Everyone knows that organic is better: for the planet and for you! But is there really that much of a difference between using organic shampoo and chemical-based shampoo?
YES! Here’s why. The healthiest forms of cleansing and restoration have always been organic. From using sand to scrub food off of plates, to herbs that used to be combined to combat sickness. So why should it be any different for your hair?
“Break it down, girl!”
Ok, we’ll get right to the nitty gritty. Industrialization meant that a lower-quality product could be manufactured and sold without regard to the impact it has on the users. But as industry has evolved, so has our knowledge and understanding of nature. The harsh chemicals which have been used for decades in hair products are increasingly alarming, although most people don’t quite understand why we avoid things like “Parabens”. So let’s break down what those nasty things actually do.
Parabens:
The most commonly known name in the beauty industry. Parabens have been used to preserve beauty products for a long time. Many beauty products were made out of animal by-products, and therefore needed something to preserve them (EW!) which is how parabens were introduced to the beauty industry. Except that parabens mess with your hormones! That’s right, they’re nasty, human-designed, chemical compounds that trick your body and can lead to fertility issues as well as some forms of cancer. All around, they’re not good.
SLS/SLES: This is another one you may have seen, but aren’t super familiar with. SLS stands for Sodium (as in salt…) Lauryl Sulfate. Ultimately, these are compounds that are effective at removing grime and dirt from whatever surface they encounter. Which is great for cleaning, but not so great for your hair’s natural oils and protective layers. See, not all oils in your hair are bad! In fact, some people struggle with over-dryness which causes their scalp to produce too much oil so they end up with an oily scalp AND breakage. Your scalp does know what it’s doing, and using products with SLS/SLES in them often lead to dryness and irritation in the scalp and strands. In other words, they strip your hair of its natural protectors and nutritional oils. Unfortunately, that’s not the end of it… There are so many more chemicals which have been introduced to the hair industry which produce results at a cost, we would need a book to go into all of them! So what are we getting at here? Organic shampoo is far better for your hair. Organic shampoo is to your hair as a balanced diet is to your body. Whereas chemical compounds like Parabens and SLS work against your body’s natural defense system to provide a nice looking result, organic shampoos work with your body’s natural system. They encourage healthy oil production and growth, gently scrubbing away outside-interference in the forms of products, dirt, and allergens. The key is in the term organic! Organic shampoos use all-natural resources, and therefore only interact in a natural way with your hair. It’s why we love OWay’s hair baths: the completely organic recipes are practically posted online with their ingredient lists, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your head. (Quick thought: you wouldn’t pour ammonia on your head, so why would you put something with unknown chemicals there? 🧐) To help you get kicked off with a healthier alternative... All of our OWay (Short for Organic Way) Hair Baths (Their fully organic shampoos that support hair health) are 10% off for the month of May! Ready to start your organic journey? Get on the path with an Organic Way bath today!