Chemicals in Commerical Shampoo
Thank you also to Earth Clinic for creating a new thread for Natural Shampoo Recipes. I think it may prove invaluable for people wishing to turn to alternate solutions.
We all know that many of the common commercial personal care products in the U.S.A. contain synthetic chemicals but I was just not aware of how BAD the situation really might be. Some of our every day use products contain one chemical after the other that may be less than safe.
You can check the Material Safety Data Sheets on the ingredients in your shampoos and other personal care products. The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required by the manufacturers. Here is a site where you can enter the chemical and see if it is their database. It is Vermont Safety Information Resources, Inc. I am not affiliated with them, nor do I know anything about them other than that they are cited on the Libraries at the University of California, Santa Barbara website and a link is provided there.
For example, a search for Sodium Laureth Sulfate, also known as SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, a chemical in many shampoos reveals that it CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN OR RESPIRATORY REACTION.
Or that the EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE (Repeated or prolonged contact) with skin may cause dermatitis.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE is in many products. I am not a chemist so I will leave you to do your own research on why this is used.
I was hoping that the more so-called organic or natural product lines would be better, but sadly, I have found they use harsh or synthetic chemicals, too. I just purchased a so called organic skin facial cleanser only to get it home and read that it, too contained SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE; something for your face - that is linked to skin problems!
MORE seriously, some of the chemicals being used in our cosmetics and personal products may have had one or more studies done that suggest that the chemicals may be linked to cancer or immune system issues.
It is far too vast for me to try to relay here. (I will also leave you to figure out for yourself why this use of these known hazards is permitted in the U.S.A.)
Since many of the people posting here are experiencing serious health problems, I wanted to add this to your arsenal of natural health remedies: Check up on what you are using on your body.
I wish I could say that I have found a reliable internet source with integrity that can offer guidance in this matter, but I have not. They seem to either offer incomplete information or are connected to commercial or other pursuits. The information they are presenting can%uFFFDt be trusted because they either are selling something outright, or they have links to where you can buy the products. (The way the internet is nowadays, if you have a link to a product you are probably getting a kickback.) In that case, you have to question their motivation and question the information; it may be biased. It is also possible that it may be distorted or just plain inaccurate. Also, some of them are accused of using scare tactics. But of course, that doesn%uFFFDt mean that we aren%uFFFDt facing a very real threat from too many toxic chemicals. Yes, a tricky spot to be in.
If you do your own research, I strongly encourage you to look at who it is that is providing the information. See if they are selling products, if not, what is their mission? Go to their "About us" page if they have one and form an educated judgment based on how they present themselves. Run separate searches to see how they are referred to elsewhere on the web. Most importantly, do they provide substantiation for their claims? You can't just take the statements on face value. If you can't see the source listed you have to ask them what their source is. If they can't give you a source, then you must question their real motives for publishing the information.
Your local university or public libraries might be able to provide information on the studies done on the chemicals as reported in scientific journals. It is up to the consumer to look at who conducted the study, to interpret the findings, and decide whether a product is right for themselves. But it is still tricky for the lay person to know how to interpret these studies. I know there is at least one book for the layperson out there on safety in cosmetics. You could probably find it easily by googling key search words. I don't know anything about whether it is well regarded, but I'm going to see if my library can obtain for me it through the interlibrary loan system.
Maybe if we all put our heads together we can figure this out. In the meanwhile, I for one am only using natural products on my body right now.
I wish everyone light and peace on their health journeys!
(Warwick, Ri, U.s.a)
12/16/2011
I could not agree more! I began searching for eco-friendly, organic, raw products to use on my skin and hair and I did find a reliable source. They are informative and real. Their products are everything they claim and they really seem different!
I did some extensive research on the ingredients and then I tried them and now I love them.
Comfrey
★★★★★
You catch your urine and if you desire you can use your shampoo and then rinse and then pour urine on your head and wait as long as you can and then rinse out. It leaves a lovely oil and thickens the strands and hair drop stops, except the normal amount. Urine also has hormones in it and hair and hormones are a happy team. Urine is sterile and very healing of bacteria and fungus on the skin. Most animals pee on their feet.
I have a lot of comfrey and use it daily as a foot soak. I fill a stockpot ( gallon?) with water and wait an hour while chlorine dissipates then I heat it with 7 big leaves 10-12 inches long, and a sprig of mint and then pour it in a foot soak pan with Tablespoon apple cider vinegar. I dump this out on the drip line of trees in my yard, we have over 200 of those.
