Before beginning my essential oil journey, I never even thought about the ingredients that were in products like shampoo and conditioner. I assumed that if it was sold in the store, it was safe for our family. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Since learning how important it is to read labels, I’ve been shocked to see that even products that shout “clean” and “organic” on the front of their labels have ingredients listed on the back label that are anything but natural and safe. I’ve listed five ingredients to avoid (and why) in shampoo, conditioner, and other personal care products at the end of this post and encourage you to do your own research as well!
I’m grateful that Young Living makes personal care simple with products that are all-natural, plant-based, and safe for the whole family! In addition to 3 different shampoo and conditioner options that cover every hair type, there are also options specifically for babies (Seedlings Body Wash & Shampoo) and kids (KidScents Shampoo)!
I also love the Mirah Lustrous Hair Oil, which is a versatile multitasker that can be used as a styling aid or hair treatment. It helps with smoothing hair and taming flyaways and frizz!
As a Young Living Member, you can grab a bottle of shampoo or conditioner from $16.50 - $23.25. Not a Member yet? What are you waiting for? Click the button below to learn about the best way to get started with Young Living and add your favorite shampoo and/or conditioner into your cart along with your Premium Starter Kit!
YOUNG LIVING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER OPTIONS
Young Living products are very concentrated, so you may want to dilute your Young Living shampoo and conditioner. A little bit goes a very long way! You may also choose to dilute your shampoo and conditioner. Here is the recipe I follow for diluting the shampoo and conditioner options above. This will double your shampoo and conditioner.
Remove half the shampoo and store for later (a mason jar is great for this).
Add 1 tsp baking soda to shampoo only (optional; will add more bubbles/lather)
Add warm/hot water (whatever you have works; we have hard water, so I used bottled water)
Gently shake until all ingredients are fully mixed together.
MORE SHAMPOO AND HAIRCARE OPTIONS
My favorite shampoo to use myself is actually the KidScents shampoo! It works perfectly as is for my hair, so I don’t dilute it. If you’re wanting a calming scent for babies/kids, you will love the Seedlings Body Wash & Shampoo; the pump makes it super simple to use for bath time, and parents and babies/kids will love the tear-free formula!
FIVE INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
This is not an all-inclusive list of the ingredients you want to avoid in your personal care products, but rather a place to start!
1. Sulfates
You want to avoid sulfates because they may contain hormone-disrupting agents. The most common sulfate is SLS, which has been linked to organ toxicity, skin irritation and ecotoxicology (harm to the environment or a specific ecosystem). They are harsh on the hair and scalp, so they can strip away that natural moisture that keeps your hair shiny and soft.
2. Parabens
Parabens are xenoestrogens, which means that they have a similar composition to hormones found in the human body. Xenoestrogens may disrupt hormones and could even pose a cancer risk.
3. Fragrance
Fragrance can be tricky unless you know what to look for! The term “fragrance” allows manufacturers to opt out of including a list of the ingredients used to create that fragrance, as the term is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. So really, if “fragrance” is listed on an ingredient list, there’s no telling what’s in there. The term “fragrance” can include more than 3,000 harsh chemicals; I would much prefer to know exactly what is in the products I’m using.
4. Triclosan
Triclosan is often used as a preservative in personal care products; it is thought to be an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to immune system problems, weight loss, and uncontrolled cellular reproduction.
5. Polyethylene Glycol
Also known as PEG, polyethylene glycol may interfere with human development; it’s also known to be contaminated by cancer-causing dioxane.