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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>

<h4>WHY IS THERE SUCH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOAP AND SHAMPOO?</h4>
<p>According to University of British Columbia chemistry professor Stephen McNeil, if your shampoo’s only job was to get rid of oil, then it would be the same as your hand soap. In an interview that McNeil gave to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2007/11/17/16393455/are-all-soaps-created-equal">NPR</a>, he explained that the detergent, or SLS, alone is too harsh for your hair. </p>
<p>You see, your hair and scalp produce a thin coating of oil to protect it. This oil also keeps your hair shiny and smooth. But, a detergent can’t tell the difference between the oil that’s building up in your hair and the natural oil needed for protection and shine. So, it gets rid of everything.</p><h5>If you washed your hair with just soap, it would definitely remove all of the oil and dirt, but it would also leave your hair dull, dry, brittle, frizzy and hard to style.</h5>
<p>Thus, commercial shampoos that use SLS to clean your hair must then repair the damage they’ve done. They do this by adding some sort of conditioner to their formula to give your hair some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002407/">gloss, make it more manageable and reduce the frizz</a>. While they could use vegetable or mineral oils to condition your hair, they can also use man-made chemicals. And unfortunately, for most people, the conditioning in shampoo isn’t enough to combat the harm of the SLS, so they also use a separate conditioner after. </p><h4>WHAT ABOUT SHAMPOO BARS?</h4>

<p>We know what you’re thinking, “they look like a bar of soap, so are they really that different from actual soap?” Or you’re thinking, “shampoo bars are so much better for the environment, they can’t be bad, right?” Well, let’s explain.</p>
<p>Many commercial shampoo bars still contain SLS, but brands often claim that even though the concentration is higher (similar to a bar of soap), it’s not as bad as a liquid shampoo because of how it’s used. They explain that since you’re only getting the “foam” off the top of a shampoo bar, you’re using much less shampoo than you would with a liquid. Therefore, there’s not as much SLS to strip away the oils. </p>
<p>However, there are also SLS-free shampoo bars that use products like coconut oil. This, of course, makes them very different than a bar of commercial soap. </p>

<h4>IF THERE ARE NATURAL SOAPS, ARE THERE NATURAL SHAMPOOS THAT DON’T CONTAIN SLS?  </h4>
<p>Yes, you can make your own natural shampoo or buy SLS-free shampoos, like our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">New Wash</a>.</p>
<p>There are tons of recipes online for making your own shampoo. These recipes are, of course, SLS-free. Some of the more common ingredients used are:</p><ul><li>Castile liquid soap</li><li>Apple cider vinegar</li><li>Coconut milk</li><li>Eggs</li><li>Avocado</li><li>Scented herbs </li><li>Essential oils </li></ul>
<p>Or, you can purchase SLS-free products, like our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">New Wash</a>. Even though our cleansing wash doesn’t contain SLS, your hair will still get clean. SLS-free products use milder cleansing agents that will help keep the moisture in your hair and on your scalp. Still wondering, “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/04/02/is-shampoo-bad-for-your-hair/" target="_blank">Is shampoo bad for your hair?</a>”. Check out our blog to learn more about this topic. </p>
<p>Even better, an SLS-free wash can actually repair your hair, but it may take some time depending on the damage. Some people will feel a huge difference immediately, but for others, it may take time. If your hair is very damaged or your scalp is very irritated, it could take longer for you to notice a change. Alternatively, if you have overactive oil glands, they may need some time to change the amount of oil they produce. Once everything is nicely balanced, your scalp and hair will be healthy and hydrated. You won’t even need conditioner.</p>

<h4>CAN I EVER USE SOAP INSTEAD OF SHAMPOO OR VICE VERSA?</h4>
<p>In general, unless you’re using “real soap” made from animal or vegetable fat mixed with an alkaline solution, using soap on your hair will pull out even more oils than an SLS-filled shampoo, and it won’t provide any conditioning. But, in a pinch, you could use shampoo on your body. However, you may need to scrub a bit harder or longer to remove all of the oils and dirt. </p>
<p>While most commercial shampoos and soaps are really various combinations of detergents designed to lift all oil and dirt from whatever they touch, they still have several different properties that make shampoo better for your hair. But the best way to treat your hair is to avoid all products with SLS, whether it’s a soap or a shampoo, and wash your hair with a formula that doesn’t strip those protective oils while conditioning your hair in the process, such as our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">detergent free shampoo</a>. This creamy cleanser contains essential oils and naturally derived ingredients that clean without stripping your scalp of its protective barrier.<br><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Surfactant". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Feb. 2020, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/surfactant" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Come clean: What's the difference between shampoo and shower gel? New Scientist. <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg24532661-200-come-clean-whats-the-difference-between-shampoo-and-shower-gel/" target="_blank">URL</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Are All Soaps Created Equal?. NPR. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2007/11/17/16393455/are-all-soaps-created-equal?t=1617396106613" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Carolei, Luciano, and Ivano G R Gutz. “Simultaneous determination of three surfactants and water in shampoo and liquid soap by ATR-FTIR.” <em>Talanta</em> vol. 66,1 (2005): 118-24. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2004.10.005</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">How Is Shampoo Different Than Soap?. Wonderopolis. <a href="https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-is-shampoo-different-than-soap#:~:text=Most%20shampoos%20have%20a%20pH,natural%20pH%20level%20of%20hair.&text=Soap%20or%20liquid%20body%20wash,than%20your%20hair%20usually%20does" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Saponification: The preparation of Soap. Milczanowski.. <a href="http://web.fscj.edu/Milczanowski/eleven/Soap.pdf" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Curiosities: What’s the difference between dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent and dish soap? Why aren’t they interchangeable?. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Source. <a href="https://news.wisc.edu/curiosities-whats-the-difference-between-dishwasher-detergent-laundry-detergent-and-dish-soap-why-arent-they-interchangeable/" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Soap: Clean for the Environment or Just Us?. Yale National Initiative. <a href="https://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_11.05.01_u" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Draelos, Zoe D. “Essentials of Hair Care often Neglected: Hair Cleansing.” <em>International journal of trichology</em> vol. 2,1 (2010): 24-9. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.66909</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">All About SLS. Lush. <a href="https://www.lushusa.com/stories/article_dont-stress-sls.html" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">5 Homemade Shampoo Recipes That *Actually* Clean Your Hair. Cosmopolitan. <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a28510392/homemade-diy-shampoo/" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I Tried Washing My Hair With 4 Different Homemade Shampoos—Here's What Happened. Prevention. <a href="https://www.prevention.com/beauty/a20500468/homemade-shampoo-recipes/" target="_blank">URL</a>. </p>

