Most people don’t think about their shampoo or other personal care products. But, it’s essential to be aware of the harmful ingredients that can be found in these products.

For example, many shampoos contain harsh chemicals that can damage your hair and scalp.

We often think of it as just soap for our hair when it comes to shampoo. We lather it in, rinse it out, and move on with our day. However, shampoos can be pretty harmful, especially if they contain certain ingredients.

When it comes to shampoo, it’s essential to be aware of the ingredients included in the product. In addition, you should watch for harmful ingredients such as salt, polyethylene glycols (PEGs), formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances, triclosan, synthetic colors, and retinyl palmitate.

Salt is a common ingredient in shampoos. It’s used to give the shampoo a salty taste and help remove oils from the hair. Unfortunately, PEGs can be contaminated with byproducts like ethylene oxide, toxic to humans.

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and has been proven to be absorbed through the skin during testing on animals.

Synthetic colors are a type of colorant that is often used in shampoos and other cosmetic products. Unfortunately, synthetic fragrances can cause cancer and asthma. Triclosan is a chemical antibacterial agent that has been shown to cause hormone disruptions.

They’re used to give products the desired color. However, synthetic colors can be quite harmful.

On the other hand, Retinol is a vitamin-A-based compound found in many different foods and supplements.

However, when it comes into contact with skin cells, it will convert into Retinoic Acid/Retinite, which has been linked as an irritant causing dryness, scaling, redness, itching discomfort, etc.

When choosing a shampoo, make sure to read the ingredient label carefully. Avoid products that contain any of the harmful ingredients mentioned above. Instead, choose a shampoo made with natural ingredients free of harmful chemicals.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common harmful ingredients found in shampoos to make an informed decision about what products to use on your hair.

Parabens

Parabens are a type of Preservative used in cosmetics and hair care products to prevent the growth of bacteria.

They’re also commonly found when storing processed or canned food. In addition, you might absorb them through your skin during topical use if they were applied near any cuts on exposed areas like mouth corners where toothbrushes can irritate excess pressure.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Some shampoos claim to be 100% pure but contain Cocamidopropyl betaine, a dangerous compound.

Cocamidopropyl betaine is an amphoteric surfactant often used in shampoos and other cleansing products.

It’s used to produce lather and help remove dirt and oils from the hair. This chemical is derived from coconut oil – don’t let its origins fool you; this substance has been linked with skin irritation in some cases and can also cause allergy symptoms like eczema, rosacea, etc…

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) and sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES) are two of the most common surfactants in shampoos.

They’re used to produce lather and help remove dirt and oils from the hair. However, they can also be quite harmful. SLES is a known carcinogen, and both ingredients can cause skin irritation and hair loss.

Dimethicone

Dimethicone is a silicone that can accumulate on your hair, making it feel greasy and giving you the false illusion that they’re shiny.

In reality, this fake-looking material weighs down our natural oils which stops moisture from coming into contact with the scalp causing skin irritation or, even worse -hair loss!

Check out our picks for the Best Silicone-Free Shampoos

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)

Methylchloroisothiazolinone is a preservative often used in shampoos and other cosmetic products. It’s used to prevent bacteria growth and extend the shelf life of products.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is another common surfactant found in shampoo.

Like ALS and SLES, it’s used to produce lather and remove dirt and oils from the hair. However, SLS is even more harmful than ALS and SLES.

Alcohol

The drying effect of alcohol is something that many people worry about when it comes to their hair.

Alcohol can sometimes strip away oils and moisture from our scalps, but some brands have better properties for dry locks than others!

Cetearyl Alcohol (a “c”) helps keep the natural luster strong while also helping retain all types of styles stay salon-perfect throughout days; Stearyl Octanoate does just what its name suggests – gives strands an actual appearance by adding extra shine without feeling oily or weighed down at all.

Triethanolamine (TEA) & Diethanolamine (DEA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found no proof that DEA, an ingredient used to make cosmetics foam up more effectively, causes cancer in humans.

The Cosmetic Crime Report Network reports topically applying this chemical can be dangerous for those with allergies or sensitive skin because it’s not always listed on labels; however, there are many organic substitutes available such as pentylene glycol, which does not interact negatively when combined.

BHT

BHT is an antioxidant often used in shampoos and other cosmetic products. It’s used to prevent bacteria growth and extend the shelf life of products.

Sodium Chloride

Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is a common ingredient in shampoos. It’s used to give the shampoo a salty taste and help remove oils from the hair.

Polyethylene Glycols (PEG)

The dangers of PEGs are not fully understood, but it’s known that they can be contaminated with byproducts like ethylene oxide, which is toxic to humans.

It has also been shown in research studies conducted on animals who had consumed food containing these materials–the National Academy Dictionary defines “peg” as follows: “a physiologically active compound derived from petroleum.”

Formaldehyde

The most concerning harmful ingredient in shampoo is formaldehyde. It’s a known human carcinogen and has been proven to be absorbed through the skin during animal testing.

Manufacturers often add it as a preservative or release its presence over time through other preservatives like chemicals from quaternion-15 (a common Shampoo compound).

Synthetic Fragrances

The chemicals in fragrances are not just an irritation to your skin; they can also cause cancer and asthma.

In addition, these ingredients have been found throughout the human body- from our organs to breast milk and can even be found in the bloodstream!

One study even linked certain types of fragrance usage with infertility problems too. So next time you’re choosing what scent will make its way onto yourself, consider this information before purchasing anything strange.

Check out the Best Fragrance-Free Shampoos!

Triclosan

Triclosan is a chemical antibacterial agent that has been shown to cause hormone disruptions, leading down a path toward cancer and neurodevelopmental problems. In pregnant women, it can affect fetal development too!

So why does this ingredient still find its way into other household staples like toothpaste or shampoos?

In 2016 Triclocarban – one of many names for the commonly employed synthetic compound- was banned by the FDA from use in soap because studies have linked exposure with health issues such as breast cancer development.

Synthetic Colors

Synthetic colors are a type of colorant that is often used in shampoos and other cosmetic products.

They’re used to give products the desired color. However, synthetic colors can be quite harmful. They’re skin irritants and can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinol is a vitamin-A-based compound found in many different foods and supplements.

However, when it comes into contact with skin cells – especially around the eyes area due to its passage through human sweat glands–retinyl Palmitate (R brut) will convert into Retinoic Acid/Retinite, which has been linked as an irritant causing dryness scaling redness itching discomfort, etc.

In addition, there are warnings about side effects, including cancer, reproductive problems, and organ toxicity, among others, so make sure you know what kind of shampoo contains these chemicals before using them!

Conclusion on Common Harmful Ingredients in Shampoos

The chemicals mentioned above, such as those found in shampoos and most commercially-available hair care products, are not good for your health.

If you’re experiencing any form of unhealthy or thinning locks, then it’s time to switch!

You can also try taking natural supplements like plant-derived ingredients, which work together with what nature already provides us, so we don’t have to do anything else but take advantage of them.

At the same time, our genes stay loyal by providing extra growth potentials all day long without harm done against scalp integrity because no one has ever reported an issue after using these types of products consistently over prolonged periods.

Several harmful ingredients are often found in shampoos. These ingredients include parabens, sodium chloride, PEGs, DEA, TEA, formaldehyde, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, dimethicone, and Cocamidopropyl betaine.

These ingredients can be harmful to the skin and hair and cause various health concerns. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of these ingredients and avoid them.