When it comes to shopping for shampoo, there are dozens of options available. Some formulas promise to add volume, some offer colour protection and some are specially designed with keratin proteins in mind. But have you ever thought about what kind of shampoo is good for the environment? In this article, we’ll explore five tips for choosing eco-friendly shampoos that will leave your hair looking as healthy as ever.
5 Tips To Shop For Eco-Friendly Shampoos
Consider what ingredients you want to avoid
Before you shop for shampoo, take a look at this list of ingredients to avoid.
- Detergents: Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are common detergents present in shampoos that can irritate your skin and scalp by stripping away natural oils. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to them as well.
- Parabens: A preservative present in shampoos to prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products. Parabens have a linkage with hormone disruption and cancer risk when absorbed through the skin or ingested orally over time. However, there’s no evidence yet that they cause harm.
- Fragrance: Fragrances are present in shampoos and other personal care products to mask or conceal the smell of ingredients, which can be unpleasant. The FDA does not regulate fragrances at all, and there can be up to 50 in a single product. While some fragrance chemicals are safe for use on the skin, others have a connection with allergies, hormone disruption and cancer risk.
Go with a solid shampoo bar
Shampoo bars are a great option for the eco-conscious. They’re more eco-friendly than liquid shampoos since they don’t use plastic bottles or packaging. Also, they’re more portable and convenient to travel with than traditional liquid shampoos. Plus, they last much longer than regular shampoo bottles do–so you’ll spend less money on them in the long run!
Read the ingredients label
Shampoos are a great place to start when looking for eco-friendly products. They’re often one of the most used personal care items, and they can be an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Shampoo ingredients are listed by weight, not volume. So even though it might say “water” first on the list (which is true), you want to look at how much actual water there is versus other ingredients like silicones or preservatives that may be present in higher quantities than water but weigh less per ounce than pure H2O does!
Also note: if something doesn’t have an ingredient list on its label, that means it’s a cosmetic rather than a personal care product. Thus falls under different regulations regarding what information companies must disclose about its contents (or lack thereof).
Choose a biodegradable formula
Biodegradable means that a product will break down into harmless components. This is different from biocompatible, which means that it doesn’t hurt the environment or other organisms in any way.
Why is this important? Because you want to make sure that your shampoo doesn’t harm the environment! If it does, then it won’t be eco-friendly at all! You should also look for shampoos with natural ingredients like tea tree oil and aloe vera juice. These are good for your hair because they have antioxidants (which protect cells against damage), moisturizers (to keep strands soft), anti-inflammatories (to reduce swelling), and antifungals (to kill off fungus).
Find a shampoo that uses recycled materials
If you’re looking for a shampoo that’s good for the environment, look for one with recycled materials. Recyclable materials are better for the environment because they don’t require any new resources and are usable in any conditioner or shampoo. They are also biodegradable and won’t harm our planet in any way, unlike some other products out there!
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Shampoos
Environmental Preservation
The most obvious benefit of eco-friendly shampoos is the fact that they are better for the environment. This isn’t just because they’re using natural ingredients, but also because many of them don’t contain plastic. Plastic is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to waste pollution since it breaks down incredibly slowly and often ends up in landfills instead of being recycled.
Waste Reduction
Shampoos are a major source of waste. The average person uses 5-10 bottles of shampoo per year, 2-3 bottles of conditioner and 1-2 bottles of hair spray. By switching from regular to eco-friendly shampoos you can reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans.
By switching to eco-friendly shampoos, you can reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfills and oceans. This is important not just because it’s bad for the environment, but also because many of these bottles come from plastic that doesn’t biodegrade easily.
Healthier Ingredients
Eco-friendly shampoos are also better for your hair. They don’t contain harsh chemicals that can strip your hair of its natural oils or dry it out and leave you with hair that feels brittle and damaged. Instead, they consist of natural ingredients like essential oils, herbs, vitamins and minerals to promote healthy hair growth.
The main difference between regular and eco-friendly shampoos is that they use different ingredients. Regular shampoos contain sulfates which can be harmful to your hair and skin, whereas eco-friendly ones don’t contain any chemicals and are using natural ingredients like coconut oil or tea tree oil instead.
