No Poo & Low Poo - Alternatives to conventional organic shampoos
Why are conventional natural cosmetic shampoos problematic?
Conventional shampoos with their harsh surfactants and other controversial ingredients are coming under increasing criticism - and rightly so. In contrast, natural cosmetics shampoos do not contain silicones and synthetic surfactants. This is a start, but: Almost all organic shampoos still contain ingredients that put unnecessary strain on the scalp and hair. In particular, aggressive surfactants such as sodium coco sulfate, which is used in almost all organic shampoos, are the reason why the scalp becomes more greasy the more often we wash our hair with it. Sodium coco sulfate is partly synthetic in origin, but has nevertheless been permitted without restrictions for certified natural cosmetics of all standards. If you shampoo with such foaming agents every day, the scalp becomes increasingly dry. As a result, it is prone to dandruff, itching, redness or inflammation. Allergic reactions can also be triggered, especially in sensitive people. The hair fiber is also unnecessarily strained: the natural smoothing and shine-giving fatty acid layer is washed off again every time you wash your hair. The hair becomes porous, dry, dull and brittle.
No Poo – washing hair without shampoo
Anyone who wants to try and avoid using shampoo can follow a trend that has been making waves recently: "No Poo" stands for "No Shampoo". This method involves washing your hair naturally with clear water to which you add rye flour or lava clay, for example. Depending on the length of your hair, mix 2 parts lava clay with twice the amount of water. The paste produced in this way is massaged into the scalp and rinsed out under the shower after a short exposure time. Lava clay is a cleansing clay mineral that has been known since ancient times, particularly in North Africa. With the no-poo method, you should wash your hair less often, after you have completely greased your hair once, if possible, in order to bring the scalp's sebum production back into balance. Thorough brushing distributes the hair's natural oils right down to the tips.
Low Poo – Gentle alternative with mild surfactants
Another alternative to conventional organic shampoos with sodium coco sulfate is the gentle "Low Poo" method. This uses a minimal number of high-quality ingredients in combination with the mildest possible purely plant-based surfactants. The detergent amino acids used in myrto organic shampoos stabilize the protective barrier layer of the scalp and preserve the natural pH value of the acid mantle. For very sensitive scalps and allergic dispositions, we recommend the Ultramild Free Organic Shampoo. This minimalist organic shampoo is also free of preservatives, fragrances and alcohol.
What may seem strange at first is the solution that saves you, especially if your hair is greasy or your scalp is irritated. When your scalp is no longer exposed to the aggressive surfactants, you will notice an amazing change: your scalp gradually adjusts its sebum production and produces less oil. The time between washing your hair becomes significantly longer. However, you should be patient, especially during the transition phase. Sometimes it can take 6 weeks or more for your scalp to adjust and sebum production to return to normal. After that, you will notice how your hair gains natural fullness and volume, feels fresher for much longer and looks healthy.
