The truth about ingredients in shampoos

In the realm of hair care, a variety of products aim to maintain the health, shine, and beauty of our hair. Modern shampoos are advanced with the potential to include around 30 different ingredients. The increasing demand for sulphate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free shampoos is understandable. In this discussion, we delve into these components, addressing key questions and guiding you on how to identify and understand their roles in hair products.

Silicones, sulphates and parabens

Silicones in shampoo

What purpose do sulphates serve in hair care?

What do parabens do in shampoo?

Benefits of silicone and paraben-free shampoos

Silicones are commonly found in a variety of hair products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, and styling sprays. But what exactly are silicones? The term 'silicone' denotes a group of synthetic polymers where silicon atoms are connected through oxygen atoms to create molecular chains and structures. This versatility in compounds gives rise to a diverse set of characteristics that make them ideal for inclusion in hair care items.

Silicones in shampoo

Silicones are used in many conventional shampoos and conditioners to make hair manageable, soft and smooth. They form a kind of protective film around each strand, ensuring a smooth surface and a silky feel. Silicones also contribute to reducing frizz , i.e. the uncontrollable sticking out of hair, and shielding it from heat and environmental influences. They add shine to dull hair and facilitate detangling, making it easier to comb through. By coating each strand, silicones can also add lightness, volume and bounce to the hair.
To identify silicones in shampoos or other cosmetics, it's essential to check the ingredient list. Most silicone compounds have names ending in -cone, -siloxane or - conol. Typical representatives of this class include dimethicone, cyclohexasiloxane or dimethiconaol, with dimethicone being the most frequently used silicone in hair care products.

Why use silicone-free shampoo?

The positive effects that silicones in shampoo and similar products can deliver may seem appealing at first. It may therefore come as a surprise when some ask why silicones in shampoo are not a good idea. For a start, silicones are largely considered safe.

However, there are compelling reasons for choosing silicone-free hair care products. Although silicones and silicone derivatives "coat" the skin and hair, which makes them feel soft and smooth, they also seal off pores and hair cuticles, thus impeding the penetration of valuable nutrients. This is, why silicones also make hair more difficult to colour. Some users also report that silicones "weigh down" their hair and result in the accumulation of product residues that are difficult to wash out.

Some silicones are not very environmentally friendly due to their poor biodegradability, which can lead to accumulation in water bodies, posing challenges for wastewater treatment and potential pollution of rivers or lakes. The highest environmental risk comes from silicones present in rinse-off cosmetic products like shampoos.

Choosing silicone-free shampoos, such as those offered by lavera, is a sensible option. Firstly, these shampoos can still provide hair-smoothing benefits, giving a shiny appearance and a silky texture without weighing the hair down. Secondly, silicone-free shampoos are often more environmentally friendly, as they are easily biodegradable and do not leave harmful residues. Lastly, opting for silicone-free shampoos can contribute to maintaining healthier hair in the long run.

Do lavera shampoos contain silicones?

In certified natural cosmetics, lavera consciously refrain from using silicones in our shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments. We prioritise natural ingredients such as plant oils, proteins, peptides, amino acid derivatives and botanical extracts that can be absorbed by the skin and hair, and offer silicone-free shampoos, conditioners and treatments that gently cleanse and condition the hair. What's more, our formulas are vegan, free from microplastics and easily biodegradable.

Tip: When switching to silicone-free shampoo, be patient! Your hair may look a little stressed during the transition and may take a short while to adjust!

Sulphates, a type of surfactant, are responsible for the cleansing properties of shampoo. Their main function is to remove oily dirt and grease from the hair by making oils and fats soluble in water. This unique ability helps make dirt particles, including styling product residues, water-soluble and easily rinsed out. Additionally, sulphates are highly water-soluble, aiding in the creation of a rich lather that can be evenly distributed throughout the hair.

However, it's important to note that sulphates, due to their potent cleaning properties, can strip the skin and hair of natural oils, leading to dryness in both the hair and scalp. To prevent this, it's advisable to avoid using shampoos containing sulphates on a daily basis.

What purpose do sulphates serve in hair care?

To find out if a shampoo contains sulphates, simply check the list of ingredients on the label. Commonly used sulphates include sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) and ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS).
Sodium laureth Sulphate (SLES) is a surfactant used in many shampoos and conditioners to cleanse the hair of oily dirt and grease. It is closely related to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and has similar detergent properties. Although SLES is considered a milder surfactant than SLS, it can still dry out the scalp in some people. When choosing the right shampoo, make sure you always consider the specific needs and characteristics of your hair type.
Conventional cosmetics mainly use sulphates such as SLS and SLES, which have strong detergent properties, produce a lot of foam and, most importantly, are inexpensive. However, these can irritate and dry out the skin and there are environmental concerns. By contrast, natural cosmetics use milder sulphates that are more eco-friendly and better tolerated. They tend to be a little more expensive as they are obtained from plant sources and the extraction process is often more complex and costly.
The surfactants or sulphates used in lavera products are mild, easily biodegradable and well tolerated. They are derived from renewable raw materials and represent an eco-friendlier and gentler alternative to more aggressive, synthetic surfactants. Our natural alternatives to SLS or SLES include sulphate surfactants (e.g. sodium coco-sulphate, SCS) derived from coconut oil. As other alternatives to synthetic surfactants we use include sugar surfactants (e.g. decyl glucoside) and betaines (e.g. cocamidopropyl betaine).

What do parabens do in shampoo?

Parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetic products, including shampoos. They help to extend their shelf life by preventing the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi.

How do I know if a shampoo contains parabens?

To determine whether a shampoo contains parabens, simply look at the list of ingredients. They are easily recognisable by their suffix, "-paraben", e.g. "methylparaben", "propylparaben" or "butylparaben".

Why is it better to use paraben-free shampoo?

While parabens are generally considered to have the lowest allergenic potential among preservatives, some individuals may still experience allergic reactions to them. Moreover, there are concerns regarding the impact of butyl and propyl parabens on the endocrine system, as highlighted in the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) amended safety assessment of Parabens. This suggests that parabens could imitate the effects of hormones like estrogen in the human body, potentially disrupting the hormonal balance. Although scientific consensus on this matter is not definitive, many people choose to use paraben-free shampoos as a precaution. Parabens are prohibited in certified natural cosmetic products, such as those offered by lavera.

Benefits of silicone and paraben-free shampoos

Using silicone and paraben-free shampoo offers a range of benefits. One advantage is the potential reduction of health risks. At lavera, we opt for essential oils instead of parabens. Silicone-free shampoo provides a natural smoothness and silkiness to your hair. In our products, we achieve this using ingredients like vegetable oils (such as argan oil, macadamia oil, or jojoba oil), proteins (like pea protein), and plant-based conditioning agents like guar gum (INCI: guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride) or rapeseed oil (INCI: PCA glyceryl oleate). Avoiding silicones not only benefits your hair but also the environment. While sulphates and surfactants are crucial for cleaning in shampoos, opting for mild surfactants is a more skin- and eco-friendly choice. lavera opts for natural alternatives like sulphate surfactants, sugar surfactants, or betaines. Our shampoos, hair treatments, and conditioners are free from silicone and parabens, and formulated with mild surfactants.