Common Shampoo Ingredients
Have you ever wanted to know how to read the shampoo ingredients to see what exactly you're using to cleanse your hair? This simple guide will lay out the most common ingredients that you'll find in shampoos.
Common Surfactants (Detergents)
- sodium laureth sulfate
- ammonium lauryl sulfate
- ammonium laureth sulfate
- cocamidopropyl betaine
- cocoamphodiacetate
- sodium lauryl sulfate
- sodium lauryl sarcosinate
Gentle Surfactants
This list of surfactants are gentle but don't cleanse well.
- cocamidopropyl betaine
- cocamphocarboxyglycinate-propionate
- sodium lauraminodipropionate
- disodium monococamido sulfosuccinate
- disodium cocamphodipropionate
- disodium capryloamhodiacetate
- cocoyl sarcosine
- sodium lauryl sarcosinate
Harsh Surfactants
The following list could cause an irritated scalp or be drying to hair.
- sodium lauryl sulfate
- TEA-lauryl sulfate
- sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate
- TEA-dodecylbenzene
Lather Builders
- cocamide MEA
- lauramide MEA
- lauric DEA
- lauramine oxide
- cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
- polysorbate 20
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
These detangling compounds create a smooth surface to hair and help to manage it better. Also found in conditioners and leave-in sprays.
- guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
- dicetyldimonium chloride
- dihydrogenated tallow benzylmonium chloride
- behentrimonium chloride
- behenalkonium betaine
- benzalkonium chloride
- quaternium 18
- stearalkonium chloride
- cetrimonium chloride
Humectants and Water-Binding Agents
Humectants provide the following benefits: hydration, elimination of static cling, softer feel, thicker feel, protection from dryness, managing porosity. This list is the most common humectants found in shampoos.
- glycerin
- sorbitol
- glycols
- mucopolysaccharides
- hyaluronic acid
- sodium PCA
- propylene glycol
- glycosphingolipids
Conditioning Agents
These agents are also found in conditioners and add benefits such asshiny, soft, silky hair that's a lot easier to comb. They temporarily protect the hair until the next shampoo.
- collagen
- protein
- amino acids
- silicone
- panthenol
- triglycerides
Thickeners
The appearance of shampoos are affected by thickeners. These include:
- cetyl alcohol
- stearyl alcohol
- hydrogenated lanolin
- glycolstearate
- palmitic acid
Preservatives
Preservatives are included to help keep away bacteria growth from occurring. The following is a list of common preservatives:
- methylparaben
- propylparaben
- phenoxyethanol
- DMDM hydantoin
- methyllisothiazolinone
- methylchloroisothiazolinone
- imidazolidinyl urea
Irritable Ingredients
These ingredients that may be irritating or drying to the scalp.
- lemon
- grapefruit
- orange
- menthol
- peppermint
- lime
- balm mint
- oregano
- essential oils
- avocado
- horseradish
- papaya
Most of these shampoo ingredients may also be found in conditioners, leave-in conditioners, and many styling products. Now when you see a shampoo ingredient and you're curious about it, have a look at this list and hopefully it will help you understand the reason for it.
Resource: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me by Paula Begoun
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