning’ your hair is actually stripping it. Consider New Wash the end-goal of all hair care, as we have developed&nbsp;<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">three formulas</a> that offer what hair washers have been seeking for centuries. </p>

Is Shampoo Bad For Your Hair?

Using Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Foaming Shampoo

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<h4><strong>If you’ve read the ingredients on the back of your shampoo, body wash, or hand soap bottles, chances are that you came across the words Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – a standard ingredient in many personal care products.</strong></h4>
<p>But what is SLS? In general, it’s a <a href="https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/#safety-information">cleaning agent</a> made of mineral salts that contain sulfur. It’s one of the many <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/blog/types-of-sulfates-in-shampoo/">types of sulfates</a> that make your shampoo lather on wet hair.</p><h3><strong>HOW DOES SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE WORK?</strong></h3>
<p>Most people need more than just water to remove oils, grime, and styling products that build up on your scalp and coat your hair. That’s where SLS comes in.</p>

<p>SLS is a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/surfactant">surfactant</a>, which means that it has the ability to alter the surface tension of a substance and affect the ability to attach to it. SLS and other surfactants are amphiphilic, which means that they can attach to both oil and water. When you apply shampoo to your hair, SLS forms a strong attachment to the oils and the impurities suspended in them. When you rinse, it also attaches to water, and everything efficiently goes down the drain. Your hair feels squeaky-clean – not the ideal signal for a healthy clean as it happens – and you reach for the conditioner to make it feel better.</p>
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<h4><strong>WHAT OTHER PRODUCTS CONTAIN SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE?</strong></h4>
<p>Because SLS is so effective at removing grease and stains, it is found in many household and industrial cleansers – laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, and spray cleaners. SLS is also present in some foods as an emulsifier or thickener; it makes marshmallows and dried egg products light and fluffy. Because SLS helps liquids mix, it’s also used in fruit juices.</p><br><br>

<h3><strong>WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE?</strong></h3>
<p>This question, and the answers, are controversial. While you’ll find research that says they’re safe, you’ll also find warnings about its dangers. The difference is in its context – concentration and strength. </p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0502">World Health Organization</a> (WHO), SLS in <em>raw</em> form “can be harmful if swallowed or [comes] in contact with skin.” Ingesting or inhaling SLS may cause a sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact can irritate eyes and cause redness, pain, or itchy skin. SLS is also combustible and can “give off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.”</p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651417/">2015 report</a> from the National Institute of Health (NIH) says that SLS can be safe for various parts of the body, but only in prescribed concentrations. For example: </p><ul><li>Eyes: Based on a study of lab animals, researchers say SLS won’t irritate the eyes if the product has less than 0.1%.</li><li>Skin: If a product has a concentration greater than 2%, it could irritate normal skin when left on for 24 hours.</li><li>Hair: If a shampoo has a high concentration of SLS, it could damage your hair.</li><li>Ingestion: Consuming pure SLS is toxic, but although it can be safe when eaten, guidelines for precise amounts haven’t yet been determined. </li></ul>
<p>SLS is not regulated by any government groups. And while ingredients are listed in order of the amount used in a formulation, you’re not likely to know the exact percentage of SLS used. That same NIH report explains that the concentration of SLS found in consumer products varies by product and manufacturer –  anywhere from 0.01% to 50% in cosmetic products and 1% to 30% in cleaning products.</p><br><br>

<h3><strong>IS SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?</strong></h3>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0502">The WHO</a>, SLS shouldn’t be allowed in the environment in its raw form because “it can be toxic to aquatic life.” However, not everyone agrees on whether or not the amount of SLS found in domestic cleaning products is enough to cause harm if allowed to enter waterways through sewage (industrial use is another matter entirely).</p>
