Comments on: What’s The Great Shampoo Scandal? http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/04/20/whats-the-great-shampoo-scandal/ Cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions! We are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:38:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: thebeautybrains http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/04/20/whats-the-great-shampoo-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-40078 thebeautybrains Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:28:48 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/?p=5094#comment-40078 @Ari - While you are correct that SLS & SLES are relatively inexpensive and that bubbles do not equate to cleansing, you are mistaken to say that these surfactants do not clean. They do cleanse and cleanse better than almost any other surfactant available. That's why they are used so frequently in cleaning products. As far as your safety concerns, this myth has long been debunked and groups that base their decisions on scientific evidence do not see SLS, SLES, ALS, or ALES as problematic. People that base decisions on politics & fear might see it differently. But the question to you is what alternative would you suggest people use and what is your evidence that these things are "safer"? Many ingredients haven't been found to be problematic because no one has studied their effects. SLS has been thoroughly studied (more than most any other surfactant). The replacement surfactants could have lingering, unknown dangers. Why would you be willing to take that risk? @Ari – While you are correct that SLS & SLES are relatively inexpensive and that bubbles do not equate to cleansing, you are mistaken to say that these surfactants do not clean. They do cleanse and cleanse better than almost any other surfactant available. That’s why they are used so frequently in cleaning products.

As far as your safety concerns, this myth has long been debunked and groups that base their decisions on scientific evidence do not see SLS, SLES, ALS, or ALES as problematic. People that base decisions on politics & fear might see it differently.

But the question to you is what alternative would you suggest people use and what is your evidence that these things are “safer”? Many ingredients haven’t been found to be problematic because no one has studied their effects. SLS has been thoroughly studied (more than most any other surfactant). The replacement surfactants could have lingering, unknown dangers. Why would you be willing to take that risk?

]]> By: Ari http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/04/20/whats-the-great-shampoo-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-40077 Ari Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:13:51 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/?p=5094#comment-40077 Marcia is correct. SLS and SLES is a cheap detergent that produces foam/bubbles which we all equate with cleansing, though it does not clean anything. SLES is a milder version of SLS, and is commonly used in industrial engine degreasers, concrete cleaners etc.. While it's considered non-carcinogenic by OSHA, the NTP as well as the IARC feel there is unveiling evidence that SLS produces a potential carcinogenic effect in shampoo when it interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients to form nitrosamines ornitrates. This is a cause for concern, as SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the lungs, liver, and brain from skin contact. Conclusion: why even use a little bit of something that is questionable, especially when it actually doesn't really help clean your hair, and it's only purpose is to create foam to make one FEEL like it's cleaning? Fake foam. Marcia is correct. SLS and SLES is a cheap detergent that produces foam/bubbles which we all equate with cleansing, though it does not clean anything. SLES is a milder version of SLS, and is commonly used in industrial engine degreasers, concrete cleaners etc.. While it’s considered non-carcinogenic by OSHA, the NTP as well as the IARC feel there is unveiling evidence that SLS produces a potential carcinogenic effect in shampoo when it interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients to form nitrosamines ornitrates. This is a cause for concern, as SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the lungs, liver, and brain from skin contact. Conclusion: why even use a little bit of something that is questionable, especially when it actually doesn’t really help clean your hair, and it’s only purpose is to create foam to make one FEEL like it’s cleaning? Fake foam.

]]> By: thebeautybrains http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/04/20/whats-the-great-shampoo-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-37838 thebeautybrains Fri, 01 May 2009 15:27:57 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/?p=5094#comment-37838 @Marcia - Based on what evidence? @Marcia – Based on what evidence?

]]> By: Marcia http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/04/20/whats-the-great-shampoo-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-37837 Marcia Fri, 01 May 2009 15:15:44 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/?p=5094#comment-37837 What is bad for your hair is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Look for shampoo's with milder cleansers in them. Simple as that. What is bad for your hair is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Look for shampoo’s with milder cleansers in them. Simple as that.

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/04/20/whats-the-great-shampoo-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-37834 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Fri, 01 May 2009 12:57:11 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/?p=5094#comment-37834 But speaking of shampoos, I don't use it any longer and my hair still gets clean and looks better/shinier. *shrug* And to think, I did it for eco-friendly reasons and to remove those kinds of untested chemicals like parabens from my life. FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com But speaking of shampoos, I don’t use it any longer and my hair still gets clean and looks better/shinier.

*shrug*

And to think, I did it for eco-friendly reasons and to remove those kinds of untested chemicals like parabens from my life.

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com

]]>