Harmful ingredients in hair products: find out what’s making your hair dry! 

Know the harmful ingredients in hair products is the first step to improving the health and appearance of your hair.

So, if your hair is full of split ends, dry, and nothing seems to be working, we recommend taking a look at the ingredients list on your shampoo.

But first, check out the content below to find out which components deserve special attention in this conference.

Why is it important to pay attention to the ingredients in hair products?

You've probably heard or read the phrase "this product didn't work for my hair" a lot of times, after all, this is a common observation in famous cosmetic reviews on social media.

But the fact is that many of these products don't work well with any hair, and this is because they contain harmful ingredients.

These ingredients promote dehydration, roughness, and prevent hair from receiving nutrients that keep it healthy and beautiful.

For this reason, anyone who uses this product will notice that their hair doesn't look good, and the devastating effects depend on the health of their hair.

This is because, for nourished and healthy hair, this impact is not so evident, and will be better observed with frequent use.

For a chemically treated strand that has already suffered some neglect, one application is enough to make the owner of the head think, "Is shaving the head a solution?"

Therefore, evaluating the ingredients before purchasing a cosmetic helps you avoid harmful ingredients in hair products. This makes it easier to make better purchases.

5 Harmful Ingredients in Hair Products

When it comes to what works or doesn't work for your hair, it's all very relative, after all, each strand's needs are different.

Some are malnourished, while others need hydration, and in some cases only deep reconstruction can resolve the situation.

But the fact is that some ingredients hinder the effectiveness of treatments, in addition to further damaging the hair, which makes the person feel as if they are doing something wrong.

In this case, reading the ingredients list and avoiding products that contain harmful ingredients solves a significant part of the problem.

With that in mind, below we will look at 5 components that are harmful to hair.

1. Salts – Harmful Ingredients in Hair Products

These days, virtually all hair products feature the label "salt-free" or "0 salt." So, what's the problem with salt for hair?

The big problem with these ingredients is that, just like common salt, they promote dehydration, so they end up drying out the ends of your hair.

Additionally, the salt in shampoos can strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing dandruff and flaking.

Therefore, keep an eye on the ingredients list, and if you notice that the shampoo has salt in its formula, choose an option free of this ingredient.

2. Parabens

There is some disagreement on this issue, as many people consider parabens to be non-problematic, as they are even found in food products.

However, the biggest problem with parabens is that, when used in excess, they cause hormonal changes in the body, and this can result in dry and flaky hair.

In general, this ingredient is used in the cosmetics industry to preserve the product, so many consider it an unnecessary risk, as the component does nothing to improve the health and beauty of the hair.

3. Sulfate 

Sulfate is a common ingredient in cleansing cosmetics, including shampoos, soaps, and facial cleansers.

What makes it so popular is the fact that it produces a lot of foam, a factor that many consider important in a good product.

However, excess sulfate can dry out the hair, as it acts as a type of detergent, and ends up removing even the protective oil.

Furthermore, if you have dyed hair, be aware that this ingredient promotes faster fading, as it cleans more aggressively, removing even the pigments deposited in the hair.

Therefore, although this ingredient is not a direct villain, it is worth avoiding products that have it in high concentration in the formula, after all, too much cleaning will only leave your hair dull, dry and brittle.

4. Alcohol 

Alcohol is an ingredient commonly used in cosmetics, and its main function is to facilitate the entry of nutrients into the hair fibers.

However, this is considered one of the harmful ingredients in hair products because, when present in excess, it can cause dryness and breakage of the hair.

Therefore, people who use products with alcohol may find their hair stiff, brittle, and difficult to comb.

Furthermore, there are different types of alcohol, and the cheapest ones have less technology, so, in addition to not performing the function of transporting nutrients properly, they also dry out the hair.

Therefore, considering that there are excellent alcohol-free products, give preference to them to avoid damaging the health of your hair.

5. Petrolatums 

If your hair has ever felt heavy or limp, and washing it hasn't seemed to solve the problem, petrolatum is probably to blame.

In principle, this is not one of the harmful ingredients in hair products, as it serves to lubricate the strands, thus facilitating styling and alignment.

However, petrolatums originate from vegetable oils, and over time they accumulate in the hair, which gives the impression of heaviness and lack of movement.

Therefore, it is recommended to alternate the use of products containing petrolatum with options free of this ingredient, as this way it is possible to avoid negative effects.

It is worth mentioning that one way to resolve the damage is by using anti-residue shampoos, as these remove ingredients deposited in the hair.

Ingredient	Why avoid:
Salts	They remove water from the hair and thus cause dryness.
Parabens	When used in excess, they can cause hormonal changes and flaking.
Sulfate	It promotes aggressive cleaning, which dries out the strands and removes pigments from dyed hair.
Alcohol	Excess alcohol in the formula hinders hair treatment, in addition to leaving it dry and brittle.
Petrolatum	Because it is a cumulative ingredient, when used in excess it hinders movement and leaves the hair 'heavy'.

++Skin Cleansing: Benefits and how to do it at home – Beauty Magic Blog.

Silicone: is it really a villain for your hair?

When we talk about harmful ingredients in hair products, many people immediately expect to hear about silicone. But is this component really a villain?

The big problem with silicone is that it is occlusive, so it closes the hair scales, preventing treatments from penetrating.

However, we must look at this issue from another angle: the fact that silicone is occlusive also helps to keep water and nutrients inside the hair.

So, as long as the product is used correctly, it does not cause any harm to hair health and can even enhance treatments.

Therefore, if you want to use silicone, prioritize applying it in the finishing steps, whether in the conditioner or in the split end repairer.

This way, all treatments performed will remain in the hair until the next wash, when the silicone will be removed.

Pay attention to the pH of hair products

In addition to evaluating harmful ingredients in hair products, it is important to pay attention to the pH of the cosmetics used.

This is because products with a very high pH (above 5) leave the hair alkaline, which keeps the hair cuticles open and prone to breakage.

Furthermore, the more damaged your hair is, the more important it is to pay attention to its pH, as keeping the cuticles open will further damage the structure of the strands.

Therefore, when buying your shampoos and conditioners, pay attention to the pH described on the packaging, and if possible, only buy those that are below 4.

By following these tips, it will be much easier to keep your hair beautiful, shiny, and protected against breakage and overload.

So, now that you know the harmful ingredients, remember to check the ingredients list before each purchase.

This may interest you: How to use aloe vera on your hair and its main benefits – Beauty Magic Blog.