Why Fragrance in Shampoo Can Harm Your Health
Shampoo is a product most of us use on a
daily basis, so it’s quite important to know what the ingredients that
we use on our scalp and hair are. That can be easier said than done as
many manufacturers load their labels up with ingredients the average
person has never heard of. Fortunately, there is one word on your
shampoo bottle that is easily comprehensible, and according to experts,
it's presence means that you should toss the bottle or leave it on the
supermarket shelf. That word is fragrance. Read on to find out why this
word actually contains many harmful ingredients, and what other
components you should look out for when picking a shampoo.
What’s the problem with fragrance?
In the US, scents are proprietary and classified as trade secrets. That
means personal care and perfume companies are not obliged to disclose
the hundreds or even thousands of unregulated chemicals that comprise
their recipes. When you see the word ‘fragrance’ on an ingredients list,
it is usually a blanket term for a myriad of synthetic chemicals, some
of which can be hazardous to our health.
"The lovely smell in every bottle is a
blend of a variety of toxic ingredients such as phthalates that are
linked to reproductive and developmental damage," explained Jolene
Caufield, senior advisor specializing in healthy living, wellness, and
healthcare, to Best Life. "And all in all, synthetic fragrances are
known to be carcinogenic (have the potential to cause cancer) and are
linked to hormone disruptions. In the long run, these can damage the
scalp and cause extreme hair fall." Another risk factor is that a lot of
blood vessels tend to form in the scalp, which means these chemicals
could potentially absorb into your bloodstream.
Of course, not all fragrances must be
avoided. If they come from a natural source, they are absolutely fine
for your hair. Knowing whether a company is using natural components in
their formula is easy enough - most companies will usually be very
apparent with natural ingredients. If a fragrance comes from a natural
essence, it will be listed by its actual name - orange peel oil, for
example. So unless the label specifically says ‘natural fragrance’, the
scent is created with one or more chemical compounds.
Other shampoo ingredients to look out for
If you decide to inspect labels more carefully on your next shopping
trip, there are a few other undesirable ingredients that you should be
aware of. Many hair experts strongly advocate for sulfate-free shampoos.
Until the early 2000s sulfates were a legitimate ingredient used in
most products to enhance their soapy, sudsy texture. However, sulfates
were found to cause irritation and be extremely harsh on the hair and
scalp, to the point they’re now seen as toxins. While the use of
sulfates in shampoos has drastically declined, some products might still
contain them.
Another thing experts caution against is
formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Although these materials can keep a
shampoo intact for longer, they are also designed to kill things like
yeast, mold, and bacteria. That might seem like a good thing, but it
actually means these materials are too harsh for human skin and can
cause irritation. According to Caulfield, the most common preservatives
you may see on a shampoo label include quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin,
and imidazolidinyl urea.
Lastly, triscolan is a harmful ingredient that can be found in many
kinds of toothpaste, soaps, and shampoos. According to the Mayo Clinic,
research has shown that triclosan "alters hormone regulation in animals,
might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs, and
might be harmful to the immune system."
In conclusion, to make sure you’re making the best choice for your
health when buying shampoo, experts advise you to look for
fragrance-free shampoos and take the time to scan the labels for the
other less than great ingredients you are now familiar with.