Which Prods to Keep or Toss? (help me decide)

[divachyk]

OP, need your help --

I know hair responds differently but I'm new here and need a quick lesson. I need to clean out my product stash and figure out what products to keep and which to potentially trash before buying any additional products.

Can you point me to a thread that covers these forbidden ingredients that most typically stay away from or we can just build this list on this thread if that's easiest.

TIA!

 

[Americka]

Remember, all may not apply. Taken from: http://altowebmasters.com/

Isopropyl alcohol.

Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent and denaturant. A denaturant is a substance that changes another substance's natural qualities. It is found in a large range of hair and body care products, especially in hair colour rinses. Isopropyl alcohol is a petroleum-derived substance that is used in antifreeze, wood finishing lacquers and as a solvent in shellac. Inhalation or ingestion of the vapour may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and coma.


Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol is a surfactant or wetting agent, and a solvent. In industry, propylene glycol is used to break down protein and cellular structure (this is also what skin is). In the same form it is found in hair care products. It is a synthetic petrochemical used as a emulsifying base in creams, shampoos and hair conditioners. On skin, it makes the skin look smoother, but ultimately ages the skin faster. It can denature the skin's protein, leading to poor, saggy skin. It can penetrate the skin quickly. In industrial settings, workers are usually required to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles. Skin contact with propylene glycol can cause brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.


Polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol is a petroleum product used in commercial cleaners such as oven cleaners. It is also used in personal care products. Over time, this chemical can cause premature aging of the skin.


Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) & Sodium laureth sulphate.(SLES)

Both sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate are used as detergents and surfactants. They are both used widely in hair conditioners and in approximately 90 percent of all shampoos and products that foam. It is possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products. According to the American College of Toxicology both SLE and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. Hair is made of protein and is affected by SLS and SLES leading to poor quality hair, corroded hair follicles and inhibited hair growth, contributing to hair loss. SLS has the potential to cause cataracts through skin absorption, even without direct contact with the eyes. It can denature the protein of the eyes and delay the healing time of the eyes.
Skin contact can cause SLS to be absorbed into the blood circulation and can then concentrate in organs such as the heart, liver or brain. This is potentially dangerous since SLS is a mutagen, capable of changing the information in the genetic material of your cell and organs.


DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (momoethanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine)

These chemicals are sometimes listed as Cocamide DEA or MEA, Lauramide DEA. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. They are common in shampoos. A study at the University of Illinois found that repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents result in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancers. Children are at greater risk. TEA is used to adjust the pH. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin and can be toxic if absorbed into the body over time.


FD & C Colour pigments

Synthetic colours are used in a shampoos and conditioners to make them more visually appealing. Many pigment colours used in hair dye cause skin sensitivity and irritation, and nerve problems. Absorption of certain colours can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death. Many colours contain coal tar, which has been shown to be carcinogenic. More.


Fragrance

If a hair care product lists 'fragrance' on the label it can contain up to 4,000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic. Symptoms reported from use of these fragrances include headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Studies have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioural changes.


Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used in shampoos, and conditioners as an inhibiting agent against carcinogenic nitrosamine production. Yet, formaldehyde is carcinogenic itself. It readily penetrates the skin and can cause serious long term health concerns, and often sensitises individuals to other chemicals. It can seriously weaken the immune system and can cause cancer. It also causes allergic reactions, headaches, and chronic fatigue.


Imidazolidinyl urea & DMDM Hydantoin.

Imidazolidinyl urea and Hydantoin (DMHM) are preservatives that release formaldehyde. See 'Formaldehyde' above. Nearly all hair care products contain these chemicals.


Parabens (Propyl, Methyl, Butyl, or Ethyl)

Parabens are preservatives used to inhibit microbial growth in hair care products even though they are known to be highly toxic.

 

[divachyk]

thx for input, great analysis; bumping for more responses.

 

[Minty]

Its hard out there for a product girl....I was in a shop today and saw a GREAT "hypoallergenic" Mango Butter conditioner, but it was so filled with parabens in every conceivable configuration that it was impossible for me to buy it.

I try to stay away from "skin aging" products. So basically ^^^Amerika's list.

So no parabens or glycols if I can avoid it. I also don't use DMDM Hydantoin -
I do use sulfates, but stick to a low sulfate formula and it is in only one shampoo. I do not use any conditioner that has sulfate.


Example, I totally bypassed buying Rene Furterer products today because of the parabens, glycols, etc.

When I first started out, I omitted everything. Now I have reincorporated items based on my comfort level. Since I'm relaxed, my focus is on scalp health so I try to limit chemical overload as much as possible. --

 

[divachyk]

Its hard out there for a product girl....I was in a shop today and saw a GREAT "hypoallergenic" Mango Butter conditioner, but it was so filled with parabens in every conceivable configuration that it was impossible for me to buy it.

I try to stay away from "skin aging" products. So basically ^^^Amerika's list.

So no parabens or glycols if I can avoid it. I also don't use DMDM Hydantoin -
I do use sulfates, but stick to a low sulfate formula and it is in only one shampoo. I do not use any conditioner that has sulfate.


Example, I totally bypassed buying Rene Furterer products today because of the parabens, glycols, etc.

When I first started out, I omitted everything. Now I have reincorporated items based on my comfort level. Since I'm relaxed, my focus is on scalp health so I try to limit chemical overload as much as possible. --

I'm relaxed also.

 

[Minty]

Yes so my philosophy is that I assault my scalp every two months - so my goal is to rebalance my scalp as quickly as possible and keep my chemical load down in between. It has been working for me. I no longer experience itchy scalp, no burning when I do relax, and I have soft hair.

 

[Salsarisma]

HijabiFlygirl, for the first time in my life experienced a relaxer with no buring! I think the improved condition of my hair and scalp helped.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Thanks Americka and HFlyGirl!

You two Ladies got busy up in this Piece!

Good Information and a wealth of knowledge!

 

[bellebebe]

I'd stay away from mineral oil. I just had a bad experience with it.

 

[divachyk]

I'd stay away from mineral oil. I just had a bad experience with it.

Mind of ask what happened?

 

[bimtheduck]

That list is very helpful. I had crossed out mineral oil, sulfates, parbens and recently cones and. Now I know what to look out for.
Subscribing.