Starrynight wants to know: I read in Marie Claire that shampoos formulated with natural cleansers like Aveda, Phyto and Ojon are better for your hair than other brands. What do you say about that?
The Right Brain responds:
Here’s a quote from the article Starry mentions…
“All shampoos contain cleansers,” explains Christyn Nawrot, a regional educator for Phyto. But those with naturally derived cleansers are less apt to rob your hair of vital oils. (Phyto, Lavett & Chin, Ojon and Aveda use natural cleansers in all of their shampoos.)”
Hoo boy! This is the kind of question the Beauty Brains just love because natural is one of the buzz words in this industry that doesn’t mean very much. Let’s take a look at the “natural” cleansers in the products mentioned in the Marie Claire article. (To make it easy, we’re just listing the cleansers, but you can look at the entire ingredient list at drugstore.com):
Aveda (Rosemary Mint shampoo)
Sodium Coco-Sulfate (as known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Laureth Sulfate); Lauramidopropyl Betaine (essentially same as cocamidopropyl betaine); Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
Phyto (Phytocitrus Shampoo)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate; Coco Betaine (same as cocamidopropyl betaine)
Ojon Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate (same base molecule as Sodium Laureth Sulfate); Cocamidopropyl Betaine; Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate; Lauryl Glucoside; Glyceryl Oleate
Now let’s look at a product with “non-natural” cleansers:
Pantene (Smooth and Sleek)
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate; Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate; Cocamide MEA
Yes, there are a lot of chemical names here, but you don’t have to be a scientist to recognize that all of these products have either “sulfate” type of cleansers , “betaine” type of cleansers, or some combination. These cleansers can be derived from coconut oil, so in that sense they are “natural” but as you can see, the very expensive “natural” products and the less expensive “regular” products basically use the same types of cleansers!
The Beauty Brains bottom line
We’re not saying there is NO difference between shampoo formulas. The amount of cleansers in the formula and the conditioning ingredients they are blended with can make a tremendous difference. So, we’re not saying any of these products are better or worse than any of the others. (Try them for yourself to find out!) But what we are saying is (and here’s the important part:) None of these products are more NATURAL than the others. That’s the true science! Buy what ever brand you like, but if you’re buying these brands because the company tells you that they are more natural, then you’re being mislead. We hope this helps!
What do YOU think? Have you used any “natural” shampoos that you really like? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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I like Terressentials Pure Earth Hair Wash! Certified organic ingredients and “natural” in the true sense of the word.
Jennifer
http://www.thesmartmama.com
I’ve been using a Trader Joe’s brand organic shampoo and conditioner – all natural, no sulfates except for some parabens (preservative). Its the most convenient, inexpensive ($4 for a large bottle) and natural stuff I’ve found yet. I have naturally curly hair, so I’m picky about that kind of stuff (I only shampoo about once a week or so – the conditioner is good and not too heavy).
I actually went through a natural product phase and searched and searched for “natural” shampoo and conditioner. Needless to say, I started using a brand called “Naked” from the UK. After using it, my head seemed very itchy and sensitive. I went back to my “synthetic” shampoo and conditioner and my scalp settled down and it was much better.
I’ve been on a budget, so instead of buying any salon brand shampoo and conditioner that the salon has on sale, I just buy whatever is on sale at the drugstore.
My hair has been exactly the same.
The only shampoo/conditioner I did regret buying was this “sulfate-free” one from Enjoy. Hooooo, bad bad bad! My normally easy to care hair turned dry and gross.
For summer (a very natural season indeed) I stick with a snake venom and poison ivy rinse. I let it dry in the sun.
::eyeroll::
People have very peculiar ideas on exactly what ‘natural’ is. Bottling any part of nature cuts the cord, so to speak. Are cooked carrots less natural than raw? A plucked grape, the further it gets from the vine, is less natural?
Natural things are really wonderful, but not stable nor reliable. You’d think people would appreciate that science (which is built on the observable world around us, ie, the natural world) can perfect and preserve nature to the extent that we can have mint shampoo or green apple conditioner. Rather, they expect to rub their heads with raw apples and get the same effect?
Just stay away from that dihydrogen monoxide. It’s a harmful chemical that can ruin your hair!
=)
I like Burt’s Bees Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo/Conditioner. They claim it’s 98.8% natural (from what I understand, you have to have something in it to make it lather, though not necessarily SLS). Works for me.
I haven’t tried any natural shampoos, however, I do use a color safe, sulfate free shampoo and conditioner, and that seems to be much better on my hair and easier on my color than shampoos that contain sulfate.
I am a long time user of Aveda. I’ve tried lots of other shampoo/conditioners and their product leaves my naturally curly/wavy hair in just the perfect state – not limp and not dry. I don’t know if it has anything to do with the “natural” part, but it does smell great
.
Aveda is more “natural” in image than in actual formula. Most of their shampoos use ammonium lauryl (or laureth) sulfate which is the same used by brands like Pantene or Suave.
I have horrible psoriasis that I’ve tried everything to rectify w/ little success until I moved to more “natural” additives. Tea tree oil shampoos, conditioners, and lotions really improved my skin and Aveda’s scalp line is incredible. I’ve tried other salylic acid products and they don’t help as much so its the natural additives that really make the products amazing.
I just started using EO Products organic shampoo. It is free of the sulfate cleansers. I have really fine hair that is prone to frizzies and this formulation is the best I have used. Seems to get hair clean, but not remove all oils completely.
