13 harmful substances in shampoos

Advertisements consistently promise us mild, skin-friendly shampoos that are supposed to give our hair volume, structure and shine and also make it easier to comb. Clear videos and before and after photos are supposed to convince us and encourage us to buy the advertised product. Unfortunately, the vast majority of shampoos contain aggressive chemicals that are harmful to our health and pollute the environment. The dangerous thing about this is that the health damage does not occur immediately after use, but rather accumulates over the course of a lifetime. This makes it so difficult to identify the real causes.

Our most important tip: Check the ingredients

It is worth carefully checking each individual ingredient in your shampoo using the ingredients list (INCI) on the packaging, for example with the help of the Codecheck app or Hautschutzengel.de. This way you can avoid substances that are harmful to your health and distinguish a high-quality product from an inferior one.

In the following overview we list the 13 most harmful ingredients in shampoos. You should definitely avoid these harmful substances:

1. Lauryl sulfates (SLS, SLES) - irritating to the skin and drying for the scalp

INCI: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

The foaming agents SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are based on ethoxylated (alcoholic) petroleum derivatives. The dangerous chemical dioxane, which is considered carcinogenic, is produced as a byproduct during the manufacturing process. Lauryl sulfates are used not only in shampoos, liquid soaps and bubble baths, but even in toothpastes.

Lauryl sulfates have a drying and irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes. Although they thoroughly remove greasy dirt particles, they dissolve the protective barrier layer of the skin's surface. As a result, the skin tends to itch, flake, become red or eczema. Lauryl sulfates also make the skin permeable to harmful substances, which are then stored in the organs. Lauryl sulfates are also questionable from an ecological point of view, as they hardly break down in the environment and pollute water.

2. Silicones – clog the pores of the scalp, weigh down the hair

INCI: endings with “–cone” or “–xane

On the INCI list, you can recognize silicones by the endings “–cone” or “–xane”.
Silicones give the impression of healthy hair by making the hair look smooth and shiny for a short time. In fact, silicones seal the scalp and form a film around each individual hair. Since silicones are not water-soluble, they cannot simply be washed out when washing the hair. This causes an increasingly thick layer of silicone to build up on the scalp and hair fiber (build-up effect). The hair becomes increasingly dry and heavy, the roots look flat and lack volume. Silicones clog the pores of the scalp, they promote impurities and pimples. Silicones are not biodegradable in the environment, especially when they enter the water via sewage treatment plants.

3. Polyquaternium / Quats – skin irritations and allergic reactions

INCI: Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-7, Quaternium-15, Quaternium-31, Quaternium-60

Polyquaternium and quaternium, called polyquats and quats for short, plus a number each, are also synthetic hair care ingredients. Examples are: Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-7, Quaternium-15, Quaternium-31, Quaternium-60.

Quats are intended - similar to silicones - to make hair easy to comb and shiny and to prevent electrostatic charging. However, polyquaternium can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. In addition, quats / polyquats are hardly biodegradable. They end up in rivers, lakes and seas with wastewater, and ultimately in the groundwater.

4. Mineral oil – clogs pores and accelerates skin aging

INCI: Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum

On the ingredients list of cosmetic packaging, mineral oil is declared as paraffinum liquidum or petrolatum. Mineral oil is used in shampoos as a softener and moisturizer and is a synthetic oil - the same petroleum that is used to make plastic and car fuel. Mineral oil can contain residues of carcinogenic formaldehyde and dioxane. Mineral oil contains no minerals, vitamins or nutrients. Mineral oil is a cheap substitute for high-quality vegetable oils. It has no benefit for the skin. Mineral oil is comedogenic. This means that it clogs the pores of the skin and hinders the natural skin respiration, so that toxins cannot be excreted through the skin. This results in skin problems such as pimples, dandruff and accelerated skin aging.

5. Parabens – hormonally active, skin irritating and increased allergy potential

INCI: Benzylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Heptylparaben, Methylparaben or Propylparaben

The most common names to look for on the INCI list are benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, heptylparaben, methylparaben or propylparaben. Parabens are widely used synthetic preservatives to extend the shelf life of shampoos and prevent the growth of mold or bacteria.

Parabens are similar to the female hormone estrogen and can act as endocrine disruptors. They can, for example, promote breast development and feminization in men. In women, estrogen dominance as a result of hormonal imbalance can lead to mood swings, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and breast or uterine cancer. Parabens are also considered contact allergens that can trigger allergic reactions on the scalp. It is also worrying that parabens cannot be broken down in the environment and are increasingly accumulating in nature.

6. PEGs – skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions, sensitization

INCI: PEG-xxx as a prefix, or xxx–“eth” as an ending, e.g. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ceteareth-33 or Polysorbate, Copolyol, Polyglycol

PEG is the abbreviation for polyethylene glycol. The extremely reactive synthetic substances are used as emulsifiers, solubilizers, consistency agents or pearlescent agents in shampoos, skin creams, deodorants or toothpaste. PEG compounds damage the membrane function of the skin, soften the cell walls and make them permeable to the penetration of harmful substances. Possible consequences are skin irritation, allergies, neurodermatitis, reddening of the mucous membranes and eyes or headaches. PEGs accelerate skin aging. They are made from the highly toxic gas ethylene oxide - an extremely reactive chemical that is considered potentially mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic. PEGs are extremely harmful to the environment. It can take many decades for these chemicals to be completely broken down by microorganisms.

