Whenever I hear anyone mention organic beauty products, I imagine a product that smells funny, looks scary and works poorly. Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a tree-hugging, carefree person. I admire people with different attitudes and values, but organic beauty products just didn’t seem like my tall, skinny vanilla latte.
I became curious about organic beauty products when I noticed products labeled “sulfate-free” gaining popularity. While these products aren’t completely organic, they boast a plethora of benefits for your hair and skin. My curiosity heightened when my friend found out from her dermatologist that she might have a sensitivity to sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate. I quickly looked at the first three ingredients of my shampoo: water, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl what?
Sulfates are in many soaps, shampoos and toothpastes. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant that is used as a foaming agent to make beauty products sudsy. We typically equate more bubbles with cleaner hair, but that’s not particularly true. All of the bubbles in your hair after you lather up are caused by two damaging ingredients.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is closely related to SLES. It is also used in products as a foaming agent and a thickening agent. SLS is found in many cleaners, as well as engine degreasers and industrial products in high quantities because of its ability to break up grease and oil. SLS is used in scientific studies to cause skin irritation in order to test the curing ability of other chemicals.
Why are SLS and SLES bad for your hair and skin? Some people can have a sensitivity that can cause dry, cracked and itchy skin. Sulfates can cause skin irritation and potentially worsen existing skin conditions. SLS in toothpaste has also been associated with canker sores. That painful stinging in your eye after getting shampoo in it? Yep, it’s caused by sulfates. Sulfates in shampoos are harsh on hair and strip away necessary oils. SLS and SLES are also responsible for fading color-treated hair.
After learning about the harmful effects of sulfates, I decided to give sulfate-free products a try. The first product I switched to was Organix Revitalizing Pomegranate Green Tea shampoo and conditioner. I was worried that the sulfate free product wouldn’t clean my hair as well as my previous shampoo. I was wary at first, but after the first use I was sold. I didn’t even miss the foam and suds! The Organix shampoo worked well, and left my hair feeling clean, smooth and light. Organix has a variety of shampoos and conditioners, each with its own purpose ranging from instant repair to hydrating.
Next on my list was sulfate free soap. I tried sulfate free face wash and body wash from Burt’s Bees. Burt’s Bees has a variety of organic products. I recommend the Radiance Exfoliating Body Wash. It’s 99.2% organic and works very well. I now use the Pore Refining Scrub face wash, which is 100% natural. This is a great face wash because it contains salicylic acid, which helps reduce acne and prevents future breakouts.
I tried a sulfate free toothpaste, but actually missed the foaming and the minty fresh feeling I got from Colgate. While I’ve only switched out a few of my products for sulfate free ones, I have been very satisfied with the results. It feels good to use a product with a little less chemicals and harmful ingredients.
While I haven’t gone completely organic, I definitely see the advantages of using sulfate free products. These products are gentler and safer on skin and hair. They’re a bit more expensive but worth the extra money in the end.
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/538086-sodium-laureth-sulfate-allergy/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/124696-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-uses/
Suds (photo): Live Strong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/124696-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-uses/
Organix Revitalizing Pomegranate Green Tea Shampoo (photo): Organix,
http://www.organixhair.com/product/shampoo-9
Radiance Exfoliating Body Wash (photo): Burt’s Bees,
http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/body-washes-soaps/radiance-exfoliating-body-wash.html