I love Aveda’s Smooth Infusion line. The formulation just works well with my hair and doesn’t irritate my skin like lots of other shampoos I’ve tried. The only thing I hate is the price tag attached to it. It’s worth it for me, because it works so well. However, I’d love to find a cheaper alternative!
Does anybody else find the disconnect between the article and the comments entertaining?
Article:”Natural” is just marketing hype, there’s no reason to buy it over normal stuff.
Comments: My favorite all natural, chemical and preservative free shampoo is blah blah blah.
The only difference I’ve found between shampoos for me is that creamy formulas rinse out of my thick hair better than the clear formulas. I usually use Suave or something else cheap.
I tried Ken Paves sulfate-free stuff a while back, and it seemed to work OK, though it was really thick and difficult to distribute.
I’ve recently switched to VO5′s “moisture milk” series, which tauts the use of soy milk ingredients. It’s actually been a pleasant surprise to find that my hair is both softer and more manageable after the switch (before this trend I was a staunch supporter of Garnier Fructise, until it started making my hair limp, coarse, and slightly oily).
I have one small correction. Coco-Betaine is not the same as Cocamidopropyl Betaine although they are similar in function. They have different chemical structures.
Fuzz: Yep, you are correct. I was trying to simplify my answer for the general public. Thanks for the comment!
I agree there are not many differences between natural and regular products. for many people I don’t think it matters. However, I am definitely one of those people where it matters. For years I have been trying to figure out what was irritating my scalp causing me unbelievable dandruff and itchiness. I decided to try natural products because I was changning my lifestyle. Voila, the regular shampoos were drying the he** out of my scalp. I now use a natural shampoo bar and my scalp thanks me for it. I will never go back to regular shampoos again.
I have had every headresser for the past 6 years that Pantene is the worst product on the market
I used Aveda for years because it’s the only thing that didn’t dry out my color treated hair. Then my scalp begin to itch… no dandruff, just itchy annoying scalp. I saw an infomercial for Wen conditioning cleanser (not a shampoo at all – just conditioner) and I LOVE it. I’m sure it has a mix of “natural” and chemicals in it, but it works for me. I also tried More Burt’s Bees Moisture Raspberry & Brazil Nut Shampoo which I hated! It totally did the opposite and dried out my hair and it felt like hay! And it smells disgusting. I don’t know how it stays on the market! Does anyone like that shampoo?
To get back to the point, “natural” or “no-natural” it’s the end result that matters. Yes Pantene is one of THE worst shampoo’s out there, but I have had clients come in with equally coated whacked ph hair with the “organic” stuff. RULE OF THUMB: if it feels good on your skin and not filmy, it should do the same on your hair. some people need light conditioning, some people need something with more protein and moisture. There are a lot of shampoo’s, natural and non, that have ingredients that coat your hair or are the wrong PH…. thats why people say ask your stylist. Theres got to be something out there perfect for each person, and yes shampoo and conditioner is really important for a great end result
Does any know about Jason products? The one I use, says 84% Aloe Vera and no artificial ads like sls , parabens etc. is this really a dream or what?
Beside this, who from you could let me know how good and preservative free is Nivea ( Blue plastic round box)
For the all “natural ” I am a product junkie I have to find what works. If your har is really dry and flakey like my daughter I use a new product for Africas best kids organics with no petroleum or mineral oil they dont advertise it they advertise the one that grows your hair . This one is full of oils and oh my gosh I have been using this product for a month and nothing in life ever worked till now. It is simular to the olive oil creme but better. I also use Hair one this product suppose to be simular to Wen but for the price at 10.99 free of sulfate does’t lather works wonders.
Since I have been using Hair one I havent had a problem everything else makes my hair feels horrible. I have used everything including expensive products.
The product that am using now is rejuvenating Cherry Blossom ginseng shampoo, it says organic? it smells amazing 8D
I have started using ookoo by Dianne Caine. I love it!! All the ingredients are safe. I have used chemical free shampoos in the past only to go back to chemical formulated ones as they dried my hair. My hair is shiny and feels great, I much prefer to put this on my hair rather than some of the nasties they put in chemical shampoos.
Ingredients (as written on bottle). Love, purified water, plantapon,poly glucose,lamesoft(conditioning),pro vitamin B5, optiphen plus (preservative), guar (conditioning) bouquet of bramble berry parfum
I like “avalon organics lavender” shampoo. When I use it I can see and feel a dramatic difference in texture and smooth softness. I notice a dramatic healthy shine in hair. I have dry to combination hair. I don’t color my hair, all natural. I don’t not use hair appliances on occasion I do blow dry in the colder months, but Majority I air dry.
Thanks to Tan for the comments on OoKoo shampoo. I’m the formulator and creator of Dianne Caine Products. I have spent years formulating this range with safe ingredients. I dislike that word natural. There is no such thing as natural in a bottle. The main thing is how the plant based ingredients are broken down by the manufacturer wether it has been broken down with nasty toxic chemicals. I get shivers up my spine even with the word Organic on bottles. If the manufacturer of the products has not done the homework with the manufacturer breaking the plant based materials down, well who knows whats in that toxic bottle with Organic written on it. The retailers who have my products in there shops, the products have become their fastest selling skin and hair range. When I went looking for a range 10 years ago there was nothing of quality out there. So I decided to make my own, knowing what was put in it. I wanted to create a range that was like Clarins or Estee Lauder with quality and without the price tag. That is what I have done. Thanks Tan for using Ookoo Shampoo and conditioner.