How can you recognize PEGs or PEG derivatives? Firstly, there is the prefix "PEG" in the ingredients list of cosmetics, for example: PEG Stearate, PEG-55 Propylene, PEG-3 Distearate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-41 Aminoethyl. Secondly, ingredients that end in "eth" indicate PEGs. Examples are Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ceteareth-33 or also: Polysorbate, Copolyol and Polyglycol.

7. Phthalates – endocrine disruptors and allergic reactions

INCI: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) or diethyl phthalate (DEP)

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used as plasticizers and solvents in soaps, cleaning products and also shampoos. On the ingredients list, phthalates are declared as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) or diethyl phthalate (DEP).

Studies suggest that phthalates are hormonally active, have estrogenic effects and can act as endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are substances that disrupt hormonal balance, stop the production of hormones or block their transmission in the body. This affects premature sexual maturation in children, but also hormone-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases or certain tumors. The phthalates DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP are classified as reproductive toxic (dangerous for reproduction). In animal experiments, the phthalate DPHP has a damaging effect on vital hormone glands, the thyroid and the pituitary gland. With other phthalates, damage to the liver, kidneys and testicles is the main cause.

8. Ethanolamines – skin irritation, eye irritation, carcinogenic

INCI: MEA (monoethanolamine), diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), TEA lauryl sulfate, DEA cetyl phosphate, cocamide MEA

Common names include monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) or cocamide MEA from the group of carcinogenic and mutagenic nitrosamines, TEA-lauryl sulfate, MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate. Ethanolamines serve as surfactants , plasticizers, stabilizers, emulsifiers and humectants. They irritate the mucous membranes and have an allergenic effect. These harmful substances in hair shampoo often react with other chemical ingredients and form dangerous nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are considered to be highly carcinogenic. They can cause permanent damage to the genetic material, liver and kidneys. DEA and TEA severely dry out skin and hair. Ethanolamines are known to be environmentally toxic.

9. EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) – allergic reactions, itching, skin rashes

INCI: : Ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate; Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA or Sodium EDTA

EDTA is a petroleum-based chemical compound that is extremely reactive. In shampoos, it quickly combines with other harmful substances such as parabens or chemical UV filters and allows them to enter the body. EDTA promotes allergic reactions such as rashes, redness and itching. It accumulates in the body. EDTA is considered environmentally toxic.

10. Formaldehyde releaser – skin irritation, allergic reactions, potentially carcinogenic

INCI: DMDM ​​Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Sodium Hydroxymethyl Glycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bromopol), Imidazolidinyl Urea, Bronidox, 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane

Formaldehyde releasers contain formaldehyde in a bound form. They have a strong bactericidal and fungicidal effect and are therefore used as antimicrobial agents for preserving cosmetics such as shampoos. When washing your hair with a shampoo that contains formaldehyde, the pollutant is released onto the (scalp) skin. Even in small doses, formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes, causes the skin to age more quickly, and can cause hair loss and allergies. DMDM ​​Hydantoin has been classified as potentially carcinogenic.

11. Propylene glycol (PG) – skin irritation and systemic damage

INCI: Propylene glycol (PG), 1,2-propanediol, propylene glycol, dicaprylate/dicaprate.

PG is made from petroleum and is intended to be used as a humectant in shampoos. Notorious for its high irritant potential, propylene glycol can enter the body through the skin, where it weakens cell structures and can cause nausea and headaches. Long-term use of PG can cause liver and kidney damage.

12. Synthetic fragrances – allergic irritation potential, toxic and environmental effects

Synthetic fragrances consist of a variety of chemical compounds and are intended to mask the unpleasant smell of other chemicals contained in shampoos and other cosmetics. They can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, headaches, dizziness, nausea or skin rashes. In addition to a high allergy potential, some artificial fragrances have also been shown in animal experiments to have toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Some synthetic fragrances accumulate in fatty tissue and can even be detected in breast milk. They are also hardly degradable in the environment.

13. Synthetic dyes – promote allergies and systemic health problems

Synthetic dyes are petroleum-based chemicals. They are used for purely optical reasons to make a product look more attractive for sale. You can recognize synthetic dyes in cosmetics by the abbreviation CI (= Color Index) with a 5-digit number after it, including the red azo pigment CI 18050 or CI 19140 for the yellow tatrazine. Both ingredients are questionable. Azo pigments in particular have a high allergy potential and can be carcinogenic.

Synthetic dyes are associated with serious health problems. Some are suspected of promoting allergies, causing hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders in children, or of being carcinogenic.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many harmful substances in conventional shampoos that you should definitely avoid. Therefore, all myrto organic shampoos contain only natural and harmless ingredients, whose particularly good skin compatibility has been proven and tried and tested over many years. As with all myrto products, our myrto organic shampoos also consistently avoid any questionable substances in order to ensure long-term healthy care for your scalp and hair.