Clear conscience
The best part about using eco-friendly shampoos is that you can feel good about what you’re using on your hair. Not only are they better for the environment, but they also don’t contain harmful chemicals and other additives that typically cause hair damage.
Freshness without the fuss
Shampoo is a daily necessity, so why not make it eco-friendly? Shampoos with harmful chemicals can have a replacement with safer alternatives. Natural shampoos are more effective at cleaning hair and are better for the environment. A healthy scalp means healthy hair and natural shampoos are more effective at cleaning hair than regular shampoo.
8 Eco-Friendly Shampoos That Will Save Your Hair And The Planet
ANIHANA
AniHana Shampoo Bar is a sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo that is versatile for all hair types. It comes with organic coconut oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil to moisturize hair while cleansing it. This shampoo bar is also cruelty-free. No animals were harmed in the making of this product!
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional shampoos but don’t want something too heavy or greasy feeling on your head after you wash it out (like many natural products tend to be), then AniHana might be right up your alley.
B.O.B Bars Over Bottles
B.O.B Bars Over Bottles Moisturizing Shampoo Bar is a shampoo bar that contains no sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. It’s also free of GMOs and synthetic fragrances! This all-natural product uses ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and sweet almond oil to give your hair shiny volume without weighing it down. This product is 100% vegan with no animal testing or animal products used in its creation process or packaging.
Ethique
Ethique Solid Shampoo Bar is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and palm oil-free. It originates in the USA with organic ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter. The bar itself is also biodegradable! This shampoo contains no harsh chemicals or microbeads that could harm our oceans or wildlife. There are no sulfates either. It’s just plant-based surfactants that clean your hair gently without stripping it of its natural oils.
You can even use this baby on your face if you want. Although we don’t recommend doing so daily. Ethique’s Solid Shampoo Bar comes in three different scents: Lavender & Sage for normal hair; Rosemary & Peppermint for oily roots; Tea Tree & Lemongrass for dandruff control but all three smell amazing!
Garnier
This shampoo bar comes with natural and organic ingredients, and it’s good for all hair types. It contains no sulfates, parabens or phthalates–and it’s animal-friendly too. The Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar comes from the U.S., which means you can rest assured that your purchase supports American jobs!
The Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar includes shea butter, aloe vera and essential oils to moisturize your hair. It also has a light scent that smells like a tropical island paradise. This shampoo bar will leave your hair feeling smooth and soft after every use!
Naples Soap
Naples Soap Company Solid Shampoo Bar comes with organic ingredients and has no sulfates or parabens. It also doesn’t contain any animal testing, synthetic fragrances, phthalates or propylene glycol–all of which are common ingredients in many shampoos that can be harmful to your hair and the environment. This bar will last up to six months (or longer if you have shorter hair). You can use it as a body wash as well!
Peach not Plastic
The Peach not Plastic Shampoo Bar is a 100% organic, sulfate-free shampoo that originates in Canada. It contains no parabens or phthalates, and it’s certified cruelty-free by PETA (so you can feel good using it). The bar comes in recyclable packaging. This is great for the environment and it even has its handle so you don’t have to worry about dropping it while washing your hair.
Soapbox
Soapbox Argan Oil Shampoo Bar is a solid shampoo bar that comes with argan oil, rosemary and lavender. It’s a bit of an investment at $28 for the full-size bar, but it will last you for months if not years because you only need to use a tiny amount each time. The aromatherapy benefits are also worth noting: not only does this product smell amazing. It’s like walking through a herb garden every time you use it–but those scents can help calm your nerves and promote relaxation during stressful times like when you’re trying to get ready on time.
Zero Waste MVMT
The Zero Waste MVMT Shampoo Bar uses organic ingredients and is free of plastic packaging, microbeads and parabens. It’s also sulfate-free and artificial colours are not present in its production. The shampoo bar itself comes in a small box that is reusable as packaging for your next purchase (or whatever else you’d like to use it for). If you’re looking for an earth-friendly way to cleanse your locks without compromising quality or performance, then this is an excellent choice!
Conclusion
With so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. But by keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to find a product that works well for your hair type and lifestyle without sacrificing anything important like environmental friendliness or healthiness!
If you’re going to buy shampoo, you might as well get one that’s good for the planet. These tips will help you find eco-friendly shampoos and make sure it does what it promises. Check out these sustainable shampoos for your next purchase.