<p>In general, SLS quickly biodegrades, and by the time a cleaning product reaches a body of water, most of the SLS is broken down. Researchers believe that as long as one liter of water is present for every 0.5 mg of surfactant, fish, and most other aquatic life will be unharmed. You’d have to have a ratio of 0.1 mg per liter of water to create a toxic situation.</p><br><br>

<p>Even if SLS doesn’t prove harmful to the environment, other chemicals found in shampoos are. Learn more about how shampoo impacts the environment <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/blog/how-shampoo-impacts-the-environment/">here</a>.</p><h3><strong>IS SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE SAFE FOR YOUR HAIR?</strong></h3>
<p>Some will argue that SLS does too food a job of cleansing. Why? The major side effect of washing your hair with SLS – or any detergent for that matter – is that it doesn’t just remove some oil, it removes <em>all</em> of the oil, even the beneficial ones. Learn more about <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/blog/is-shampoo-bad-for-your-hair/">why shampoo is bad for hair</a>.</p>
<p>Once you’ve finished washing your hair with detergent, it can be frizzy, feel dry, and look dull. When all of the natural oil your body produces is removed from your scalp, it loses its protective barrier and becomes vulnerable to dryness and irritation.</p>
<p>So what happens when you strip your scalp of natural oils? It overcompensates and produces more. This, of course, creates oily hair, which you then have to wash again – we call this the “wash, grease, repeat cycle.”</p><h3><strong>WHY SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HAIR WITHOUT SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE?</strong></h3>
<p>Using hair products without SLS – or detergent – can make a dry scalp and dull hair properly balanced and moisturized.</p>
<p>Even swimmers and people who exercise regularly can benefit from using SLS-free products:</p><ul><li>Swimmers: You wash your hair regularly, and shampoo can cause a very dry, itchy scalp. An SLS-free product is much gentler.</li><li>Regular Exercisers: Sweat salts can build up on your hair, but you don’t need SLS to remove it.</li></ul>
<p><a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">New Wash</a> is a great alternative. SLS- and <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">detergent-free</a>, it will keep your scalp and hair healthy, moisturized, and balanced – and you won’t need to use conditioner.</p><h3><strong>WILL YOUR HAIR GET CLEAN WITHOUT SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE?</strong></h3>
<p>Yes, your hair can get clean without the use of sulfates. SLS-free products are typically milder and less drying. <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">New Wash</a> contains essential oils and naturally-derived ingredients that will clean your hair without stripping your scalp of its protective barrier. It comes in three formulas:</p><ul><li>New Wash (Original) is the best for most people unless their hair is either very oily or very dry – and are typically frequent or infrequent washers respectively.</li><li>New Wash (Deep) offers a deeper cleansing while managing oiliness by using apple cider vinegar and argan oil. Anyone can use it to clarify hair from time to time.</li><li>New Wash (Rich) gives you extra conditioning if hair is very dry (curly) and is a great alternative for conditioner-only washers who want to actually clean their hair.</li></ul>
<p>SLS-free cleaners do require some more work on your end. Instead of a quick wash with a foamy, dirt-and-oil-grabbing SLS-filled shampoo, you do need to spend time scrubbing your head to remove all of the dirt. With an SLS-free shampoo, your new routine will look like this:</p><ul><li>Step 1 – Apply: Generously coat your hair with your SLS-free product, working from your scalp to your ends. Make sure you apply it to everything that needs cleaning.</li><li>Step 2 – Scrub: Use your fingers (or our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/accessories/scalp-brush/">shower brush</a>) to massage your scalp extremely well. Do this for at least one minute to help evenly distribute New wash throughout your hair and activate the cleansing ingredients.</li><li>Step 3 – Rinse: Rinse your hair really, really well. You might want to use our shower brush to help. You should be able to glide your fingers through wet hair as if you’d used conditioner.</li><li>Step 4 – Repeat if you feel like your hair needs more nourishment or cleansing. Because you’re not stripping your hair, there’s no harm.</li><li>Step 5 – Style: If you’re using New Wash, you don’t need a conditioner. But you may want to add an anti-frizz serum and a mousse or gel. But you can shrink that multi-step process with <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/styling/hair-balm/">Hair Balm</a> – it’s a leave-in conditioner, anti-frizz cream, and styling gel in one.</li></ul>
<p>To use, work increasing amounts of Hair Balm through damp hair with your fingers or a comb. Then, just let your hair air dry. If you have curls, scrunch while they dry for shape and definition; use Hair Balm on dry hair to touch up frizz or flyways anytime.</p>