I decided to try the mint and comfrey mixture when it got a nice dark color on my hair, a cup of it. I used no shampoo and put it on my hair when it is wet and let it sit and then rinse. My hair usually tangles but not now. It is full and combs easy and feels like it has oil in it as cream rinse would leave.
I drink comfrey and mint tea and eat the leaves. 5 small leaves 6" long and a sprig of mint. I make tea out of it until the water doesn't turn dark anymore, then I eat the remains.
I also add the flowers to my tea drinks
Comfrey has been known to heal bone problems 20 yrs old and heal skin wounds so quickly you have to be careful the infection is healed before using it. In history people ate comfrey salads in season like lettuce.
Egg Yolk
★★★★☆
I tried the egg yolk to wash my hair. It worked very well, but I smelled like egg all day. Even rinsing with lemon juice did not eliminate the smell. Tisk!
Egg Yolk and Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Sydney, Qld, Australia)
01/25/2009
★★★★★
Hi Alice and thanks for that info about the egg white but I'll take it a step further. Mix some finely chopped oats with the egg whites and viola! we have a wonderful face mask. leaving the sensitive area beneath the eyes untouched, smooth on the mixture and leave till dry. Try not to talk or move any part of the face. caking it too thickly should be avoided as it will take too long to dry. Have fun!
I would also like to mention "The Atlas". Most of us are born with the head sitting tilted in the top vertabrae called The Atlas. I have nothing to gain by passing on the info I am just so ecstatic after a lifetime (I'm 69) of pain and agony to be over migraine, insomnia and sciatica amongst many more ailments. Just google-- atlasPROfilax... It's a one off guaranteed treatment available worldwide no manipulation involved. Truly, do yourself justice and get it done. I'll check back regularly to see if anyone has queries. Cheers, Zantariah*
(Ny)
06/20/2011
★★★★★
Yes, I shampooed with egg yolk today and I used the whites for a facial mask after the shower. I did smell a bit eggy even though I used the lime rinse described in anoher post here. But my skin is so toned and tighter pores, and my hair is very soft and clean. So for a minimal smell-- which you probabaly could use an essential oil to cover it, (I didn't have any on hand to use), it's well worth it.
(London, Uk)
02/11/2013
★★★★★
I have to give a big Yea to egg yolk, although I don't use the apple cider vinegar, I do use a very small amount of conditioner just on the ends. I have tried borax with citric acid rinse, made my hair slightly greasy feeling and limp, baking soda and vinegar rinse, again, just didn't suit my hair at all. Then I read about egg yolk. I have found it brilliant, and it means I don't have to wash it every day, I wash it every 3 days now, a BIG plus. I mix 1 egg yolk (I have shoulder length very fine hair) with a bit a water, a dash of rum (or gin), and a drop or so of peppermint oil. In fact it smells good enough to eat! I have just accidently discovered that if I add half of a fizzy vit c tablet, that makes the mixture much gloopier and easy to massage into my scalp. I leave it on my hair while I shower, and then rinse thoroughly in warm water. I then put a tiny bit of conditioner on the ends as they are very dry. Hopefully after my next cut I can miss that out. I have never had the scrambled egg occurrence that I have read about, and I am assured that it does not smell eggy at all. I will never go back to commercial shampoo!
(Qld Australia 4132)
06/24/2015
★★★★★
I have just tried that recipe - its amazing. And the egg whites I used as a mask - my skin is so soft. I would recommend it to everybody.
(Ten Mile, Tn.)
06/24/2015
HI U TRACY, , , , , , , , , , yep, our ancestors knew this hundreds of years ago. Yoke for the hair and white for the face. Works every time.
Your delight has made us all ecstatic. You have made our day. Too bad this knowledge gets lost over time. Thank you for resurrecting .
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Egg Yolk and Lime Juice Shampoo
★★★★★
(Ny)
06/20/2011
★★★★★
Thank you, I tried this today because I had put a lot of coconut oil on my hair as a conditioning treatment the day before and needed to wash it out. I didn't want to use some chemical shampoo after all that conditioning, so I tried the egg yolks. I was amazed at well it emulsified the oil in my hair and cleaned it but kept it soft. It really detangled it also! I used the lime juice rinse, but didn't rinse it out with water afterward becuase I wanted to keep some lime smell to offset the eggy smell... I still smelled a bit sulfurous, but My hair is looking so conditioned and my curls are so pretty today!
