Natural shampoo: 3 steps to choosing the right one!

After months of hesitation, you’re finally ready to take the leap. No more conventional shampoos filled with harmful ingredients, you’re going to switch to a natural shampoo!

The intention and motivation are there, but when it’s time to choose… you freeze. Faced with the overwhelming number of so-called natural products, you don’t know which one to trust. The one that claims to be 100% natural? The one with the little green leaf on the label? The one that’s natural and organic? Don’t panic, at Hairborist, we know how complicated it can be to find the best hair care, so we’re here to help. Here are our 3 essential steps to choosing the best natural shampoo.

Step 1: analyze the label of your natural shampoo

“Natural” products are a major trend that’s here to stay. That’s why some brands play with the term “natural” to market products that aren’t always healthy. You’ve probably noticed plenty of shampoos labeled as “natural” on green bottles decorated with little leaves or flowers, designed to catch your eye. Be careful, this could just be greenwashing, an eco-friendly façade to sell a product that isn’t natural at all.

The smartest way to pick a real natural shampoo is to carefully read the label. This allows you to quickly spot which ingredients are safe and which ones aren’t. But what should you absolutely avoid in a natural moisturizing shampoo?

• Sulfates. Not all sulfates are bad, which is why it’s important to know the difference. But first, what are sulfates? They’re surfactants that remove impurities and create the foam in your shampoo. The problem is that many sulfates, like Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, are very harsh on hair. Others, however, are derived from natural agents (like cocoglucoside) and are safe to use.

• Silicones. At first glance, silicones make hair look smooth, shiny, and soft, but in reality, they’re just a quick fix. They suffocate the hair, weigh it down, and are difficult to wash out. Worse, they pollute oceans. Definitely not eco-friendly! On your shampoo label, they usually end in -icone, -iconol, or -siloxane.

• Parabens. These preservatives are highly controversial because they can disrupt your hormonal system and trigger allergies. Fortunately, they’re used less and less these days. On your shampoo label, you’ll find them under terms starting with butyl, phenyl, or propyl.

Decoding labels might not sound like the most exciting part of your shopping trip, but luckily there’s a shortcut: enter the ingredient names into the INCI search tool on the website The Truth About Cosmetics. In just a few seconds, you’ll know if your natural shampoo is truly safe, or not!