What Are the Ingredients and Benefits of Shampoo and Conditioner?
Shampoo and conditioner are a regular part of almost everyone’s daily hair care routine. Many people have questions about the ingredients and benefits of these products.
Shampoos have detergent surfactants, which bind to oils and dirt on the scalp and hair strands and wash them away with water. The most common detergent surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate.
Cleanse
Shampoo and body wash are designed to clean the scalp and hair. They use synthetic detergents that remove sebum oil and environmental dirt from the hair and skin. They also remove sweat and styling product buildup. There are a variety of different shampoos for every hair condition, from dry to dandruff prone.
The primary detergents in shampoo are synthetic surfactants which are amphiphilic, meaning they have a lipophilic end which binds to oil and the hydrophilic end binds to water; allowing the oils and dirt to be washed away with soapy water. Sodium laureth sulfate is the most common shampoo surfactant. Other surfactants include anionics, cationics and amphoterics. There are also natural surfactants from plants like sarsaparilla, soap bark and ivy agave that have made a comeback in modern hair products.
In addition to the detergents, shampoos contain a variety of other ingredients shampoo and conditioner like viscosity improvers, dyes, perfumes and preservatives. Preservatives function to inhibit microbial growth and prevent decomposition of the product. Some of these preservatives, such as quaternium-15 and diazolidinyl urea release trace amounts of formaldehyde which is a known inhalation carcinogen.
Hydrate
Shampoos cleanse your scalp and hair to remove oil, product and dirt build-up. Typically liquid in nature, they vary in formulations catering to different hair types and concerns. Most contain surfactants to create lather and remove impurities. These ingredients can include sulfates, parabens and potentially toxic preservatives like DMDM hydantoin (which is known to trigger allergic reactions in many people).
Conditioners moisturize and nourish your strands. Most of them are enriched with oils to add moisture, but can also contain emollients to make your strands smooth and soft after washing. These ingredients include propylene glycol, sodium PCA and glycerin to name a few.
Unlike shampoo, conditioner is safe to use everyday since it won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. If your hair is severely dehydrated, however, we recommend skipping the shampoo and focusing solely on conditioning for best results. It is also important to always rinse your shampoo thoroughly and completely, and never leave a residue on your strands.
Moisturize
Adding conditioner to your hair wash routine will boost the results of your shampoo. This product can smooth frizz, detangle knots, improve elasticity of the hair strand and even help to promote healthy hair growth.
Shampoo is designed to cleanse away dirt, grime and product build up from your scalp and hair. It contains surfactants to create a lather that will encapsulate unwanted oil and clean the surface of your hair strands. Most shampoos will also contain ingredients to address specific issues like controlling dandruff and conditioning your scalp.
You should use shampoo as directed on the label, but try to avoid washing your hair every day. Over-washing can cause your scalp to produce more natural oils and dry out your strands. Instead, you should use a gentle shampoo that will keep your hair looking fresh and healthy. The same is true for your conditioner, a conditioner should be used on the mid-strands and ends of your hair and should be rinsed off after two to three minutes. Conditioners often have moisturizing ingredients including jojoba oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. They will also include emulsifiers such as siloxanes to combine oil and water so it will not wash away.
Detangle
Detangling your hair is a necessary step that helps you avoid unnecessary breakage of your delicate strands. This is especially true for those with textured or curly hair. However, the process is often a tedious one and can even cause damage if done improperly.
To keep your hair in the best shape possible, you need to detangle gently after each wash. To help reduce the amount of friction and strain, we recommend using a wide-tooth comb or brush to comb through your strands. Start from the ends & work your way up, loosening & separating them as you go.
Ingredients in this product include Helianthus annuus seed oil (sunflower oil) which is known for its antioxidant properties & moisturising benefits, Cocos nucifera oil (coconut oil) to nourish and protect, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, argan oil to promote healthy scalp & hair, Citric acid as a natural preservative and Xanthan gum to improve consistency & help make the formula feel thicker. This product also features a pH balancing blend. It leaves your hair with a beautiful shine and improved manageability.
Reduce Frizz
Frizz is a common concern for many women. It’s caused by heat, friction, and environmental factors, but also by your own habits like brushing or combing wet hair, over-washing, and tossing and turning while you sleep. You can help reduce frizz with healthy lifestyle choices and a good shampoo and conditioner.
A sulfate-free shampoo is key, as the harsh detergents can strip your hair of its natural oils and make it more prone to frizz. You should also look for a moisturizing conditioner that’s rich in nourishing oils and hydrating ingredients. One of our favourites is Money Mist, a leave-in conditioner that helps lock in moisture and prevent frizz by penetrating the hair shaft and nourishing it from within.
To further lower your frizz risk, try reducing the heat and friction you expose your hair to by air-drying or using a blow dryer with an ionic function. You can also use a smoothing serum to help realign your hair fibers and give it a more polished look. Finally, don’t touch or twirl your hair while it’s wet. This can lift the cuticle and cause frizz.