(Princeton, New Jersey)
06/21/2011
Hi Gc, I used to use egg yolks for my hair too. Loved the way it conditioned and strengthened my hair but the smell was a drawback. Anyway, regarding your comment about chemical shampoos, I want to know if you've heard of Wen? I've been using it for two plus years now and am extremely happy with the way it makes my hair soft, shiny, smooth and also helps the color last. I sound like a commercial, lol. But I can't use regular shampoos now because Wen, which is sulfate free and has no harsh chemicals, has also vera, Rosemary and almond oil extracts. It does not lather like regular shampoos but cleans very well. It is a conditioner too. Wen is expensive but I find that a bottle lasts me six months or more, but then my hair is just about shoulder length. I am so impressed with this shampoo that I often get friends to try it. I have to tell you that one friend did not like it at all. She felt that it left her hair greasy. I get mine from one of the shopping channels which is a good way to try, because you can always send it back, if you hate it, within the stipulated time. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about a chemical free shampoo.
(Orange, Texas)
06/22/2011
I too use the Wen product... It does make my hair greasy so I only use it for a conditioner. But I was told that I should try the other kind they have but I don't know what it is but it has less oil in it. I have called the company and told them to exchange my next order for that kind... My hair is butt length. I love the stuff and I even color my hair and it stays colored so much longer. I also periodically put honey on my hair and let it sits for a while.... then wash out.
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
06/29/2011
(Whitianga, New Zealand)
10/19/2011
I started using Wen too at the beginning of this year, and I haven't used shampoo since. Wen is fantastic although I do find it quite expensive, but you can actually use ANY conditioner to wash your hair with and never need to use shampoo again. I alternate the Wen with about 3 other supermarket brand conditioners (instead of shampoo) to keep the cost down, but I will try the egg recipe on here as it sounds great.
(Whitianga, New Zealand)
10/26/2011
I've tried the egg yolk shampoo twice now and have gotten two people in the office to sniff my scalp to see if it smelled "eggy" which apparently it didn't. I was however confused by another post and accidentially put two remedies together - two egg yolks in a cup with a drop each of lavender, rosemary, and lemon essential oil, beat it with a fork, then rubbed it into my wet hair in the shower, then rinsed it well with warm water. I didn't use any kind of conditioner or product.
The egg yolk certainly cleans the hair well and leaves it feeling soft, but I think next time I will put some conditioner on the ends as they feel a bit dry (but then I'm used to slathering on the conditioner now as I no longer use shampoo).
So anyway, I think if the sulfur smell is bothering you, try a few drops of essential oil in with the yolk. I got both male and female to smell my scalp and neither picked up a scent.
Hulda Clark Shampoo
Shampoo
Borax liquid is ready to use as shampoo, too. It does not lather but goes right to work removing sweat and soil without stripping your color or natural oils. It inhibits scalp bacteria and stops flaking and itching. Hair gets squeaky clean so quickly (just a few squirts does it) that you might think nothing has happened! You will soon be accustomed to non-lathery soap. Rinse very thoroughly because you should leave your scalp slightly acidic. Take a pint container to the shower with you. Put 1/4 tsp. Citric (not ascorbic) acid crystals (see Sources) in it. For long hair use a quart of rinse. Only citric acid is strong enough to get the borax out, lemon juice and vinegar are not. After shampooing, fill the container with water and rinse. Rinse your whole body, too, since citric acid is also anti-bacterial. All hair shampoo penetrates the eye lids and gets into the eyes although you do not feel it. It is important to use this natural rinse to neutralize the shampoo in your eyes. (Some people have stated that citric acid makes their hair curlier or reddens it. If this is undesirable, use only half as much citric acid. ) Citric acid also conditions and gives body and sheen to hair.
(Papamoa, New Zealand)
02/10/2012
(Zug, Switzerland)
02/11/2012
Christine, thanks for your tip! I found it today in a pharmacy. I don't think they sell it in the supermarket here but what is it used for? Baking I suppose..... I will probably give it a try as a hair rinse, I hope I don't lose all my hair trying to make it more beautiful..... So far I am ok shampooing it with conditioner and nothing else!
Lemon, Rosemary and Lavender Oil
★★★★★
(Heidelberg, Ontario Canada)
01/09/2009
(Haifa, Israel)
08/09/2011
DO NOT USE TEA TREE OIL ON CATS!
