Alice Asks…I notice that one of the ingredients in my Tigi Bed Head shampoo is coumarin. As far as I’m aware, this is an anti-coagulant drug derived from fermented sweet clover, and it’s a major ingredient in warfarin, and a basis for some rat poisons. What the hell is it doing in my shampoo? I mean, it’s fourth to last on the ingredients list, so I don’t think it’s going to make my scalp hemorrhage, but why is it THERE?
The Left Brain Answers:
You are correct, Alice, coumarin does have some very nasty properties. In fact, one of our favorite websites (Molecule of the Day) describes it as a “vanilla-flavored liver damaging fabric brightener.” But there is a reason it’s in your shampoo, although it’s not a very GOOD reason. Let me explain:
One of the properties of coumarin is its ability to absorb light of one color and release it as light of another color. That property makes it useful as an optical brightener – a class of chemicals typically used on fabrics to make whites look whiter. Some companies use chemicals like this in hair care products, especially products for blonde or silver hair, to reduce brassy off-tones. But the reality is that in rinse-off hair care products it really doesn’t do much. So even though technically there’s a reason for it to be in Bed Head shampoo, you won’t be able to tell much difference.
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… So is it bad for your liver?
No, it isn’t bad for your liver. It’s not used in the product at a high enough level to be a problem.
Got it. Thanks Brains
Coumarin is also found in cigarettes. Yet it’s also an anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, and has many medicinal benefits (if used properly). I suppose it’s there’s a time & a place for everything. Many more interesting facts @ coumarin, but not enough space. I think I may be sensitive to it in my hair, though. Anyone else? I’m protein intolerant (any little bit is too much), and have also found Vive Pro Hydra Gloss ‘poo&cond to have a protein like effect on my hair (they contain coumarin). I just purchased Loreal Ever Pure leave-in, and the last ingredient is coumarin. I bought it because it’s a protein free leave-in (hard to find), but I’m afraid to try it again because it made my hair feel crispy. I think coumarin may have a protein like effect on my hair, which might be explained because it gives plants their cell wall structure.
Oops. Yes, it IS bad for your liver, if you ingest enough of it. Don’t drink your bedhead
So, in the hair wax I use the last ingredient is coumarin, so no risks problems with my hair, yes ?