Shampoo vs Soap

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<h4>In celebration of International Women’s Day we bring you some amazing female stylists and the work they do with hair and within their communities. Meet Huich In, owner of Nuna Hair Studio in Brooklyn, NY and Erum Sheikh, a global freelance stylist in Canada and Spain. These two stylists are shaking up the hair scene and empowering their clients in big ways and small.</h4>

<h5>What is your favorite thing about owning a salon?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>My favorite thing about owning a salon is being able to work exactly how I like, especially being able to control my booking. I also love creating the energy of Nuna; the best compliment I hear from clients and other stylists is that they love the energy of the space. My hope is that it’s comfortable, peaceful, and welcoming.</p><h5>Who is a woman who helped you get where you are?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>
There are so many women who have helped me get to where I am. I’ve had the privilege to know some brilliant female hairdressers who have taught me and encouraged me to find my voice as a stylist. But the one woman who’s helped me the most is my mom. She was the one who helped me open my studio; I wouldn’t have been able to do it in NYC without her, and just enough financial support and a loving push made a dream a reality.</p><h5>Who is a woman you admire?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>There are so many women I admire. Right now I’m geeking over Jenny Cho and Lacy Redway.  I love their work so much; they are artists through and through.</p><h5>What are some of the challenges that come with owning a salon?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>
In my opinion, the most challenging part of owning a salon is navigating everyone’s working styles.  We all have different levels of clean and mess, haha. I’m learning so much about communication and patience.&nbsp;</p><h5> 

How do you support and empower other women?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>Sharing is caring! I share knowledge, education, and resources with other women freely when it is solicited. There’s a special type of joy when women support each other and when we succeed.&nbsp;</p><h5> 

Do you have to be a woman to get your haircut at your salon?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>No, ALL genders and non-binary folks are welcome at Nuna’s.&nbsp;</p><h5> 

Can you explain your inclusive and accessible business model? How did you decide to offer a sliding scale for pricing?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>I recently changed my booking options to be more inclusive. I now offer genderless booking, and my haircuts are no longer men’s or women’s. I offer full or barber haircuts. I also have a pronoun box for clients when they fill in their information.&nbsp;</p>
<p> 

I decided to offer a sliding scale because I wanted my business to be accessible to all people at all income levels. I trust that people will not take advantage of this offering, and if they do, then that is on them; I always have a choice to not take on a client if I feel that it’s not mutually beneficial.<br></p>

<h5>What is your favorite thing about working as an independent hairdresser?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>The flexibility to create my own path.&nbsp;</p><h5>
Who is a woman who helped you get where you are?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>
This is a hard one to answer because there have been many amazing ones who have supported me along the way. I would say in the last few years Lisa Rothml from Storm Salon located in Vancouver, BC. She is one of the owners and has really supported and encouraged me to go after all my wild directions on this hair journey in the last few years of my career – never holding me back even if it meant I would be at the salon less.&nbsp;</p><h5>
Who is a woman you admire?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>Dorothy Blackburn. She was my very first mentor at the boutique hair salon Metamorphosis in Ottawa, Canada. She had a profound impact on my career by showing me a side of the industry I never knew about at the age of 17. She inspired me with photo shoots she would create and her dedication to philanthropy. She made me realize how much of a positive impact hairdressers could have on their communities, and I have always aspired to be like her.&nbsp;</p><h5>
What are some of the challenges that come with working as an independent hairdresser?</h5>
<p>
Having to manage all your tasks – there never seems to be enough time to get everything done in the day!&nbsp;</p><h5>
How do you support and empower other women?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>Throughout my time behind the chair I have also helped to bring awareness to programs and organizations that help empower women and children through multi-city, in-salon cutting events. These days I am working to help bring more awareness to a local Vancouver non-profit organization BC Society of Transition Houses. They are a member-based, provincial, umbrella organization that enhances the continuum of services and strategies to respond to, prevent, and end violence against women, children, and youth. Their Bursary Funds program helps women with experiences of violence to access a bursary for education and employment opportunities that enhance their job-related skills and credentials so they can lead safe, meaningful and productive lives. To learn more, visit www.bcsth.ca & https://&lt;wbr/&gt;bit.ly/3rHKdap&nbsp;</p><h5>
Can you explain the word “womxn” as seen in your IG Bio and what it means to you?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>For me, depending on the context, I prefer to use womxn, I find it empowering to take a word from a masculine dominated language, and make it my own. I am flipping the script and that in itself is empowering to me. At the end of the day it is important for one to know what they prefer, to make their own personal choice, and be open to hearing all voices.</p>

Celebrating International Women’s Day

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">What is greenwashing and what does greenwashing mean? It’s always smart to raise a skeptical eyebrow when you hear a company making environmental claims to “save the Earth.” Jumping on an eco-friendly bandwagon may be smart marketing, but beware of greenwashing, a practice designed to influence consumer perception by making you believe that a company or brand is doing more to protect the environment than it really is – whether by outright lies or a simple lack of scientific proof.</h3>
<p>What is greenwashing and what does greenwashing mean? It’s always smart to raise a skeptical eyebrow when you hear a company making environmental claims to “save the Earth.” Jumping on an eco-friendly bandwagon may be smart marketing, but beware of greenwashing, a practice designed to influence consumer perception by making you believe that a company or brand is doing more to protect the environment than it really is – whether by outright lies or a simple lack of scientific proof.</p><h4>EXAMPLES OF GREENWASHING</h4>
<p><br>Truth in Advertising, a site dedicated to “empowering consumers to protect themselves and one another against false advertising and deceptive green marketing,” is calling out companies for misleading us about their so-called cleaner, sustainable products and their environmental impact:</p>

<ul><li>Tide Purclean laundry detergent claims to be “a powerful, plant-based clean you can feel good about.” The truth: 25% of its ingredients are not plant-based, and some are derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.</li><li>Nestle is under legal fire for its corporate greenwashing and misleading claims that it uses “sustainably sourced cocoa beans.” Its key ingredient in chocolate products allegedly contributes to deforestation in West Africa on farms that use child and slave labor.</li><li>Kauai Coffee makes the green claim that its disposable pods are “100% compostable” and “designed to go back to the land – not the landfill.” The catch is that the capsules packaging have only been certified to decompose at “industrial facilities” and not in your backyard compost pile.<br></li></ul>
<p>To be fair, sustainable practices and the eco-friendly gauntlet is new territory for many manufacturers, and few marketing departments are staffed by devious liars. The intentions for sustainable products may be pure, but with so many independent certification organizations trying to fill a federal gap in regulations that might guide us toward a more sustainable future greener regulations, it’s complicated. </p>
<p>And even those certifiers are not exempt from scrutiny; The Rainforest Alliance provides a seal of approval for environmental and social responsibility. However, a clean water group claims that certified farms are cheating by allowing aerial fumigation over schools and homes and open-source rivers with no chemical protection and are suing.</p>
<p>The term greenwashing first appeared in an essay by environmentalist Jay Westerveld in 1986 essay when hotels asked guests to reuse towels as part of a larger so-called environmental strategy to reduce carbon footprint that appeared to be only a cost-cutting strategy, encouraging guests to be environmentally aware when the hotels at large were exhibiting environmentally recklessness.</p><h4>HOW TO SPOT GREENWASHING</h4>
<p>Greenwashing is difficult to spot – and it’s unlikely to stop without a governing body to verify a product's sustainability claims and environmental issues before it is launched to consumers.</p><h5>Many of the terms used on labels have lost all real meaning in the marketplace, and without consensus on a definition, these buzzwords become easy to use with impunity.</h5>
<p>“Any company that says it isn't greenwashing is probably kidding themselves,” writes Emma Loewe, Senior Sustainability Editor at Mind Body Green. This is especially common in the fashion industry making unsubstantiated claims about their sustainable brand, when in reality, their products and supply chain are directly contributing to carbon emissions and climate change.  “I consider it a sign of sincerity – not weakness – when a company discloses what challenges they face in the journey to meet their sustainability goals. After all, if a company only sets goals it knows it can meet, chances are the goals aren't ambitious enough.”</p>
<p>In that spirit, here is what Eli Halliwell, CEO of Hairstory includes in a message to all employees:</p>