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<p><br></p><h3><strong>HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR A CLEANSER WITHOUT SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE TO MAKE MY HAIR FEEL BETTER?</strong></h3>
<p>Because everyone’s hair and skin are unique, the time it will take for your hair to become healthier will vary. Some people will feel a huge difference immediately; for others, it may take time, especially if hair is very damaged, the scalp is very irritated, or overactive oil glands need some time to get the message.</p><h3><strong>LIFE WITHOUT SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE</strong></h3>
<p>Understanding how SLS can strip your hair of its natural (and necessary) oils is a real “aha” moment for many people. Suddenly, it makes no sense at all: the never-ending cycle of washing only to get greasy in a day or two, or constantly conditioning hair but wondering why it’s still so dry.</p>
<p>Eliminating SLS will help. With a bit of patience and persistence, you and your hair will adjust. And if you want to make a huge change and quit shampoo and detergent altogether, we’ve got plenty of New Wash here waiting for you.</p><br><br>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><sub>Sources:</sub></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Chemical Safety Facts. <a href="https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/#safety-information">URL</a>. </sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Surfactant". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Feb. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/science/surfactant. Accessed 2 April 2021.</sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, And Why Do We Use It?. Seventh Generation. <a href="https://www.seventhgeneration.com/blog/what-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-and-why-do-we-use-it">URL</a>. </sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Detergent pour – 66 loads. Method. <a href="https://methodhome.com/products/detergent-pour-nectarine-blossom/">URL</a>. </sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Showcard. ILO. <a href="https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0502">URL</a>. </sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Bondi, Cara Am et al. “Human and Environmental Toxicity of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Evidence for Safe Use in Household Cleaning Products.” <em>Environmental health insights</em> vol. 9 27-32. 17 Nov. 2015, doi:10.4137/EHI.S31765</sub></p>

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What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">You might have noticed a shift in the beauty industry towards natural and clean beauty. This growing movement is in response to a couple key shifts in culture including a more conscious consumer, the desire to move away from filler or potentially harmful ingredients and a larger wellness trend. Over the past decade stores like Credo and CAP Beauty and brands like goop and Drunk Elephant have emerged and established themselves as leaders within the clean beauty space.</h3>
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<p>The clean beauty macro trend touches upon all beauty and personal care categories including cosmetics, skincare, haircare and nails. Clean beauty has spurred the creation of new brands in this space, prompting existing brands to take a look at their ingredients and reevaluate what’s necessary and what is simply filler. In haircare, there are many unnecessary ingredients that have remained in hair products for decades. One particular group of ingredients, sulfates, have caused a lot of controversy over their place within hair products. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about sulfates in relation to your hair, how they work and why they’re not helpful ingredients. </p><h4>WHAT ARE SULFATES?</h4>
<p>In order to address sulfates, let’s first talk about what they are. Let’s go back to your high school science class. Sulfate is a salt that forms when sulfuric acid reacts with another chemical; and it’s a broader term for other synthetic sulfate-based chemicals. Sulfates are detergents which are cleansing agents known as surfactants. A surfactant is a surface active agent—a substance which reduces the surface tension between two liquids. Surfactants are able to do this because of their chemical structure: featuring two ends where one attaches to water (hydrophilic) and the other attaches to oil, grease and dirt (hydrophobic). Surfactants act as a wetting agent so that water spreads easier and is more likely to interact with oil and grease versus interacting with itself. In simpler terms, <a href="https://www.byrdie.com/what-are-sulfates">Dr. Y. Claire Chang told Byrdie</a>, “Sulfates encompass a large group of synthetic ingredients found in many personal care products, like body washes, facial cleansers, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. Sulfates include sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate."  