Benefits of chemical free shampoo
safe shampoo for multiple chemical sensitivities
You must use a chemical free shampoo if you’re suffering with MCS. However, be aware that many of the brands that claim to be chemical free are very misleading. We’ve checked many of the brands in a famous health food chain and found that most of the shampoo on the shelves contained some form of SLS or other toxic chemicals.
Remember that horrible chemical stinging sensation on bath night when mom accidentally washed shampoo into your eyes as a kid? It was obvious enough back then that chemical shampoo was something that we might want to steer clear of, but as we get older it seems we stop listening to what our body was telling us when we were children.
Take a closer look at the ingredients on your bottle and you’ll probably discover that you’re getting more than just clean hair with many shampoos on the market. As people are starting to take more notice of chemical sensitivity, it’s surprising to find that many of the high street manufacturers are still using chemicals such as the following:
- Cocoamide DEA (diethylalomine), which is the detergent agent in many common shampoos. Research has indicated that fetal brain development can be inhibited by DEAs
- Propylene Glycol, which is normally used as antifreeze is often found in shampoos
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is another industrial product which has somehow found it way into our household products. However, this chemical is an industrial floor cleaner and should not be used on the skin
- Benzaldehyde which is a general irritant to mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs and some studies have shown can cause kidney damage
- Benyl Acetate has been linked to pancreatic cancer and worryingly can be absorbed though the skin
- Benzyl Alcohol can irritate the respiratory system and in the most extreme cases has lead to death from respiratory failure
- Linalool usually found in laundry detergent can cause central nervous system problems
- Methylene Chloide was banned by the FDA in 1988 and is on the EPA Hazardous Waste list. This nasty chemical is a well documented carcinogen
While this is not an exhaustive list of the chemicals you may find in your shampoo, it gives an indication of the corners some manufacturers are cutting or the basic health facts they are choosing to ignore.
The benefits of a chemical free shampoo are obvious – you can be sure you aren’t rubbing any of the chemicals above into your scalp before your morning coffee. Chemical free alternatives to all of these noxious substances exist, but unfortunately not every company is as concerned about your wellbeing as you are.
Substituting chemical shampoos for a natural shampoo will mean a shampoo combining essential oils, essences, and botanical products. The end result of clean hair is the same but without side effects from chemical sensitivity to carcinogens and irritants.
Most of the chemical free shampoo ingredients you will probably have heard of as they have been used for hundred is not thousands of years. Here is a list of some of the most popular ones:
- Rosemary, which is a powerful anti-carcinogen and also contains a high proportion of antioxidants
- Chamomile, used traditionally in Russia for muscle ache as well as the more familiar calming and sleep-promoting effects
- Lavender, with its sweet and pleasant perfume, has prominent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
- Lime, with its zingy fresh aroma is a common addition to chemical-free shampoos and is also used in aromatherapy products
- Burdock is a medicinal plant with many uses; in Europe its oil is used as a chemical-free scalp tonic for dandruff, as well as to strengthen and condition hair and prevent hair loss
- Sage, amongst its many amazing healthful properties, has potent antifungal and antibiotic cleansing properties
- Thyme holds a powerful antiseptic effect
- Mint is a common aromatherapy oil known for its exhilarating characteristics, and is included in many shampoos to invigorate the scalp
- Macadamia Nut contains a high percentage of palmitoleic acid, which is already present on the skin but becomes depleted with age and is highly valued for its nourishing and softening properties on the scalp as well as the rest of the body
- Almond Extract is used for its emollient properties, and can be used to soothe a dry scalp
- Eucalyptus, commonly used for its deodorant properties also is included in chemical-free shampoos to clean hair and scalp
- Ginger, traditionally used to cure headache by massaging into the scalp, is also used in chemical-free shampoo for its pleasantly fresh aroma
- Cranberry is well known for bursting with antioxidants
- Avocado is widely used as a natural conditioner for hair
Fundamental Shampoo is one of the most luxurious and decadent natural shampoos on the market. It is infused with super-hydrating herbal extracts and nourishing vitamins that can not only moisturize the hair and scalp, but also maintain pH balance. These organic ingredients will naturally clean and nourish the hair without any of the harsh chemicals that can be found in regular shampoos.
Upon opening a bottle of Fundamental Shampoo the mild lavender scent is both refreshing and calming. Many people even think that it smells like a spa. Fundamental Shampoo utilizes natural lavender oil, because it is both an essential oil and a universal oil that will bring balance to the body.
Lavender comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash,” and its soothing aroma has been used for centuries to calm the nervous system and to bring emotional stability by reducing anxiety and improving sleep patterns. Perhaps one of lavender’s most significant benefits is its ability to improve skin health. Lavender has long been used to treat some of the toughest skin conditions like, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and fungal infections. Fundamental Earth’s decision to include lavender oil was not just for its lovely scent, but because it can also benefit the skin in numerous ways.
Not only are these ingredients safe to wash with, but most of them are safe to eat as well which certainly cant be said for chemical based shampoo! Remember, you can’t go wrong with a truly natural shampoo.
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