<p>“We founded Hairstory on the principles of sustainability. To us, sustainability means much more than good environmental stewardship; it means balance, self-perpetuation, creating something of enduring value. It also means we need to manage the business within the constraints of our current reality…<br><br>We apply the principles of sustainability to our products, to our business conduct, to our environmental footprint. By generating economic activity, we acknowledge that we impact our world – we consume resources, we generate waste. Our goal is to minimize this impact where and whenever possible, recognizing we are bound by the constraints of economics, technology, regulation, and funding. </p>
<p>Our products such as <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/new-wash-original/">New Wash</a> are biodegradable and committed to this goal of sustainability. We joined 1% for the Planet to donate a meaningful share of our sales to water-focused sustainability non-profits.</p>

<p>We live in a world of hyperbole, of greenwashing, of over-promising and under-delivering, and we choose instead the path of honesty, transparency, and evolution. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We are not perfect and never will be, but we must always strive to improve.”</p>
<p>Ever wondered, “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/03/02/what-is-clean-beauty/" target="_blank">What is clean beauty?</a>” or “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/03/02/what-is-sustainable-packaging/" target="_blank">What is sustainable packaging?</a>”. Check out our blog to learn more about these topics and how you can begin your journey to living a more sustainable lifestyle. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sources:</strong><br><br>Emma Loewe mbg Senior Sustainability Editor Emma Loewe is the Senior Sustainability Editor at mindbodygreen and the co-author of The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care. “Greenwashing Is Harming The Environmental Movement: Here's How To Spot It.” <em>Mindbodygreen</em>, 15 Sept. 2020, <a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/greenwashing-definition." target="_blank">URL</a><br><br>“Earth Day 2020: Companies Accused of Greenwashing.” <em>Truth In Advertising</em>, 18 Feb. 2021, <a href="http://www.truthinadvertising.org/six-companies-accused-greenwashing/" target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Campaign for Safe Cosmetics-Working for Safer Cosmetics.” <em>Safe Cosmetics</em>, <a href="http://www.safecosmetics.org/" target="_blank">URL</a></p>

What is Greenwashing?

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<h4 style="text-align: center;">Clean, green, natural, organic, non-toxic, sustainable… what does it all mean? How do we separate the facts from the folklore, the truth from the spin? First off, congratulations for coming here to discover more about the nature of – and the natural impact of beauty products. It is up to consumers to know exactly what it is we’re using and make it clear that we‘re not buying seductive promises disguised in shaky science. We don’t blame you for wandering around the clean beauty space confused; it’s confusing, and sometimes intentionally vague.</h4>
<p>What does clean beauty mean? Sometimes these terms don’t mean much at all in terms of actual regulation, or because of the lack of it in the United States. Here is what we’re up against: An organic ingredient is natural, but natural isn’t necessarily organic. Organic isn’t synthetic, but natural can be. Chemicals can be natural, and organic, except when they’re synthetic. Products can be labeled as organic even if they’re organic-ish. [Head scratch here.] Let’s try and untangle it for you. </p><h4>WHAT DOES CLEAN MEAN?</h4>
<p>Clean is the biggest umbrella in this discussion, and in most cases, is more of an aspiration than a reality. Champions of the clean beauty movement envision a clean conscience as well as clean products: the possibility of personal care and adornment without employing any substance that is harmful in any way to the planet and anyone or anything living on it, animal, mineral, or vegetable. A clean beauty product is ideally made with ingredients that are grown, sourced, refined, or synthesized with minimal impact on ecosystems and contain no harmful chemicals or toxic ingredients. While these are laudable, and some are ultimately achievable goals, the beauty industry contains the word industry, and its very existence makes some of them practically impossible. </p>
<p>The focus on clean beauty mirrors the clean food lifestyle that embraces unrefined and minimally processed ingredients. With the growing awareness of more stringent regulations for cosmetics outside the US – The EU has banned approximately 1,300 chemicals in cosmetics while the United States bans or restricts only 11, according to a health advocacy organization called the Environmental Working Group – consumers are demanding greater transparency with ingredient lists and a deeper commitment to product safety.</p><h4>WHAT DOES GREEN MEAN?</h4>
<p>Green and clean go hand in glove. Green beauty addresses concerns that are mainly about protecting nature from industry and waste – and spotlights a herd of elephants in the room: disposable packaging. Green beauty activists are mostly focused on promoting the extraction or production of materials using organic practices and respecting natural ecosystems. </p><br>

<h4>WHAT DOES “ORGANIC” MEAN?</h4>
<p>The organic classification should be a simple one, but like the rest of this slippery subject, the lines are blurry. According to <a href="https://www.safecosmetics.org/">Campaign for Safe Cosmetics</a>, organic products are one of the least regulated aspects of the industry. In the produce section in the food market, it’s pretty simple, but the beauty aisle has products that combine lots of different ingredients – some natural, some not, some organic, some not – and it’s not so simple. </p>
<p>Certified “organic” has a similar definition across the USA, the UK, and Australia: ingredients that are grown without manufactured pesticides; chemicals; artificial fertilizers; genetically modified organisms; ionizing radiation; sewage sludge; growth regulators, and routine antibiotics use. Once formulated, organic beauty products may not contain artificial or synthetic colors, preservatives, or harmful chemicals, including parabens and sulfates.</p>