Prior to the last decade, nearly every personal care product contained sulfates. “Sulfates, which have been in used in personal care products since the 1950s, are "the most commonly used detergents in the beauty industry,”" <a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sulfates-and-sulfate-free-beauty-products-facts">says cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski to Teen Vogue</a>. If you're still wondering, “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-detergent/" target="_blank">What is detergent?</a>” or want to discover more about the <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/shampoo-vs-soap/" target="_blank">difference between shampoo and soap</a>, check out our blog to learn more about this topic. </p><h4>WHAT DO SULFATES DO? </h4>
<p>Sulfates are some of the most common anionic detergents and they work to cleanse the hair of dirt, oil, grease and product buildup. They are the essential cleansing and foaming agent in many hair, body and personal care formulas. Let's take a deeper look at sulfate’s properties:</p><ul><li><strong>Cleansing</strong> - Sulfates work to cleanse by removing dirt, oil, sebum, and more leaving the hair feeling clean and lightweight. According to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sulfate-in-shampoo#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1">Healthline</a>, “compared to other cleansing ingredients in shampoo, sulfates are said to have the deepest cleansing effects.” Their hydrophobic head clings to dirt and oil which readies the impurities to be rinsed away. Also, because the sulfates are anionic it’s possible that they may cause an increase in electrical negative charges on the hair surface which can increase frizz and friction.   </li><li><strong>Foam and Lather</strong> - Sulfates are great at creating a lot of foam really fast. Most of us are used to our hair products foaming and lathering when coming into contact with water.  This reaction tells us the product is working—it’s cleaning your hair. The foamy texture helps the product spread more easily to cover the entire surface area of your hair. However, it’s entirely possible to have a sulfate-free hair cleansing product that doesn’t foam. It’s not what we’re used to, but sulfate-alternatives are still effective at cleaning.  </li><li><strong>Thickening</strong> - Viscosity is important to how a product looks and feels. The texture of shampoo, for example, has an impact on how the consumer perceives the <a href="https://www.happi.com/issues/2015-03-01/view_formulator-forum/meeting-the-challenges-of-sulfate-free-formulating/">efficacy and quality of the product.</a> Thickening is easy to achieve with sulfates and lauryl sulfate, in particular, can be thickened by adding salt. But in sulfate-free shampoo, thickening agents can be a bit more complicated and expensive. </li><li><strong>Affordable</strong> - Sulfates are sometimes referred to as “filler ingredients” because they are extremely cheap to make. Sulfates can be replaced with other less harmful ingredients with comparable cleansing abilities, but they’re traditionally more costly to produce. That’s why sulfate-free shampoos and products are usually more expensive than those with sulfates, and <a href="http://www.haircaremanual.com/shampoos/sulfate-free-shampoo/">more than 90% of all shampoos contain sulfates.</a></li></ul><h4>SO, WHAT’S THE ISSUE WITH SULFATES? </h4>
<p>When it comes to your hair, sulfates are amazing, deep cleaners. However, they happen to be too good at cleaning. You’ve heard from hair authorities like your stylist or magazine editors about how you should wash your hair less, and sulfates are one of the key reasons behind this movement.</p><h5>One of the biggest issues with sulfates is that they can strip your scalp of its natural oils. Ultimately, using a shampoo containing sulfates over time can dry out your hair, cause your hair color to fade and lead to hair weakening and breakage.</h5>
<p>Sulfates also commonly lead to dry scalp, dandruff, and in some cases cause skin and eye irritation. </p>
<p>Sulfates are also not ideal for those with sensitive skin. It’s possible that sulfates can cause skin reactions like dryness, redness and itchiness. "Sulfates can often dry out the skin, and some people find they may lead to more acne when their skin is in frequent contact with sodium lauryl sulfate,” explains David Lortscher, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://curology.com/">Curology</a> told <a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sulfates-and-sulfate-free-beauty-products-facts">Teen Vogue.</a> See our blog to learn more about <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/" target="_blank">what is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate</a> and its effect on your hair health. </p><h4>MOST COMMON TYPES OF SULFATES FOUND IN SHAMPOO</h4>
