Today, the media is bombarding us with the message that Sulfates and Parabens are bad for us. But why now when they have been used for so many years? And, what are parabens and sulfates anyway?
Parabens – For years parabens were considered safe and were used in skin and hair care products. However, with advances in beauty products, many now question the safety of parabens. But first, what are parabens? “Paraben” is short for “para-hydroxybenzoate” It is made up of synthetic chemicals used for preservation. The chemicals can be found in shaving cream, soap, lip-gloss, lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, and hundreds of other products. This brings up another question, if parabens are so bad for you why do manufacturing companies use them? The answer is simple parabens are cheap and very effective. Using these synthetic chemicals lower production cost while providing a long shelf life. It is important to note, although it is possible to absorb parabens through your skin, the real dangers of parabens come when they are ingested or applied directly to your skin.
Sulfate Free Products – Right along with parabens we have been told to stay clear of sulfates too, but why? In a nutshell, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate also known as SLS is a cheap, but powerful grease cutting detergent. It is also what makes products lather or have a foamy appearance. It has been used in soap, shampoo and cleansers to degreasing agents. Sulfates can and do irritate your scalp. Let me ask you this – have you ever gotten shampoo in your eyes when washing your hair? I bet you dropped the shampoo bottle because your eyes were burning, right? Well, sulfate, my friend, is more than likely the reason your eyes are burning. On top of that, it can damage your hair follicles. Unfortunately, damaged hair follicles lead to weakened hair and slow hair growth.
Sulfate Free & Paraben Free – On the other hand, when you use products that are sulfate free and paraben free you can expect better moisture retention for hair and skin. Products with sulfates dry out your hair, scalp and skin. Sulfate free products gently clean your hair and skin, which in turn holds moisture. When it comes to your hair, it produces natural oils by itself. Sulfate free products are made to remove oil and dirt from your hair, but they also help you to retain your natural oils in your hair too. Your health is at risk and the dangers are real. It is vital to use products that are organic and all natural. Paraben and sulfate free products can be found at All Natural Cosmetics. They have the best cosmetics without synthetics. Also, they have a wide range of products you can purchase.
About the author: Sherry Harris is the solopreneur of Sherry’s Life. On the blog she writes about any and everything related to hair care and hairstyles.