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Category: > Health > 12 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo and Conditioner (They Cause Cancer..)

12 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo and Conditioner (They Cause Cancer..)

Jun 24, 2015 Carly Fraser Save For Later Print

Last Updated: May 21, 2022

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Have you ever read the ingredient list of your shampoo or conditioner? If you haven’t, then let me tell you this: it’s scary.

There are over 12 toxic ingredients to avoid in shampoo and conditioner, mainly because they have been linked with causing cancer, and other disease and illness.

Even shampoos labelled as containing “all-natural ingredients” aren’t safe. They still contain toxic ingredients to avoid in shampoo like DMDM hydantoin and ammonium laurel sulphate. Not things that sound all-natural, right? My rule is – if you can’t eat it, then you shouldn’t put it on (or in) your body.

That’s why I like truly all-natural shampoo and conditioning products like Morrocco Method. They create top of the line, mineral-based shampoos and conditioners that are 100% chemical-free, gluten-free, soy-free, wheat-free, colour safe, and 100% raw vegan. This makes them great for anyone wanting to live a more natural and chemical-free lifestyle (or those who simply want a product that works and won’t kill them in the process).

My hair hasn’t felt more luscious and beautiful since using their products. It’d be safe to say that Morrocco Method has saved my hair. Products like those from L’Oreal, Aveeno, Garnier, Herbal Essences, Pantene, Dove (and all the rest) do nothing but strip your hair of natural oils and infuse it with harmful chemicals.

12 Toxic Ingredients To Avoid in Shampoo and Conditioner:

12ToxicIngredientsShampoo
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
A surfactant found in many cleaning products, which is also used as an insecticide. The sodium and ammonium laureate sulfates are known cancer-causing ingredients. Also causes liver damage, skin rashes, depression, diarrhea and eye damage.

Fragrance
Fragrance of any kind isn’t good. It clogs the lymphatic system and induces major organ system toxicity. Also causes endocrine disruption.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine
This foaming agent has been associated with skin and eye irritation and allergic contact dermatitis. Although the government regards it as safe, many people have negative reactions to it.

Triclosan
With a moderate hazard rating, triclosan should be avoided at all costs. It can accumulate in our fat cells and keep our body in a state of toxicity. It causes irritation of the skin, eyes and lungs, and causes endocrine disruption and organ system toxicity.

Polysorbates
Used to dissolve fragrance or other oil additives. Often found in conditioners. It leaves a residue on the skin and scalp, disrupts the skin’s natural pH and destroys the natural protective barrier of our skin and scalp. Polysorbate-80 is the worst of the bunch, but stay clear of all!

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Often found in conditioners, PEG contains dangerous dioxin levels, often found as a by-product of the ethoxylation process in manufacturing. Dioxins have a direct link to cancer, and also cause organ system toxicity.

Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate is used as a preservative in hair-care products, which causes skin and organ system toxicity.

Phenoxyethanol
Another preservative used in cosmetics and hair care products. Causes organ system toxicity, and is an irritant to the skin, eyes and lungs. The FDA even warned that phenoxyethanol can cause shut down of the central nervous system, vomiting and contact dermatitis.

Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, can speed the development of skin tumours and lesions, making it a possible carcinogen. Causes reproductive toxicity and organ system toxicity.

Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a silicone oil that can make the scalp and skin incredibly dry and irritated. It forms an almost plastic-like barrier on the outside of the skin and traps bacteria, sebum and impurities with it. It is also an eye irritant and is non-biodegradable and horrible for the environment.

Behentrimonium Chloride
Behentrimonium Chloride is a type of ammonium salt used as a preservative and surfactant. It is a toxic compound, with concentrations of 0.1% and higher having been shown to damage the eyes. It is irritating to the skin and causes inflammation.

Quaternium-15
This lovely chemical is another quaternary ammonium salt used as a surfactant and preservative in personal care products. It acts as a formaldehyde releaser and is definitely not safe. Formaldehyde is extremely carcinogenic, and should be avoided at all costs.

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Filed Under: Health, Natural Beauty Tagged With: how to grow strong hair, morrocco method, natural beauty, natural hair care, raw vegan shampoo, toxic ingredients to avoid in shampoo

Carly Fraser

About the Author

Carly Fraser has her BSc (Hons.) Degree in Neuroscience, and is the owner and founder at Live Love Fruit. She currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a determined life mission to help inspire and motivate individuals to critically think about what they put in their bodies and to find balance through nutrition and lifestyle. She has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals to re-connect with their bodies and learn self-love through proper eating habits and natural living. She loves to do yoga, dance, and immerse herself in nature.

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Comments

  1. Sandy Timmerman says

    Apr 9, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    None

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    Apr 14, 2019 at 4:48 am

    There are always these bad ingredients in shampoo which just suck. I started using Maple Holistics and it seems it doesn’t have any bad ingredients.

    Reply
    • Carly Fraser says

      Apr 14, 2019 at 11:08 am

      There are for sure some good brands out there! I’m glad you found a good one! I like Morrocco Method and also Carina Organics!

      Reply
  3. Jiffnally says

    Aug 13, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    My mom thinks every shampoo is fine for my transitioning natural hair since we’re going to braid it I’m guessing that my dove shampoo and my VO5 conditioner have many of these ingredients and it has sulfate for sure not just my hair but me myself and body is doomed.

    Reply
  4. Kathy A Young says

    Oct 13, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    Thank you for this great article. If more people only knew the carcinogens, neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors that are in their shampoo, conditioner and hair spray. I use PUREhaven non-toxic shampoo, conditioner and hair spray and love them! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jackie says

    Dec 6, 2020 at 10:19 pm

    Thank you so much for this information. I’m new to soap making and I hope to make lots for my family.I’m so excited to be on this healthy journey.😁🥰

    Reply
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