<p>Sulfates belong to the anionic detergent family which is characterized by a negatively charged head also known as the anion. In addition to hair care, other common types of anionic detergents include dishwashing liquids and powders, hand soaps or liquid soaps, toothpaste and laundry detergent. Essentially, sulfates are great for cleansing and removing sebum, dirt and other impurities. Let’s take a look at some of the most common sulfates found in hair care products. </p><ol><li><strong>Sodium Lauryl Sulfate</strong>- Commonly referred to as SLS, <a href="https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/">Sodium Lauryl Sulfate</a> is used in low concentrations and is one of the most used ingredients in personal care and hair care products. SLS can be made from petroleum oil, coconut or palm oil and works to trap oil and dirt in hair so it can be washed away. SLS can be found in higher concentrations in products like industrial cleaners like engine degreasers, floor cleaning solutions and car wash products. This chemical is also an extremely effective foaming agent and helps products achieve a foamy lather as seen in toothpastes, shampoos and body washes. Additionally the <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.822&SearchTerm=sodium%20lauryl%20sulfate">FDA</a> includes SLS on its list of multipurpose additives that may be added to food. </li><li><strong>Sodium Laureth Sulfate</strong> - Despite the similar name, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is not the same as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). SLES is a milder cleansing agent due to a higher amount and different chemical structure of the fatty alcohols required to manufacture this cleansing agent. It can be found in hair and grooming products, oral care and other personal care products. SLES is another highly effective foaming agent, causing the classic sudsy lather we’ve come to expect from hair and personal care products. This chemical also <a href="https://www.honest.com/blog/wellness/ingredients/what-is-sodium-lauryl%2Flaureth-sulfate/14943.html">acts as an emulsifier,</a> meaning it keeps all the ingredients mixed together to retain the consistency of the formula.    </li></ol>
<p>SLES is created by the ethoxylation (a chemical reaction) of palm oil or coconut oil. The use of palm oil itself is another controversial topic, concerning the rapid demand for palm oil which comes at the destruction of tropical forests which are habitats for many endangered species. </p><ol><li><strong>Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate</strong> - Also similarly named to SLS and SLES, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) has a slightly more complex structure and is physically larger with a heavier molecular mass (especially compared to SLS). This makes it difficult for <a href="https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/blogs/the-beauty-hub/faq-als-vs-sls">ALS to penetrate deep into the skin</a> reaching those vulnerable skin cells which makes it less irritating. Like SLES, ALS is also considered to be a gentle cleansing and foaming agent, an emulsifier and is made from coconut or palm oil. It can primarily be found in shampoos and shower gels.</li></ol>

<h4>ARE THERE BIGGER ISSUES TO WATCH OUT FOR? </h4><ul><li><strong>Health Concerns</strong> - There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to sulfates and their link to larger and scarier diseases like cancer. There was even a study conducted in 2015 published by the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651417/">NCBI</a> that states, “Since the early 1990s, misconstrued information on the human and environmental toxicity of SLS has led to consumer confusion and concern about the safety of SLS as an ingredient in household products.” The article also mentions that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that skin contact with SLS causes hair loss and no scientific evidence indicating that SLS is a carcinogen. So unfortunately it’s clear even to the academic medical community that there is a large amount of misinformation surrounding sulfates and their link to larger health concerns. </li><li><strong>Environmental Issues</strong> - Because sulfates can be derived from palm oil, they are contributing to the increasing demand for this resource. To keep up with demand, the palm oil industry has scaled rapidly, for example palm oil can be found in nearly <a href="https://www.greenmatters.com/p/palm-oil-deforestation">50% of the packaged products in supermarkets</a>. According to <a href="https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil">Rainforest Rescue</a>, palm oil is primarily harvested from palm trees that grow in rainforests. The deforestation of palm trees leads to “CO2 and methane emissions, palm oil-based biofuels actually have three times the climate impact of traditional fossil fuels.” Additionally, the palm oil industry is causing the destruction of important animal habitats, especially for endangered species. </li><li><strong>Animal Testing</strong> - Sulfate-containing products are largely tested on animals because that is how it’s known today that sulfates are irritants. Along with the clean beauty movement, animal testing is another extremely controversial topic within beauty. Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen a large shift in brands moving to cruelty-free and or vegan. Testing on animals is becoming antiquated and many consumers do not want to support brands that still continue this practice. </li></ul><h4>SULFATE ALTERNATIVES </h4>
