Is Your Shampoo Damaging Your Hair?

When it comes to hair care between conditioners, hair treatments and shampoo, 34% of the global population see shampoo as the primary method for healthy hair (according to a study done by Mintel). As the most important way to clean our hair, we use it all the time. Of course we definitely want it to go a long way in ensuring that it protects our hair as well.

With more of us being conscientious consumers, we want the best for our hair - the last thing we want to see is dry, brittle strands or itchy scalp and clumps of hair falling off!

So you look to the ingredients list, start researching about the company’s formulas and reading reviews. Yet after every wash your hair is still lacklustre. The problem? Companies got smarter at marketing their shampoos! Emphasising their campaigns on their new formulas or the addition of argan oil (we have to admit, we’re in love with the effects of this miracle oil on our tresses), they neglect to highlight the key ingredients which are the main culprits for damaged hair.

We’re not here to tell you which brands to avoid. We’re here to set this right: here is what’s in your shampoo that is stripping your hair of its nutrients. This quick flip card can help to set the record straight.

Highlighted above, are the main ingredients we need to pay more attention: fragrance, sodium laureth sulphate, polyethylene glycol, potassium sorbate and dimethicone.

Fragrance is a common component in all shampoos. Take note if there is a parenthesis that explains what this ‘fragrance’ is made out of. If they use essential oils, this would be stated clearly on the package. Sulphates are best known as cleaning agents. But sodium laureth sulphate is too strong a chemical and removes the natural hair oils. Leaving it to be dry and brittle over time.

Not all silicones are bad, but dimethicone results in dry and itchy scalp over time. Thus leading to hair loss. While it is good to go silicone-free, a start is to keep your eyes peeled for this bad silicon.

A lot more research is still being carried out on potassium sorbate and polyethylene glycol for its association with cancer. At the moment some states in the US and Canada have banned it. So limit your usage of shampoos with these ingredients.

If you’re on the lookout for shampoos without these harmful chemicals, Essentiq’s Shampoo for normal hair is a good option. Using rosemary oil, witch hazel and aloe vera leaf extract, it leaves your hair smooth and clean! As a conscientious company, Essentiq ensures that 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin about 10% of it comes from organic farming. So you know the formula isn’t contaminated. Best part of it is that it is free from formaldehydes, paraffins, propylene glycol, silicon or chlorine derivates, parabens, PEG, synthetic colouring agents, GMOs.

Of course, not all hair types are identical! Essentiq caters to people with greasy hair and provides a solution for those experiencing dandruff. Ingredients were selected in the shampoo formula to ensure that it reduces the problem from the roots without any long term side effects!

Being in sunny Singapore also means a lot of us face greasy hair from time to time thanks to the humidity. Essentiq’s shampoo for greasy hair is formulated with nettle lemon essential oils to reduce the production of sebum in the scalp.

Zinc salt in the anti-dandruff shampoo cleans the scalp due to its antibacterial effect. While most of these shampoos tend to clean the scalp too thoroughly, leaving it dry, Essentiq’s formula is rich with bio-glycerine, peppermint and lavender oil. These key ingredients work together to leave your scalp fresh, restoring the moisture while reducing the itch.

Essentiq does not contain parabens, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, sulfates, gluten and more! The formula in all of their shampoos and products carry the Natural Organic certification. Which means if you're using Essentiq, you are using a products where 99% of the ingredients are natural origin and 5% of the ingredients a sourced from organic agricultural methods. Safe for your family and the environment.

Have you used organic and natural shampoos? Share with us the effects!