Chemical Safety of Shampoo Brands

Some shampoo brands contain harmful toxins.

Every day, in the attempt to keep their hair clean, many people unknowingly wash their hair with shampoo brands that contain toxins, possibly causing harm to not only themselves but their children.

How Shampoo can be Unsafe

An article on the Environmental Working Group's website states: "Shampoos can have dozens and dozens of ingredients fine-tuning their unique appeal... And not all those ingredients are necessarily benign." Ingredients of some shampoos are linked to cancer or other health problems, or they are suspected of causing cancer or other health problems.

What to Avoid

Reading a shampoo bottle's ingredients label can alert you to potentially harmful toxins contained in the shampoo. According to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, it is best to avoid DMDM hydantoin, fragrance, cetareth and PEG compounds.

Safe Shampoo Brands

Many safe shampoo brands are available.

Of the safest shampoo brands, Environmental Working Group rates the following as best picks: Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Carol's Daughter Hair Oil, Dr. Bronner's Castile Liquid Soap-Peppermint, Earth Tribe Kids Pure Botanical Baby Shampoo and Bath Gel, and Keys Soap MetaCare.

Why They are Included

Potentially harmful chemicals in shampoo have their purpose. Fragrances give hair a fresh scent, and the suds that foaming agents provide make us feel that the shampoo gets our hair clean.

Possible Solution

In 2005, the European Union passed a law that all products placed on skin must be rigorously tested for harmful toxins. In the United States, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not implemented this kind of action in the chemical testing for personal products.

References

• Environmental Working Group: Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database--Parent's Buying Guide
• Environmental Working Group: What's Really in Your Shampoo?; Dan Goleman; May 3, 2010