<p>We’ve covered the types of sulfates, their uses, and the controversy surrounding them. If you’re ready to make the jump to going sulfate-free here are some alternative ingredients to consider. </p><ul><li><strong>Sodium Cocoamphoacetate</strong>- An amber liquid derived from coconut, this ingredient is a <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/sodium-cocoamphoacetate">surfactant that allows water and oil to mix</a>, allowing things to become clean. It also can increase the product’s capacity to foam and stabilize foam. Sodium cocoamphoacetate can be found in personal care products like shampoo, mousse, shaving cream, makeup and more. </li><li><strong>Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)</strong> - A naturally derived surfactant that’s sourced from coconut oil. This ingredient helps to create a rich, foaming lather and leaves the hair feeling soft and static-free. <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/spotlight/what-is-cocamidopropyl-betaine">CAPB</a> is also used as a thickening agent and is typically found in personal care products like shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, shaving cream and more. </li><li><strong>Lauryl Glucoside</strong>- Derived from palm kernel oil, corn sugar, or coconut, <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/lauryl-glucoside?_pos=1&_sid=3f0adc17a&_ss=r">lauryl glucoside</a> is a surfactant and a cleanser which helps to disperse the product so that it can clean effectively. You can find lauryl glucoside in shampoo, facial cleansers, sunscreen and more. </li><li><strong>Coco Glucoside</strong>- This ingredient is derived from coconut and can be used as a mild, natural foaming surfactant, emulsifier and conditioner. <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/coco-glucoside?_pos=1&_sid=27badd604&_ss=r">Coco glucoside</a> also helps to create a foamy lather and is often found in skincare and haircare products. </li></ul><h4>WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO</h4>
<p>Over the past decade more sulfate-free shampoo options have emerged. While you can still largely find shampoos with sulfates, there is a larger trend moving away from these ingredients. Sulfate-free shampoos are going to look and feel different than traditional shampoos. They are not going to foam and lather as much, again because sulfates are largely responsible for this property. You may also have to work a little harder to ensure the shampoo has covered your hair. The foaming benefit of sulfates allows the product to disperse easier and more thoroughly throughout the hair. With sulfate-free options, it might take slightly longer to disperse the product and fully coat your hair. And when you’re ready to rinse, make sure you take a little extra time to ensure the product is completely rinsed out of your hair. Sulfates work quickly to foam up, cleanse the hair, and then rinse out effectively leaving your hair with that squeaky-clean feeling. Sulfate-free shampoos won’t leave your hair feeling squeaky clean because that’s the product of oils being completely removed from the hair. Trust us, in the long run, your hair will thank you for making the switch. To learn more about <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/is-shampoo-bad-for-your-hair/" target="_blank">why shampoo is bad for hair,</a> check out our blog for more on this topic.   </p><h4>CHECKING YOUR PRODUCTS</h4>
<p>Without much regulation, most beauty and personal care brands are able to get away with using nearly any ingredient they wish. There also is no universal standard for what is considered “clean” or “natural” beauty. This has prompted many retailers to create their own standards and guidelines for what they consider to be clean. Sephora for example now has a seal applied to every product page that meets the standards for its <a href="https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-beauty-products">Clean at Sephora</a> program. Target, Ulta and other retailers also have their own clean standards. They all largely include products that are free from parabens, sulfates including SLS and SLES, mineral oil, phthalates, talc, formaldehyde and more.      </p>
<p>If you’re curious about the ingredients in products you use we encourage you to check out <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/">EWG’s Skin Deep ingredient database</a>. They are a cosmetic database dedicated to empowering people with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families from everyday exposures to potentially toxic chemicals in personal care and beauty products. Skin Deep launched in 2004 and has since amassed information for nearly 70,000 products and 9,000 ingredients.   </p>