<p>When it comes to food, the United States Department of Agriculture requires that in order to boast a “100 percent organic” label, a product must be made with at least 95 percent certified organic ingredients; its processing methods must be organic, and its label must name the agent that certified it. A product that claims to be “made with organic ingredients” must contain at least 70 percent certified organic ingredients. The remaining agricultural ingredients may be conventionally produced but must exclude certain methods.</p>
<p>But when the organic designation is applied to cosmetics – when many raw materials can’t be found on a farm, the USDA steps aside, and the Federal Drug Administration steps in. The agency, however, does not define or regulate “organic” in cosmetics or personal care products; other nations are more sophisticated in this regard to ingredient transparency. It falls on the manufacturers to hold themselves to the highest standards because they believe it’s the right thing to do, not because they’re required to.</p>
<p>However, if a non-food product is made of enough agricultural ingredients and it can meet the USDA standards, organic certification may apply.</p><h5>Products made with under 70 percent organic ingredients may not claim organic on the principal packaging areas but may list specific organic ingredients elsewhere.</h5>
<p>Note that some ingredients cannot be classified as organic, such as water, salt, or clay – and water alone may make up at least 70% of many personal care products in your beauty routine.  </p><h4>WHAT DOES “NATURAL” MEAN?</h4>
<p>Natural is where the gray areas get very gray indeed. The term “natural” isn’t actually regulated at all, and it describes such a vast array of substances – including petroleum, arsenic, and mercury – that it’s a pretty useless filter for making healthy choices. To boot, a product that contains “as little as 1 percent naturally-sourced, plant-based, or mineral ingredients, and up to 30 percent synthetic” ingredients can be labeled a natural product.</p>
<p>An organization called the <a href="https://www.npanational.org/">Natural Products Association</a> is aiming to change things by independently certifying personal and home care products in the US. To certify a product, it must: include at least 95 percent ingredients from natural sources excluding water; avoid health-adverse ingredients; shun animal testing; create partially biodegradable or recycled packaging; list every ingredient on the label, and use 100 percent natural fragrance and colorants.</p><h4>WHAT DOES NON-SYNTHETIC MEAN? </h4>
<p>This is perhaps the trickiest designation of all. A product labeled as “synthetic-free” should contain no man-made ingredients and only ingredients or compounds that are naturally-occurring. </p>
<p>Senior Chemist Michael Slayton, whose talent has been essential in the formulation of Hairstory products, finds this argument frustrating. “It is misleading to refer to a ‘synthetic-free’ product as involving no man-made ingredients. Some ingredients invariably go through a ‘man-made’ process.”</p><h4>IS A SYNTHETIC MATERIAL INFERIOR TO ONE FOUND IN NATURE? </h4>
<p>“I do not believe a ‘naturally occurring’ ingredient is better for you than an equivalent material made in a lab,” says Mr. Slayton. “There is greater consistency in synthetic materials as opposed to those from nature, and this is important for quality during manufacturing. Variation can cause problems.”</p>
<p>Also, there is often a bias against ingredients with names that aren’t recognizable, yet are actually quite ordinary: sodium cocoate is processed coconut oil; sodium chloride is merely salt; citric acid is found in lemons and other citrus fruits. Remember that ingredients are listed from highest percentage to lowest, so purists generally make it a habit to choose products where synthetic ingredients may lurk at the bottom of the list.</p>
<p>However, there is one area where the natural vs synthetic battle may matter: fragrance. If you have an allergic reaction to a product, chances are that one of the fragrance ingredients is to blame. The problem is that product manufacturers in the US are not required to list fragrance ingredients beyond the one phrase “parfum/fragrance.” Most fragrances are at least partially synthetic because it is less costly; essential oils can cost astronomical amounts of money per ounce. Even so, all Hairstory products are made with 100% natural components consisting of essential botanical oils and extracts.</p>

<h4>WHAT DOES NON-TOXIC MEAN?</h4>
<p>A company claiming that its product is non-toxic has presumably avoided ingredients that are known to cause neurological or hormone disruption, cancer, or even death. And even though studies that prove ill-effects have been conducted, phthalates are still used for consistency and pourability; formaldehyde or formaldehyde-forming ingredients are present in nail polish, hairpiece adhesives, and chemical straighteners. Petroleum makes its way into moisturizers and lip balms; lead acetate is common in hair dye and lipstick; coal tar is featured in hair dye and anti-dandruff shampoo.</p>

<p>Some toxins are dangerous when airborne, and others are harmful when applied to the skin, which is porous; some ingredients may be absorbed into the bloodstream and lymphatic system. “It depends on the size and type of material, the area of the body to which it is applied, and how it combines with the other components of the product,” says Mr. Slayton. While the FDA maintains that the chemicals typically used in beauty products are safe in small quantities, potential long-term effects of exposure over time are not always well understood.</p>
<p>The Food and Drug Administration is clear about where their responsibility begins and ends: “Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market. In other words, due diligence falls on the consumer. So to help you out, Here is a shortlist of ingredients you should try and avoid in your hair products if you are concerned about potential toxins: </p><h4>Urea</h4>
<p>Urea is a product of ammonia and carbon dioxide, slows a product’s moisture loss during use, extends shelf-life, and helps maintain product pH. It helps active ingredients penetrate layers of skin, and helps make it softer. Urea is known to release formaldehyde, a human carcinogen. These are some of its forms you might see on ingredient lists:</p><ul><li>Imidazolidinyl urea</li><li>Diazolidinyl urea</li><li>Sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate</li><li>DMDM hydantoin</li></ul><h4>Parabens</h4>
<p>Parabens are used chiefly as preservatives and can mimic the hormone estrogen in human cells, an activity associated with breast cancer tumors.</p><h4>Phthalates</h4>
<p>Often hidden amongst fragrance ingredients, phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system, particularly the developing testes.</p><h4>Sulfates</h4>
<p>Sulfates are detergents made of mineral salts and used as cleaning agents in all kinds of cleansers from shampoo to heavy machinery degreasers. They can strip protective oils from your scalp and hair, damage hair cuticles, and cause scalp irritation or skin irritation, which can lead to hair loss. Keep an eye out  for these variations:</p><ul><li>Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)</li><li>Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)</li><li>Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate</li><li>Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate</li><li>Sodium Lauroyl Taurate</li><li>Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate</li><li>Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate</li><li>Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate</li><li>Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate</li></ul>
<p><br>We created Hairstory products to be ahead of the curve by anticipating global regulations that are far more cautious than those in the US. Our products are not as yet available globally, but our formulations and foresight make it legally possible to be. Hairstory products such as our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/new-wash-refill-club/">environmentally friendly shampoo</a> or <a href="https://hairstory.com/shop/new-wash/">sulfate free shampoo</a> are as clean as possible with the best quality organic, natural, and synthetic ingredients available – and safe for all.</p>
<p>Ever wondered, “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/03/02/what-is-sustainable-packaging/" target="_blank">What is sustainable packaging?</a>” or “<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/03/02/what-is-greenwashing/" target="_blank">What is Greenwashing?</a>”. Check out our blog to learn more about these topics and how you can begin your journey to living a more sustainable lifestyle. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * *<br><strong>Sources:</strong><br>ElBoghdady, Dina. “‘Clean’ Beauty Has Taken over the Cosmetics Industry, but That’s about All Anyone Agrees On.” <em>The Washington Post</em>, WP Company, 11 Mar. 2020, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/clean-beauty-has-taken-over-the-cosmetics-industry-but-thats-about-all-anyone-agrees-on/2020/03/09/2ecfe10e-59b3-11ea-ab68-101ecfec2532_story.html" target="_blank">URL</a><br><br><em>Natural Products Association</em>, 22 Feb. 2021,<a href="http://www.npanational.org/" target="_blank">URL</a><br><br>Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “‘Organic’ Cosmetics.” <em>U.S. Food and Drug Administration</em>, FDA, <a href="http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-claims/organic-cosmetics" target="_blank">URL</a></p><br>

