Sulfate-Free Hair Care Products…. What Does It Mean?
Brands use terms like sustainable and 100% organic only for marketing purposes.
We look for trending labels on our hair care products, but what does it all mean?
Sulfates, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂(OCH₂CH₂)ₙOSO₃Na is one type of sulfate that is used in shampoos and is a common chemical in various cleaning products. When mixed, it is exceptional for washing away oils and dirt build-up, but if it is so great, why are many products stamped with no sulfate?
With the exception that sulfates work so well that it strips all the oils and moisture from hair and leaves it dry and brittle,
the environmental and chemical concerns are:
- With long-term use, sulfates irritate eyes, skin, and lungs.
- It can be contaminated. 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen that causes cancer, has been found in sulfates.
- It is toxic to aquatic animals when washed down drains and,
- Many products are tested on animals.
The bottom line is that products with sulfates have a negative impact on your health, are essentially not 100% cruelty-free, and are not environmentally friendly!