<p>All of Hairstory’s products include EWG’s toxicity rating on each one of its ingredients. We’re proud of this transparency and hope that it educates and sheds a light on active ingredients versus filler ingredients. Our goal is to give you all the facts so you can make the best decision for you and your hair.   </p><h4>WHY HAIRSTORY IS DIFFERENT</h4>
<p>At Hairstory, our approach to hair care seeks to challenge everything you’ve been taught about hair products. In our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/about/">About Us</a> introduction, we talk about asking the hard-hitting, provocative questions like is shampoo really the best way to wash your hair? and why are there so many types of shampoos for different hair types or issues? The short answer is: that’s been the way the hair care industry has operated for decades. We’re here to change the status quo and open up a new way of thinking about your hair products. </p>
<p>To put it simply, we don’t like the effects sulfates have on hair. So we sought to challenge the traditional products people use to wash their hair. This is how <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/new-wash-original/">New Wash</a> was born. New Wash is a <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">detergent free shampoo</a> that is able to cleanse in a gentle way, without sulfates or other detergents. New Wash features natural ingredients like essential oils and hair-friendly conditioning agents to give you hydrated, brilliant hair. Say goodbye to harsh ingredients that strip your hair of natural oils and cause weakening over time. It’s time to ditch your old wash routine and discover your healthiest hair ever. Explore New Wash and our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/styling/">styling products</a> for expertly-crafted formulas that are created differently with ingredients your hair will love.   <br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sources: </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Cherney, Kristin. “Should You Avoid Shampoos with Sulfates?.” Healthline, 3 July 2019, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sulfate-in-shampoo#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1">URL</a>  </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Webster, Emma Sarran. “What is Sulfate? Understanding Sulfates and Sulfate-Free Products.” Teen Vogue, 16 April 2020. <a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sulfates-and-sulfate-free-beauty-products-facts">URL</a> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“CFR - code of federal Regulations Title 21.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.822&SearchTerm=sodium+lauryl+sulfate">URL </a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“What Is Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate?.” The Honest Company, 14 October 2014, <a href="https://www.honest.com/blog/wellness/ingredients/what-is-sodium-lauryl%2Flaureth-sulfate/14943.html">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Montell, Amanda. “Ask a Hairstylist: Are Shampoos With Sulfates Ever a Good Choice?.” Byrdie, 29 May 2020. <a href="https://www.byrdie.com/what-are-sulfates">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Julian, Alexandra. “ALS vs. SLS.” Greenpeople, 21 May 2020, <a href="https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/blogs/the-beauty-hub/faq-als-vs-sls">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Bondi, C., Marks, J., Wroblewski, L., Raatikainen, H., Lenox, S., & Gebhardt, K. “Human and Environmental toxicity of sodium lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Evidence for safe use in household cleaning products.” NCBI, 17 November 2015, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651417/">URL</a> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ingredient.” Greenmatters, 17 February 2020, <a href="https://www.greenmatters.com/p/palm-oil-deforestation">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hirsh, Sophie. “Is Palm Oil Bad? Everything You Need to Know About the Controversial </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Palm oil – deforestation for everyday products.” Rainforest Rescue, <a href="https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Sodium cocoamphoacetate.” Puracy, 1 April 2020, <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/sodium-cocoamphoacetate">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“What Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine – Is It Safe?.” Puracy, 26 December 2020, <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/spotlight/what-is-cocamidopropyl-betaine">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Lauryl Glucoside.” Puracy, 18 April 2020, <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/lauryl-glucoside?_pos=1&_sid=3f0adc17a&_ss=r">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Coco Glucoside.” Puracy, 5 May 2020, <a href="https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/coco-glucoside?_pos=1&_sid=27badd604&_ss=r">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“EWG’s Skin Deep.” Environmental Working Group, <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Clean at Sephora.” Sephora, <a href="https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-beauty-products">URL</a></p>