What Is Clean Beauty

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">It’s been just over a century since the first commercial shampoo was invented by Kasey Hebert in 1914. But since that time, we’ve gone from creating a pH-balanced formula in the 1930s to creating numerous solutions that claim to prevent the damage caused by the advances in shampoo technology.</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"> But as new inventions lead to more and more shampoos relying on ingredients created in labs, we’re getting further and further away from what’s healthy and natural. In fact, the hair industry – both commercially and individually – <a href="https://theconversation.com/change-the-way-you-wash-your-hair-to-help-save-the-environment-111113">has created a considerable carbon footprint over time</a>.</p>
<p>We know that nourishing your scalp is so important. There are easy ways to take care of your scalp like using a <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/accessories/scalp-brush/">scalp brush</a> to stimulate blood flow and remove product build-up. (Here are a few tips on <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/05/06/scalp-exfoliation-why-how-how-often/">how to exfoliate your scalp</a>!) While caring for your scalp is an important part of any hair care routine, are we unknowingly washing our scalps with products that do more harm than good?</p><h4>IS SHAMPOO ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?</h4>
<p>It seems innocent enough – a product designed to clean your hair. It removes the dirt and oil, leaving your hair shiny and full of life. But is shampoo bad for the environment? Well, if you read the ingredients on the back of a shampoo bottle, you might be surprised. Many shampoos are filled with harmful chemicals you’ve never heard of and aren’t able to pronounce. These chemicals may not only be harmful to you, but they can also harm the environment. Plus, they strip your hair of natural oils, forcing you to purchase a separate, often equally harmful condition to replenish the oils you’ve lost. </p>
<p>In addition to harmful-for-everyone chemicals, many shampoos are sold in plastic bottles that are often only partially or totally unrecyclable. These bottles have already caused a tremendous amount of waste and done extensive damage to our planet. They’re dumped in our landfills and oceans, harming our atmosphere and our wildlife while they take thousands of years to decompose. </p><h4>HOW DOES SHAMPOO POLLUTE THE WATER?</h4>
<p>Unfortunately, shampoos have done lasting damage to our water supply in two major ways: their ingredients and the plastic containers that hold them. </p>
<p>One of the major environmental impacts of shampoo comes from the simple act of rinsing your hair. As the shampoo leaves your hair, the chemicals are sent down your drain and out into the water supply. These chemicals have been found in a variety of environments, including wastewater, surface water, sediment, groundwater, and drinking water. </p>
<p>Luckily, our drinking water is treated so you’re not ingesting those chemicals (another process that can be harmful to the environment), but our lakes, rivers, and oceans are not. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/wqc/contaminants-emerging-concern-including-pharmaceuticals-and-personal-care-products">These chemicals can harm both aquatic life</a> and the animals that drink from these bodies of water. Research has shown that the chemicals in personal care products can change the hormone levels in aquatic organisms, which can cause a variety of health problems, including damaging their ability to reproduce. </p>
<p>Then there are the plastic bottles used to hold your shampoo. Many of them are either only partially recyclable or cannot be recycled, so they end up in our oceans and landfills.<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment/2018/08/5-reasons-ditch-your-shampoo-bottle-shampoo-bar">About nine million tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually,</a> which is about one garbage truck of plastic every minute. These plastics can survive in water for thousands of years if they’re not consumed by marine life. When they are ingested, the chemicals in the plastic can injure or poison the animals. Those that don’t make their way into the bodies of these animals become floating waste, serving as transportation vehicles for invasive species, which can upset and damage very delicate habitats. </p>
<p>Dumping plastic in a landfill is equally dangerous. As they’re buried deeper into the pile and begin to decompose slowly, they can leach dangerous chemicals that eventually make their way into our groundwater and our air.<br></p>

<h4>WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN SHAMPOO?</h4>
<p>Shampoos can contain a wide variety of ingredients that can be harmful to you and the environment. While some of these ingredients seem innocent enough, they’re often misleading. Carefully reading all labels will help you determine whether or not your shampoo is safe. </p>

