Shampoos – Do They Really Help Or Harm Your Hair
Boy weren’t they right when they said your hair is your crowning glory! However, to take care of that crowning glory, is a Herculean task! No doubt, the majority of us struggle to maintain healthy hair. No matter the story, the ultimate goal is healthy, great-looking hair. However, what most of us do not know is this – that shampoo you are depending on to make your hair shine, can actually be ruining it!
Yes, you read that right. Unknown to the most of us, the regular shampoos we use frequently, hoping for best outcomes, can gradually damaging our hair. It is a proven fact that there are various chemicals lurking inside our shampoos which induces serious risks!
Here are 7 malicious chemicals found in your shampoo, that can contribute to hair loss!
1.Sulfates
This chemical does not only produce the foam that makes us feel satisfied, it also has the power to break down the proteins our hair needs to grow AND they strip away the protective oils of hair which can cause the hair to dry out and then breakage! Adding on, sulfates destroys hair follicles and when absorbed into the body from continuous contact, they can bring on asthma attacks.
2.Chemical fragrances
You see a new shampoo on the shelf, you grab it, open the cover, bring the bottle close to the tip of your nose… AND SNIFFFFF! This is how we determine if a shampoo is worth the price we pay (instead of reading the labels to decide) not knowing, the chemical fragrance leads to hormonal imbalance which induces hair loss! They contain tonnes of chemicals, some of which have been known to cause headaches, dizziness, rash, hyper pigmentation, coughing and vomiting.
3. Sodium chloride
How does your hair and scalp feel when you leave the sea, after a long, good swim? Dry? Itchy? Have you ever wondered why? It is all because of the salt in the seawater – is the same substance present in your regular shampoo. Sodium chloride, in other words, table salt, can give you a dry, itchy scalp as it dries out your hair and makes it brittle.
4. Parabens
A form of preservative, this substance leaves similar impacts to that of the chemical fragrances on our hormones, however, paraben is also associated with breast cancer…
5. Propylene Glycol
Gives your shampoo its consistency, and is also classified as a skin irritant. This substance is one which helps your scalp absorb all other chemicals and causes allergic reaction.
6. Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
Not only does these two chemicals irritate the skin, they also destroy
an essential component of our hair, keratin, which induces our hair to become dry and brittle. Furthermore, research has proven that applying diethanolamine can lead to liver and kidney cancer. DEA absorbed through the skin and can also be toxic to the brain.
Best Natural Ingredients for Hair
We can sense you are now in a quandary but fret not guys, as EcoQueen believes, there will always be safer (and sometimes even cheaper) alternatives or methods available for every problem we encounter, especially ones related to hair care????
Let us be more mindful, and resort to natural ingredients that are as powerful — if not more — as any synthetic, which will not only solve your hair loss issues, but also encourage healthy hair growth and give your hair that natural shine you yearn for!
Here are 7 best natural ingredients you can pamper your hair with
1. Seaweed
This ingredient does not only make a scrumptious sushi, it also helps to control oiliness on your scalp! A new study suggests that a mix of two seaweed extracts (Saccharina japonica and Undaria pinnatifida) stimulates hair-growth-promoting hormones in as little as two weeks!
2. Rosemary
Who would have thought that this ingredient which is easy to grow and makes everything smell so Italian also promotes hair growth as good as minoxidil, without side effects like itching!
3.Clay and Charcoal
Yes, these are ash and dirt, but hey, a little grit is a good thing if you want to nail that sexy-wavy-hair look yeah! These ingredients increase body and texture by leaving residues on the hair that increases friction between strands.
4.Honey
Honey is great to keep your hair hydrated. According to a study published in European Journal of Medical Research an easy and effective DIY dandruff remedy is to dilute pure honey in warm water and use it every other day. It can help to clear up flakiness, itchiness, and other scalp conditions in just two weeks.
5. Coconut Oil
A classic, Asian favourite. Generally, most natural oils make your hair shinier as they stay on top of your hair but, coconut oil is one natural oil that will actually penetrate through your hair making your hair stronger from the inside out. Plus, research shows that coconut oil reduces the protein loss that results from brushing and blow-drying. Great news, isn’t it?
6. Avocado Oil
This multi-functional ingredient is rich with vitamins B and E. It will make an amazing leave-in conditioner for your hair, softening it and providing great shine. If your hair is dry or damaged, avocado oil will help to replenish the strength of your damaged hair, moisturise it and even make it shine. A bonus – this oil spreads quickly to coat the hair without weighing it down!