Types of Sulfates in Shampoo

shampoo_vs_soap_1.jpeg

<h3 style="text-align: center;">These days, with shampoo bars that look just like bars of soap and foaming soaps that remind you of shampoo, it’s easy to wonder whether or not soap and shampoo are really that different. Both come in liquid or bar form. Both can be scented or unscented, colored or clear.&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">And both are designed to wash skin and hair – shampoo cleans your scalp and hair while soap cleans your hands/body and all of the tiny (or not so tiny) hairs that cover your skin. So, are they really all that different? You’re probably wondering what the difference is between shampoo and soap?</p>
<p>The short answer is yes, they’re definitely is a difference between shampoo and soap. While most soaps and shampoos use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) to remove dirt and oil, just because they clean the same way doesn’t mean they are the same. Soaps and shampoos have different goals, therefore their formulas are, in fact, different. See our blog to learn more about <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/" target="_blank">what is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate</a> and different <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/types-of-sulfates-in-shampoo/" target="_blank">types of sulfates</a> and their effect on your hair health. </p><h4>SHAMPOO VS. SOAP: THE “SECRET” INGREDIENT SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE</h4>
<p>Without getting too complicated, what you likely consider “soap” isn’t technically soap. Real soap is usually a very simple combination of animal or vegetable fat mixed with an alkaline solution (a combination of water-soluble salt and water). You can find alkaline solutions in nature, such as lye. In other words, real soap can be made without any artificial ingredients.</p>
<p>However, most soaps that we use today <a href="https://www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners/whats-the-difference-between-various-types-of-soaps-shampoo-and-detergents.html">aren’t made naturally</a>. They’re typically made with a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/surfactant">surfactant</a> (a detergent that increases water’s ability to spread and thoroughly wet something), like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and a combination of other chemicals that make the product look good and smell nice. Technically what you’re using is a detergent, not a soap. If you’re still wondering, “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-detergent/" target="_blank">What is detergent?</a>”, read our blog to learn more. </p>
<p>Similar to these soap-like detergents, most shampoos use SLS to clean your hair. It’s what makes your shampoo lather or foam up when you rub it into your wet hair. It’s often the first or second ingredient in your shampoo. </p>
<p>SLS works the same way in soap and shampoo. One end of the molecule grabs on to the oil or dirt and the other end attaches itself to the water. As it’s rinsed away, the SLS takes the oil and dirt with it, “cleaning” your skin or hair.</p><h4>HOW SHAMPOO IS DIFFERENT FROM SOAP</h4>
<p>It may seem strange today, but until the mid 1930s, people actually used bar soap to clean their hair. But when liquid coconut oils became available, that all changed. The oil helped liquify soap, and eventually a liquid soap that could lather (a.k.a. shampoo) was created. </p>
<p>These days, bar soaps are not recommended for washing your hair. If you were to use bar soap instead of shampoo, it would leave a soap scum behind. And if you have hard water, it’d be very hard to rinse it off of your hair and your scalp. </p>
<p>As far as shower gel goes, it’s also not recommended for your hair. This is because of the percentage of surfactants in each – something you wouldn’t easily know by reading the bottle. In general, shampoo has a lower percentage of surfactants compared to shower gel. This allows it to easily rinse out of your hair. It also means that less oils are being pulled out of hair, which is important, as you’ll learn about below. </p>
<p>When it comes to hand washes, they also have a higher percentage of surfactants. And face wash, which is typically too expensive to use as a shampoo, usually has an additional series of ingredients designed to clean the face and help prevent acne. </p>

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