TEA TREE OIL IS EXTREMELY TOXIC TO CATS!
You can read about in on the internet.
Before using any essential oil on your pets check the internet for known allergies to that oil.
(Worcester, Ma)
08/24/2011
I've heard that both tea tree oil and lavendar has been linked to abnormal cell growth (read: cancer) in humans. A woman who had survived breast cancer was warning people on another homemade body products forum about the risks. I personally haven't read the studies but I would recommend looking it up.
(Rochester, Michigan)
03/05/2012
Regarding your concern about tea tree and it's link to cancer. I read an article from the American Cancer Foundation and it says that Tea Tree Oil is toxic when swallowed but that otherwise it is believed by many people to help with skin rashes, it can be used in natural cleaners... Etc. Etc. So, basically it's totally fine to use as a topical treatment, just don't eat it.
Oily Hair Remedies
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
06/13/2014
Hello Suseeq from Australia,
Re ...dealing with oily hair.
Something may be going on at the roots of the hair and I've had success with "shampooing" with Borax. I put a tablespoon in a cup of warm water and dissolve. I take into shower with the solution in a plastic container in case I drop it...the Borax is slippery. Without wetting my hair I douse generously on hair until the whole scalp is saturated. I'm always surprised that the Borax solution lathers up like shampoo. I massage scalp vigorously. I also use some of the solution in ears and eyelids. This solution has never stung my eyes. I let the solution sit in scalp for many minutes then rinse out. Amazing results; soft manageable hair, and takes away the stinging I sometimes get from being allergic to acidic foods like tomatoes.
I use this formula (Borax in cup of warm water) to shampoo with on a once a week basis.
Much relief from an oily condition. Perhaps the underlying problem is microscopic and the boron is killing microbes. Just a guess on that point.
(Usa)
06/14/2014
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
06/14/2014
Rain Water
★★★★★
(Seattle, Wa)
08/21/2011
I totally agree.... I took a rainwater shower (collected in a cistern and heated in a tank) when visiting the foggy Kona coast of Hawai'i many years ago... It has an immediate effect causing unbelievably soft hair and skin, and a remarkably elevated mood. I still rave about it because no water filter has replicated the experience for me! Someone once told me the rain-dissolved sulfur dioxide from the volcano fog was what was so detoxifying in the water... Whatever it was, I felt reborn!
Wish we'd stop polluting the air so I could collect rain water in my city and get a similar effect :). Gotta love mother nature.
Rinse Free Shampoo
(Toronto, On)
01/02/2011
The main ingredients in these dry-shampoo formulas are either talcum powder or corn starch. Apply very lightly, by parting the hair multiple times across your scalp and dusting the powder against your scalp as you go. Once you're all done, let it sit for a couple minutes before rubbing it in with your fingers.
Sugar Shampoo
★★★★★
(Bruxelles, Bruxelles)
05/06/2008
(Austin, Texas, Usa)
02/12/2012
★★★★★
(Zug, Switzerland)
02/13/2012
Nellie, I tried to find the recipe for Alice's egg and honey shampoo but I don't manage, would you mind posting it here? I will also try the sugar and honey shampoo. Right now I am trying out a few things in order to see what works best for my hair. So far no luck but tomorrow I am going to try washing with Borax and then using citric acid as a conditioner!
(New Haven, Ct)
02/13/2012
@ Francisca... you'll find Alice's recipe here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/hair_shampoo.html near the bottom of the page. It's actually listed under the heading "EGG YOLK AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR" but it's her recipe for egg yolk & honey "recipe".
Linda :-)
The No Shampoo Method
★★★★★
She asked for an audience member who would volunteer not to wash their hair for 2 years. After ages and no one seeming willing she asked a girl with extremely long hair she noticed debating it with her friend if she would try it, and she agreed. The following year she returned and said her hair was amazing and you could see a huge difference as well.
She said for 2 or three months her hair smelled musty, which was probably all the toxic shampoo and conditioner coming out. Then it became so healthy thick and shiny it was like her hair was reborn. Two years later, a national newspaper tracked her down to see if she had stayed off washing it. She said it was even better again and she would never ever put soap and water or anything on it as it was fabulous and getting better all the time.
Her friend's who were laughing at her for the first few month's walking around with dull lank smelly hair. All admitted they were NOT laughing now and were all envious of her beautiful tresses.
(West Virginia)
08/08/2016
What did she do to get out pollution and dirt out of her hair?
