All you need to know about Eco-Friendly, Biodegradable Shampoo Bars
Six reasons to use natural, biodegradable shampoos:
1. Perfect for all hair types (especially ideal options for dyed/permed hair)
2. Biodegradable shampoos are non-allergenic
3. Natural shampoos should ensure a PH-balanced formula base (balanced shampoo should be neither too alkaline nor too acidic)
4. Natural shampoos help to provide vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts to the hair follicles
5. Natural shampoos are enriched with moisturising ingredients (aloe vera & cocoa)
6. Shampoo bars are package free, helping to reduce your carbon footprint
Five interesting facts about eco friendly, biodegradable shampoo bars:
1. Biodegradable shampoo bars should be free of sulfates, silicones, and chemicals found in standard shampoo types
2. Natural ingredients used in eco friendly shampoos replace the harsh synthetic chemicals used in standard shampoos
3. Around 400 million bottles (mostly plastic) of shampoo are produced every year, by converting to biodegradable shampoos, you are helping to save the planet
4. Natural shampoos are perfect for people with excess dandruff and scalp dryness
5. Shampoo bars are more concentrated than conventional shampoos, helping them to last longer
Things you should bear in mind when it comes to natural shampoo bars
– Soap and shampoo bars may be produced similarly (a process known as saponification), but the similarities end here
– Shampoo bars are made with hair follicle needs in mind and therefore contain more oil and alcohols
– Be prepared for a different shower experience when using a natural shampoo bar. A more gentle touch and feel offer a different kind of comfort
– Most standard shampoos contain detergents such as Sodium lauryl sulphate, which may damage hair and natural oils
The following ingredients are known to dry, irritate or even damage scalps:
Sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, derivatives of lauryl alcohol, myreth sulfate, propylene glycol, olefin sulfonate
Are eco friendly shampoo bars also sulphate free?
Shampoo bars are generally made without sulfates and other harsh detergents/chemicals.
First of all, what does sulphate do?
– Sulphates (or sulfates) have the ability to attract water and oil, helping to extract dirt from the hair and body
– Sulphate is also responsible for the foamy texture that forms when shampoo and water mix together
Why sulphate free?
– Sulphates may also wash away important, natural particles that the scalp needs to function normally. Too much sulphate may lead to a loss of scalp moisture
– If you have damaged hair follicles or a sensitive scalp, sulphate free shampoo will help to maintain the moisture you have left
What are the best chemical free shampoo types?
Take a look at our eco friendly shampoo picks further down!
Try to avoid chemicals such as:
– Parabens:
Parabens prevent bacteria from growing as well as other microbes. Research has found traces of parabens in malignant tumors
– Sodium laureth sulfate & Sodium lauryl sulfate:
SLES and SLS are agents that allow foam to arise. Research has linked SLES with organ, lung and skin irritation
– Phthalates:
Phthalates are used to help maintain scent and fragrance longevity. Research has linked phthalates to multiple health issues such as cancer, endocrine and birth defects
– Methylisothiazolinone:
MIT is a preservative used in many shampoos. Research has linked MIT to various skin related issues
Are bar soaps and shampoos more environemntally friendly?
With no plastic involved and often minimal to no recyclable packaging, simply not having to dispose of a plastic shampoo container helps to lower plastic waste pollution.
Needles to say that plastic is categorised together with many other waste-types as as a material that takes a very long time to decompose.
Many plastic items are made from a chemical composition called polyethylene terephthalate, which when heated, releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
Animals in the deep-sea see come into contact with tiny plastic particles as a result of this pollution, resulting in many creatures ingesting particles along with their food, unaware of the toxic side-affects.
The whole food chain is affected a result of this, including humans.
What are the worst shampoos for the environment?
One environmentally damaging chemical commonly found in conventional shampoo is triclosan.
Triclosan is also commonly used in washing-up liquids, kitchen detergents, toothpaste and deodorants (acting as an antibacterial agent).
Some research suggests that triclosan may build up in the environment, poisoning sea creatures and their surrounding eco systems.
Phthalates, discussed above, are also commonly used in standard shampoos. Many scientists are concerned that phthalates lead to reproductive problems in both human and animal life.
Does shampoo pollute water?
– Standard shampoos contain harsh synthetic chemicals which pollute sewer systems and rivers
– Research has also revealed that standard shampoo chemicals can poison sea life species and micro-organisms, damaging the ecosystem as a result
– Many standard shampoos contain phthalates that have an affect on the hormones in the body. Research in Oregon based on 48 domestic water sources found a long list of contaminants including hormones and herbicides
– Reducing products made from synthetic ingredients helps to decrease groundwater contamination
– Plastic pollution as a result of plastic shampoo containers is another clear environmental cause for concern, with plastic often ending up in landfills and oceans