7. Olive Oil
Very similar to the natural oils of the hair and scalp, olive oil aids in replenishing the oils that are missing in dry, damaged hair. Zap a little olive oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then massage it into the hair, starting from the scalp and working your way to the tips – tadaa..a pre-shampoo treatment! Also, olive oil makes an excellent conditioner.
Top 7 Organic Shampoos in Malaysia
1. ORGANIX Cocoa Butter Shampoo
Packed with nutrients, this best-selling shampoo is loaded with cocoa butter, which can almost immediately repair troubled tresses and imparts sheen. Missing your hair’s natural elasticity? Worry not for the babassu oil will help to restore it, while the sesame seed oil will give your hair a natural shine. Like a cherry on top, this shampoo suits ALL hair types!
2. Dr Organic Activated Charcoal Shampoo
This shampoo, formulated with activated carbon, can do wonders to your hair as it can reach deep into your hair to remove impurities and excessive oils. Good news for those of you who are exposed to the outdoors for long hours – This organic shampoo is exclusively designed to protect your hair from pollution and helps to decongest dull and lifeless hair!
3. Coco Veda Herbal Shampoo with Virgin Coconut Oil
A 100% natural and homemade organic shampoo, impressively filled with a blend of peppermint oil and orange oil, to make your scalp and hair to feel revitalised. Just a little amount of this shampoo is powerful enough to eliminate all the excess oils and dirt from your hair strands. For those of you who suffer from dry or frizzy hair, THIS organic shampoo rich with coconut oil’s nourishing properties should be your ultimate choice!
4. Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo
Rich with biotin, this organic shampoo is all set to be the solution for your dry hair! Just so you know, biotin is a significant water-soluble Vitamin B, that works magic on our hair, skin, and nails. Hence, applying this organic saviour biotin-filled shampoo to your hair will promote hair-thickening and hair growth.
5. TRESemmé Detox & Nourish Shampoo
This well-known organic shampoo in Malaysia is packed with all-natural hair-loving ingredients like ginger and green tea. The shampoo can effectively deep-cleanse your hair, and magically removes daily impurities while replenishing nutrients to nourish the hair. Plus, this organic shampoo does not contain any parabens or dyes so, it can be applied to any hair types!
6. SUKIN Moisture Restoring Shampoo
Made of soothing aloe vera and chamomile that can detangle and soften damaged hair, this organic shampoo is packed with nutrient-rich rosehip oil and scalp conditioning burdock, both which can improve your hair texture. Along with all these ingredients, the shampoo is also loaded with moisture-rich ingredients like shea butter and wheat germ, avocado, jojoba and rosehip oils which can prevent split ends and leaves your hair completely nourished and silky smooth!
7. Melvita Gentle Purifying Shampoo
Searching high and low for a truly rejuvenating hair wash experience? Then, add this organic shampoo to your hair care routine! This shampoo can nourish and revitalize your scalp and hair as it is deeply concentrated in organic ingredients. Not only that, this shampoo combines the multiple essential oils like lemon and rosemary, giving us a super refreshing, feminine and clean after-shower feel!
5 Tips For Healthy Hair in Malaysia
As EcoQueen truly appreciates your choice to educate yourself, let us now treat you with some tips and tricks for healthy hair!
1. Egg Treatment Magic
Utilize the entire egg to condition your hair. Use the egg whites for dry or brittle hair, to moisturize it. Apply half a cup of egg mixture (egg white and yolk) to clean, damp hair. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with cool water, and watch the magic happen!
2. A BIG NO To Hot Water
hot water makes your hair dry and brittle as it strips protective oils from your hair! So, go with water that is slightly warmer than your body temperature when you wash your hair.
3. Air-Dry Is The Way!
Instead of blow-drying your hair, let it dry by itself. Use this traditional method to prevent your hair from being brittle and dry.
4. Protection Before Pool!
Pools are never a safe place for your hair as it contains harsh chemicals. Simply apply a little conditioner to your hair before you swim, and it will protect your hair before they come in contact with the pool water.
5. Brush your hair right!
Never use a comb with plastic bristles to prevent hair breakage from static electricity. The best way to brush your hair is by first brushing the ends to remove tangles and then take the long stokes from the roots of the hair to the ends. This technique will help spread natural hair oil and thus prevent breakage.
