"Rinse, Lather, Repeat!"

Rinse, Lather, Repeat! From childhood, we're taught that the more suds our shampoo produces, the cleaner our hair will be. But new reports suggest that the ingredient that creates all of those fun little bubbles might actually be doing more harm than good!

SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, can be found in almost every shampoo bottle on the shelves, but this additive has been linked to multiple health risks and other problems! SLS irritates the skin, even if left on for short amounts of time, while allowing environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, more sensitive layers of skin. And because it cannot be metabolized by the liver, its effects can be much longer lasting. Studies show that .5% SLS in shampoos can lead to irritation while 10-13% can cause skin corrosion and severe irritation. Most conventional shampoos contain 15%! (But the effects are not noticed as quickly because shampoo is not left on long and can be diluted by water.)

Other complaints sent to the FDA concerning conventional shampoos include: Eye irritation, scalp irritation, swelling of the hands, face, and arms, as well as split and fuzzy hair. The reason SLS is so powerful? Sulfates were originally used as industrial cleaners to remove oil stains in cement. In the diluted doses, it is designed to dissolve oils on skin and can create a drying effect; which can lead to irritation and damaged hair. Our shelves boast numerous SLS-Free products! "Aubrey Organics", "Giovanni", "Jason's", "Nature's Gate", "Avalon Organics", just to name a few are all SLS-Free!

So next time you think "Rinse, Lather, Repeat", remember that suds aren't everything!