<ul><li><strong>Fragrance:</strong> Most companies use this word as a catch-all for what could be a long list of <a href="https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2007/12/ask-ewg-what-fragrance">potentially harmful chemicals</a>. Legally, thanks to an FDA loophole, companies can name almost any ingredient as “fragrance” if they claim it’s part of their trade-secret formula. Without knowing the specific chemicals involved, these could do damage to you (skin irritation, asthma, cancer, etc.) and the environment. But natural fragrances, such as the ones we use at Hairstory, are comprised of 100% natural, essential oils and are actually good for your hair. Get the lowdown on <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/01/28/natural-vs-synthetic-fragrance/">natural vs. synthetic fragrance</a> here.</li><li><strong>Synthetic colors:</strong> While they may make your shampoo look pretty, synthetic colors are made from petroleum or coal-tar sources, which can be harmful to yourself and the environment.  </li><li><strong>Parabens:</strong>Parabens are used to preserve the shelf life of many shampoos. But recently, scientists have begun to question their safety. In humans, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20151027/parabens-breast-cancer#1">they’ve been connected to increased growth of breast cancer cells</a>. They can kill coral and have been found in surface waters, marine mammals, fish, and sediments. The best decision is to switch to a paraben-free shampoo (like New Wash)!</li><li><strong>1,4 Dioxane:</strong> This clear liquid is often found in paint strippers, dyes, varnishes. But it’s also found in body washes and shampoo! It’s the ingredient that makes your products sudsy. <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/09/is-your-shampoo-poisoning-your-drinking-water/">This synthetic product isn’t easily biodegradable</a>, and it’s considered a “likely human carcinogen” that can harm your liver, kidney, and central nervous system. It’s also considered toxic to aquatic plants and invertebrates. Dioxane has been found in the drinking water in 45 out of 50 states, and you cannot filter it out with a home filter. What’s more, because the FDA doesn’t require companies to list contaminants in their products’ ingredients, it’s difficult to know if it’s in your shampoo. </li><li><strong>Methylisothiazolinone:</strong> <a href="https://www.ewg.org/childrenshealth/22374/coming-soon-store-near-you-ewg-verified-hair-care">A hazardous preservative</a> that can cause allergic reactions and may poison the nervous system.  </li><li><strong>Triclosan (TCS):</strong> Although this was banned from being used in antibacterial soaps in 2016, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012398254400008X">it’s still allowed in shampoo</a> (as well as toothpaste and deodorant). When combined with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform, a possible human carcinogen. It’s also known to cause hormone disruptions, which can lead to cancer and affect fetal development, among other things. TCS can harm algae and can cause reproductive and developmental delays in fish and their eggs.</li></ul><h4>THE TRUTH ABOUT SULFATES IN SHAMPOO</h4>
<p>You may have heard or read about sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and believe that you need to avoid these ingredients. These two chemicals are considered surfactants – it’s what makes your shampoo lather or foam up when you rub it into your hair. They’re also found in toothpaste and foaming cleansers.</p>
<p>The truth is, you should stay away from sulfates. These products’ chemicals can irritate your skin, causing severe skin irritation and possible itchy rashes. They also dry out your hair, causing weakened, broken hair strands and split ends. Read more about why you should <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2019/01/15/get-sulfates-out-your-life-and-your-hair/">get sulfates out of your life and your hair</a>.</p><h4>WHAT SHAMPOO IS BEST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?</h4>
<p>Selecting a shampoo that is good for the environment involves a careful review of the ingredients list as well as considering the packaging. </p><h5>Look for eco-friendly shampoos that use all-natural ingredients such as essential oils and natural minerals. Every ingredient should be clearly listed with scents and colors from fruit and plant extracts, not a vague term like “fragrance.” </h5>
<p>Avoid shampoos that have any of the ingredients included in the list above. But be aware that even all-natural, plant-based ingredients can cause an allergic reaction, so read all ingredients carefully to avoid any known allergens.</p>
<p>Some ingredients that aren’t considered toxic to humans or animals can still be harmful to the environment. One such ingredient is palm oil, a type of vegetable oil used to help restore the hair’s natural oils. Palm oil grows in tropical rainforests, and because of its low cost, many of these forests have been damaged beyond repair. The devastating loss of these entire ecosystems has contributed to climate change, affected local communities, and caused endangered species, such as orangutans, tigers, elephants, to lose their homes. We recommend avoiding products with palm oil unless you know how the product was sourced.</p>
<p>When it comes to packaging, find shampoos that aren’t sold in plastic bottles. <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/02/25/benefits-of-using-refillable-shampoo-bottles/" target="_blank">Reusable shampoo bottles</a> (ours are <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/accessories/new-wash-bottle/">refillable aluminum canisters</a>, available in 20 oz. and 30 oz. sizes) are an excellent way to minimize your plastic consumption. Purchasing products that both wash and condition your hair, like our sulfate-free shampoo alternative, <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">New Wash</a>, is another way to cut down on packaging waste. </p>

<h4>IS DRY SHAMPOO BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?</h4>
<p>If you’re unfamiliar, dry shampoo is a powder-like product that can be sprinkled (or sprayed) onto your hair to remove oils or sweat and give you a fresh, clean look without needing to wash or rinse – or even shower. But, although the idea of spending extra time catching up on much-need sleep instead of washing and drying your hair in the morning sounds great, some dry shampoos are actually very harmful to the environment. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/05/whats-inside-dry-shampoo/">Dry shampoos often contain a harmful combination of talc</a> (which has been linked to cancer), butane and propane (items more commonly used for your gas grill), and fragrance (which, we’ve already learned, can be any combination of harmful chemicals). Plus, it’s usually packaged in an aerosol can. While these cans no longer contain the same environmentally-harmful ingredients as those hairspray cans of previous generations, they’re powered by butane and propane, two highly flammable ingredients. All in all, not a good idea for you or the environment.</p>

<p>But, there is some good news. Not all dry shampoos are the same. If you want the benefits of a dry shampoo without increasing your risk for cancer or potentially setting your hair on fire, you can find ones without these harmful ingredients. Our dry shampoo, <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/styling/powder/">Powder</a>, is talc-free and comes in a non-aerosol bottle, eliminating all harm to you and the environment. </p><h4>IS HAIR CONDITIONER BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?</h4>
<p>Many of the ingredients that are harmful in shampoos can also be found in conditioners. Parabens are also used as preservatives in conditioners. So is TCS, which is used to prevent bacteria growth. Unknown chemicals included under the vague term of “fragrances” are found in conditioners as well. </p>
<p>However, if you want to condition your hair, there are many natural, inexpensive ways to do so on your own:</p><ul><li><strong>Apple cider vinegar:</strong> Although this is not bad for the environment, be aware that it can sting if it gets into your eyes. To create a conditioner out of apple cider vinegar, mix one to two tablespoons with a pint of water.  </li><li><strong>Raw eggs and tea:</strong>Pour onto hair, work through and rinse.</li><li><strong>Essential oils:</strong> Coconut oil, safflower oil, rosemary oil, and others can be used to add natural oils back into the hair and scalp after shampooing. Add just a few drops – a little goes a long way – then rinse.</li></ul>

<h4>MINIMIZING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT</h4>
<p>In addition to using environmentally-friendly shampoos, dry shampoos, and conditioners for your hair, there are other steps you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your hair care routine. </p><h5>Wash less often, conserve water</h5>
<p>Obviously, washing your hair means more time spent in the shower, which means using more water. One way to cut back on water consumption and help the planet is to wash your hair less often. Not only are fewer chemicals going down the drain if you’re using an eco-friendly shampoo, but less water is going down the drain as well. Here are more ideas of <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/02/25/going-green-making-your-shower-eco-friendly/" target="_blank">how to be more eco-friendly</a> in your shower routine.</p>

