My Shampoo And Conditioner Replacements
Because of my allergies I had to stop using store bought shampoo and conditioners many years ago. I've always had sensitive skin but most products I used for my hair dried out my skin and really irritated it.
I began to look into ingredients to see if I could figure out what ingredients were bothering me and what were the most common ingredients that people tended to be sensitive to.
So in my search I decided that I would avoid the top known irritants like alcohol, perfum/fragrance (synthetic & natural), sodium lauryl sulfate, essential oils, Citrus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, linalool, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate, and dyes.
I also tried to avoid the ingredients that I knew I was sensitive to already. Ingredients like sulfates, tea tree oil, propylene glycol, nettle,and ingredients containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde producers (this would include things like DMDMhydantoin, quaternium 15, hydroxymethylglycinate, 3 dioxane, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1, bronopol, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl).
It's extremely hard to find products without any type of alcohol, or even some type of fragrance so I did try to find products without or at least with as few of these two ingredients as possible. For example, if fragrance was near the top or even the middle of the ingredient list I wouldn't try it but if it was at the bottom it was a possibility.
I also had to figure in ingredients that I knew my hair didn't like or that I knew I want to avoid such as parabens and coconut oil. Unfortunately for me coconut oil (which makes my hair look greasy but feels a lot like straw) is everywhere in hair care and my hair hates it.
For many years I used baking soda to wash my hair and my hair loved it. Unfortunately my skin became to sensitive to it and I had to stop using that too. Eventually (after a lot of trial and error) I came up with something that didn't irritate my skin and actually helped my hair.
I came up with a green tea rinse (or shampoo depending how you look at it) and this is what I do.
I soak one organic green tea bag overnight in enough water to cover the tea bag.
The next morning I squeeze out the water & remove the tea bag.
I add 3 cupfuls (or about 2-3 tsp) of aloe vera juice to the tea.
Sometimes I also add a couple drops of almond, grape seed, or apricot oil.
After wetting and rinsing my hair I add a bit of warm water to my green tea mix and poor it over my hair. Massaging it in and waiting at least one minute before rinsing it out.
Green tea is known to stimulate hair growth, reducing shedding and itching. It's also a source of panthenol that helps moisturize hair and helps to balance the scalps Ph levels. Aloe Vera is not only a moisturizer but it has anti-inflammatory properties and the vitamins and folic acid (among other things) help to strengthen and nourish hair.
There is the odd time I might find a conditioner that I can use on the ends of my hair only. Most though irritate my skin so it is a rarity. My hair is curly and naturally dry so I'm constantly trying to find ways to add moisture and reduce frizz.
For dry scalp, especially in the winter months you can use your moisturizer directly onto your scalp as you would anywhere else on your body. Sometimes I also use it on the ends of my hair at night. Not all moisturizers will work but sometimes desperate times equals desperate measures.
There are several hair recipes on my Pinterest page Hair Care if you are looking for some ideas.
sources:
paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/sensitive-skin/how-sensitizing-ingredients-hurt-skin.html
shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/common-beauty-products-formaldehyde-dangers
teaspec.com/green-tea-for-healthy-and-beautiful-hair/
healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-hair-mask#benefits-as-a-hair-mask
I began to look into ingredients to see if I could figure out what ingredients were bothering me and what were the most common ingredients that people tended to be sensitive to.
I also tried to avoid the ingredients that I knew I was sensitive to already. Ingredients like sulfates, tea tree oil, propylene glycol, nettle,and ingredients containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde producers (this would include things like DMDMhydantoin, quaternium 15, hydroxymethylglycinate, 3 dioxane, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1, bronopol, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl).
It's extremely hard to find products without any type of alcohol, or even some type of fragrance so I did try to find products without or at least with as few of these two ingredients as possible. For example, if fragrance was near the top or even the middle of the ingredient list I wouldn't try it but if it was at the bottom it was a possibility.
I also had to figure in ingredients that I knew my hair didn't like or that I knew I want to avoid such as parabens and coconut oil. Unfortunately for me coconut oil (which makes my hair look greasy but feels a lot like straw) is everywhere in hair care and my hair hates it.
I came up with a green tea rinse (or shampoo depending how you look at it) and this is what I do.
I soak one organic green tea bag overnight in enough water to cover the tea bag.
The next morning I squeeze out the water & remove the tea bag.
I add 3 cupfuls (or about 2-3 tsp) of aloe vera juice to the tea.
Sometimes I also add a couple drops of almond, grape seed, or apricot oil.
After wetting and rinsing my hair I add a bit of warm water to my green tea mix and poor it over my hair. Massaging it in and waiting at least one minute before rinsing it out.
Green tea is known to stimulate hair growth, reducing shedding and itching. It's also a source of panthenol that helps moisturize hair and helps to balance the scalps Ph levels. Aloe Vera is not only a moisturizer but it has anti-inflammatory properties and the vitamins and folic acid (among other things) help to strengthen and nourish hair.
There is the odd time I might find a conditioner that I can use on the ends of my hair only. Most though irritate my skin so it is a rarity. My hair is curly and naturally dry so I'm constantly trying to find ways to add moisture and reduce frizz.
For dry scalp, especially in the winter months you can use your moisturizer directly onto your scalp as you would anywhere else on your body. Sometimes I also use it on the ends of my hair at night. Not all moisturizers will work but sometimes desperate times equals desperate measures.
There are several hair recipes on my Pinterest page Hair Care if you are looking for some ideas.
sources:
paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/sensitive-skin/how-sensitizing-ingredients-hurt-skin.html
shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/common-beauty-products-formaldehyde-dangers
teaspec.com/green-tea-for-healthy-and-beautiful-hair/
healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-hair-mask#benefits-as-a-hair-mask
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