SLS... The good the bad and the Ugly

SLS {sodium laurel sulfate}

An ingredient derived from the coconut. It is used as a detergent in soaps, and shampoos. It cleanses and removes oil and dirt the exact way you would expect a shampoo or soap to do for you.
It's gotten a bit of a bad rap over the past few years. Companies boasting "SLS Free" shampoo came out and said that SLS was a harsh chemical and that it was abrasive and dangererous. No doubt hoping to drive people to buy their product free of such "toxic" chemicals.

So you may be wondering, why would a natural company use such a "harmful" indgredient?
Simple.
SLS is natural, safe, and nothing produces  better sudsing action then SLS. When it comes to a great shampoo you want a nice lather right? {right!}

Now before you go on believeing that all SLS is great and wonderful you should know that there is a difference. Some SLS {derived from the coconut} is processed in a way that becomes contaminated with 1,4 dioxane. That is a carcinogenic that can be irritating to the skin.

We ONLY use SLS certified to be free of 1,4 dioxane. Shampoo should work, but it should also be safe.
 

 So there is no need to blindly fear SLS, we have been using it for 10 years and still find it mild and nonabrasive. (*for most people without coconut sensitivities)  All surfactants (ingredients that clean) remove oil barriers, that is how they clean away dirt and grime. The idea is to clean and then moisutrize. We recommend conditioning your hair after washing to restore good oils and to moisturize  the hair and scalp. Just be educated about the real dangers out there and knowing which products are safe to use.

Oily Hair?

Ok let's take a moment and talk hair. Say it with me now...

What do we want???

Shiny healthy hair!!

How do we get it?

{cricket cricket}

Oh you don't have an answer? Perhaps greasy oily hair is how you get your "shine" on.
Well let's change that!
Did you know that over washing your hair leads to oily hair?
That's right it is a vicious cycle...
Wash your hair because it it greasy when it is greasy because you wash your hair.
How do you stop this never ending cycle of hair torment?
Take control of your hair! Stop washing it. You don't have to stop showering to stop washing your hair.
You can get it wet, you can use conditioner even, just lay off the shampoo for a while.
If you shampoo every day currently
Start by washing only every other day
Yes you will say things like "my hair is too greasy I can't go on!"
But you can, and you will.
Then try once every 3 days. (crazy? no for real. Your hair will thank you)
That is really all it takes.
Another super tip (and a product plug cause that how we roll around here)
Use a shampoo bar!
Unlike most shampoos that have alcohols in them that strip your hair of natural oils and leave your scalp to over produce oils... another vicious cycle.
Shampoo bars don't have alcohols, only natural ingredients that feed your scalp, protect your hair and help keep the balance. Who wouldn't want balance?
So all together this time...

What do we want??

Shiny healthy hair!

How do we get it??

Use a shampoo bar! (and wash less often)