<p>If your immediate response is to argue that your hair gets too dirty or oily if you don’t wash it daily, start slow. Begin by going to every other day, getting your hair used to the idea of skipping some time in between shampoos. On the “no-wash days,” try an updo – a cute bun, loose braids or even a simple ponytail – to avoid the fear that your hair will look dirty and limp. If you’re still struggling with oiliness, get ideas for <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/05/06/what-is-your-oily-scalp-telling-you/#:~:text=If%20your%20scalp%20is%20excessively,trying%20to%20tell%20you%20something.&text=First%2C%20the%20natural%20oil%20your,is%20%E2%80%93%20well%2C%20too%20much.">oily scalp remedies</a> here. </p>
<p>Once your hair has gotten used to skipping a day, try two. Create a routine where day one (the wash day) is the day you wear your hair down. On day two, use dry shampoo to absorb some of the oil and add volume for a cute half-up/half-down hairstyle. And, for day three, throw it in a bun or ponytail. Continue to challenge yourself and see if you can get to the point where you only need to wash your hair twice a week.</p><h5>Turn down the heat when you wash your hair</h5>
<p>It’s not only the amount of water you use that’s important, it’s also the heat of the water. Hot water consumes a lot of energy, which increases your carbon footprint. Plus, really hot water opens your pores, removing a lot of the natural bacteria that help keep our skin healthy and able to fight off the bad bacteria. By washing your hair in warm water, not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, but you’re also keeping yourself healthy. Plus, it’ll save you money on your electrical bill. Try it for a month, and if you haven’t gotten used to the cooler temperature, perhaps the lower electric bill will be enough to convince you to make a permanent switch. </p><h5>Be stingy with your products</h5>
<p>We’re not just talking about shampoo here. Whether it’s body wash, hair products, or lotion, try cutting back a little. It’s likely that you’re using much more than you need. Take some time to figure out the exact amount you should use to get desired results, and then stick to that amount each and every time. Not only will this help your wallet, but it will also put fewer pollutants (non-recyclable containers, harmful chemicals) into our landfills and water supply. </p><h5>Conserve, even on vacation</h5>
<p>A weekend getaway or a luxurious week to forget about the pressure of daily life doesn’t mean you should throw away the good habits you’ve created at home. Stick to your conservationist ways while staying at a hotel. This doesn’t only apply to your hair care routine; make a conscious effort to reuse your towels and sheets as well. </p><h5>Spread the word</h5>
<p>Once you’ve settled into a new routine and are both confident and comfortable with your environmental efforts, share your strategy with others. Your friends and family may not be aware of the simple things they can do to help save the planet. Offer to be their support and accountability buddy as they work to change. Then, encourage them to reach out to others. One person’s effort can multiply, making a large impact on our environment. </p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Denise Baden Associate Professor in Business Ethics. “Change the Way You Wash Your Hair to Help Save the Environment.” <em>The Conversation</em>, 12 Jan. 2021, <a href="http://theconversation.com/change-the-way-you-wash-your-hair-to-help-save-the-environment-111113." target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Contaminants of Emerging Concern Including Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products.” <em>EPA</em>, Environmental Protection Agency, 1 Sept. 2020, <a href="http://www.epa.gov/wqc/contaminants-emerging-concern-including-pharmaceuticals-and-personal-care-products" target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">HALE, Photograph by REBECCA. “5 Reasons to Ditch Your Shampoo Bottle for a Shampoo Bar.” <em>National Geographic</em>, 5 Nov. 2020, <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment/2018/08/5-reasons-ditch-your-shampoo-bottle-shampoo-bar" target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thomson, Amy. “Is Your Shampoo Poisoning Your Drinking Water?” <em>Mother Jones</em>, 7 Sept. 2017, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/09/is-your-shampoo-poisoning-your-drinking-water/" target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ewg. “Coming Soon to a Store Near You: EWG VERIFIED™ Hair Care.” <em>EWG</em>, 19 Dec. 2018, <a href="http://www.ewg.org/childrenshealth/22374/coming-soon-store-near-you-ewg-verified-hair-care" target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hontela, Alice, and Hamid R. Habibi. “Personal Care Products in the Aquatic Environment: A Case Study on the Effects of Triclosan in Fish.” <em>Fish Physiology</em>, Academic Press, 3 Dec. 2013, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012398254400008X" target="_blank">URL</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sneed, Annie. “What's Inside Dry Shampoo? Alcohol, Petroleum, and Clay.” <em>Wired</em>, Conde Nast, 6 June 2017, <a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/05/whats-inside-dry-shampoo/" target="_blank">URL</a></p>

How Shampoo Impacts the Environment

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<h4 style="text-align: center;">We go through approximately 16 bottles of shampoo & conditioner every year.&nbsp;</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;">These plastic bottles are used once and then discarded, often thrown in the trash instead of the recycling can. Why? Well,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/climate/plastic-pollution-study-science-advances.html">many of the plastic bottles</a>&nbsp;that hold shampoo and conditioner are only partially or totally unrecyclable. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/woodmackenzie/2019/09/02/will-aluminium-cans-replace-plastic-bottles/?sh=44078dcf12a0">when they are recyclable</a>, we often throw them away in the most convenient place – the bathroom garbage can.</p>

<p>In fact, we only recycle&nbsp;9%&nbsp;of our plastic! That’s right,&nbsp;<strong>nine percent</strong>. But we do put more than that in our recycling bins. What happens to those plastics? Shockingly, 70% of the plastic that’s collected for recycling is never actually recycled.&nbsp;So, out of the 91% of plastic that’s thrown away, about 12% is incinerated, and 79% is tossed into landfills or the natural environment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Clearly, it’s time for a change. Instead of trying to figure out how we can make sure more plastic is recycled, we can begin to reduce or eliminate the need for it. There are easy ways to do just that, such as&nbsp;switching to reusable, refillable shampoo bottles.</p>
<h5>WHY ARE PLASTIC SHAMPOO BOTTLES SO BAD?</h5>
<p>After a plastic product has been used and tossed into a landfill, it’ll continue to do damage.</p>
<h4>The plastic that’s sitting in our landfills can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, and in the process, it’s leaking toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, soil, waterways, and ocean.&nbsp;</h4>
<p>In other words, our plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles are doing tremendous harm to us, other living beings on land and in the water, and to our environment.</p>

<p>In addition, the majority of the plastic that’s ever been made is still very slowly decaying.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/climate/plastic-pollution-study-science-advances.html">It’s estimated that about 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic</a>&nbsp;have been thrown away since 1950. Of that amount, about 4.9 billion metric tons are still in landfills or throughout our environment. It’s estimated that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/06/partner-content-ocean-of-hope-in-a-shampoo-bottle/">if the trend continues</a>, by 2050 there will be about 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste in landfills or in the natural environment,&nbsp;and there will be more plastic, by weight, in our oceans than fish. Additionally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-16/aluminum-crushing-plastic-in-the-battle-for-the-greener-bottle">most of this discarded waste has caused $2.2 trillion a year</a>&nbsp;worth of environmental and social damage.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But, it’s not only the after-life of single-use plastic that’s concerning to environmentalists, it’s also the production. About <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90412294/the-future-of-packaging-could-be-as-simple-as-a-bar-of-soap">300 million tons of plastic are produced each year</a>. The production alone causes damage to ourselves, wildlife, marine life, and the environment. Plastic is made from oil or natural gas, also called fossil fuels. Once it’s removed from the earth, it must be refined. Both the removal and the refining can release toxic chemicals, polluting the air, water, soil, etc.</p>

<p>Now you know the effects of plastic on the environment but have you ever wondered&nbsp;<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/02/25/how-shampoo-impacts-the-environment/">how shampoo impacts the environment</a>? Unfortunately, some ingredients in shampoo can be unsafe, not only for you but also for the earth.</p>

<h5>WHY SHOULD YOU REFILL SHAMPOO BOTTLES?</h5>
<p>Made out of aluminum, reusable shampoo bottles do much less harm to ourselves, other living beings, and the environment. There are many benefits of using refillable shampoo bottles and we’ll break down a few of them for you here.</p>
<p>Admittedly, producing aluminum isn’t that much more eco-friendly than producing plastic. Aluminum is made by extracting refining mined bauxite ore – an expensive and energy-consuming practice. But, aluminum bottles can act as a dispenser that can be filled and refilled over and over again without losing their shape.</p>

<p>It’s not only that aluminum bottles can be used multiple times; aluminum’s after-life is exponentially better than a plastic bottle. When an aluminum product is finished, <a href="https://bar-none.co/blogs/bar-none/aluminium-the-infinitely-recyclable-material">it can be recycled repeatedly without losing any volume</a> or quality during the recycling process. So if 100% of the aluminum that was recycled is still there, then that shampoo or conditioner bottle can once again be turned into a reusable bottle without needing any new material. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/woodmackenzie/2019/09/02/will-aluminium-cans-replace-plastic-bottles/?sh=44078dcf12a0">Aluminum is one of the world’s most recycled materials</a>, and, even better, recycling it takes 90% less energy than it would to make it from scratch.</p>
<p>As an added bonus, it’s usually cheaper. Companies can use less plastic to make containers that hold the reusable shampoo or conditioner because these containers won’t need to be as hard and durable as a container that must withstand daily water pressure and incorporate an easy-to-pour design. The savings of using less plastic are then passed on to you, the consumer.</p>

<h5>THE PROBLEM WITH REFILLABLE SHAMPOO BOTTLES</h5>
<p>Sounds great, right? So why are there problems? </p>
<p>Currently, the two major problems with refillable bottles are price and where/how to refill them. The majority of refills are available at refill stations, which aren’t always convenient for people. In fact, refill stations aren’t even available in most towns – they’re typically found in big cities. And, the brands that offer a refill station are usually selling high-end products found in luxury department stores, something that isn’t affordable to everyone. </p>
<p>Between the lack of convenience and a high price point, using refillable bottles is simply out of reach for many people. Instead, many choose to buy in bulk, reducing the amount of waste as best they can. </p>

<h5>HOW CAN YOU REFILL A SHAMPOO BOTTLE?</h5>

<p>Currently, one of the best ways to refill shampoo and conditioner bottles, regardless of where you live, is to order refills online and have them delivered to your home. You can order refillable shampoo containers online through a variety of sites. We sell our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/accessories/new-wash-bottle/">20 oz. aluminum canisters</a> for $10 each. </p>
<p>When looking for refillable shampoo and conditioner containers, don’t forget to do the math. Add up the product and shipping costs as well as how frequently you’ll need to order to determine if the price is actually affordable. For example, with our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/refill-club/">Refill Club</a>, in addition to receiving the refillable shampoo canister for free, you’ll save up to 15% on refill pouches. The club allows you to decide how often you’d like to receive a 20-oz or 32-oz refill pouch, and they’re automatically sent to your home with free shipping. </p>

<h5>OTHER WAYS TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE CLEANING YOUR HAIR </h5>
<p>If you’re looking to refill shampoo bottles because of the environmental impact, odds are you’ll find the brands that sell these products are eco-conscious in other ways. Some may contribute to environmental organizations like 1% for the Planet, where, like us, they donate a meaningful share of their sales to water-focused sustainability non-profits. </p>
<p>Other companies may choose to reduce their global footprint by sourcing the most environmentally-friendly packaging available for their refill containers. Currently, our refills come in pouches that use 69% less plastic, energy, and water to produce than bottles. Members of our Refill Club use 91% less plastic and 82% less CO2 to wash and condition their hair. </p>
<p>As an additional benefit to you and the environment, you’ll also find companies who exclude unpronounceable, harmful chemicals. If you’re washing and rinsing your hair with parabens, fragrances, synthetic colors, sulfates, and other dangerous chemicals, they’re sent down your drain and out into the water supply. They’ll end up in a variety of environments, including wastewater, surface water, sediment, groundwater, and drinking water. But many companies that sell shampoo and conditioner in reusable bottles use all-natural ingredients in their products. Look for those that are made with essential oils and natural minerals, as well as ones that are biodegradable, like our <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">New Wash</a>.</p>
<p>Look for other ways to ditch the plastic and use refillable aluminium bottles for things like a soap dispenser, cleaning product, or body wash.</p>
<p>Whatever additional benefits you may find, we applaud all individuals and companies who share our passion for the environment and take meaningful steps to improve their carbon footprint.</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><sub>* * *</sub></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><sub>Sources:</sub></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Schlossberg, Tatiana. “The Immense, Eternal Footprint Humanity Leaves on Earth: Plastics.” <em>The New York Times</em>, The New York Times, 19 July 2017, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/climate/plastic-pollution-study-science-advances.html">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Mackenzie, Wood. “Will Aluminium Cans Replace Plastic Bottles?” <em>Forbes</em>, Forbes Magazine, 2 Sept. 2019, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/woodmackenzie/2019/09/02/will-aluminium-cans-replace-plastic-bottles/?sh=44078dcf12a0">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Schlossberg, Tatiana. “The Immense, Eternal Footprint Humanity Leaves on Earth: Plastics.” <em>The New York Times</em>, The New York Times, 19 July 2017, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/climate/plastic-pollution-study-science-advances.html">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Brennan, Katy. “An Ocean of Hope in a Shampoo Bottle.” <em>Environment</em>, National Geographic, 10 Feb. 2021, <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/06/partner-content-ocean-of-hope-in-a-shampoo-bottle/">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub><em>Bloomberg.com</em>, Bloomberg, <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-16/aluminum-crushing-plastic-in-the-battle-for-the-greener-bottle">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Segran, Elizabeth. “The Future of Packaging Could Be as Simple as a Bar of Soap.” <em>Fast Company</em>, Fast Company, 2 Oct. 2019, <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/90412294/the-future-of-packaging-could-be-as-simple-as-a-bar-of-soap">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Bar-None.co. “Aluminium: the Infinitely Recyclable Material.” <em>Bar</em>, <a href="http://bar-none.co/blogs/bar-none/aluminium-the-infinitely-recyclable-material">URL</a></sub></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><sub>Mackenzie, Wood. “Will Aluminium Cans Replace Plastic Bottles?” <em>Forbes</em>, Forbes Magazine, 2 Sept. 2019, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/woodmackenzie/2019/09/02/will-aluminium-cans-replace-plastic-bottles/?sh=44078dcf12a0">URL</a></sub></p>

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