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Why are sulphates in your shampoo such a big deal?

I’ve never really bothered looking at the ingredients on my shampoo bottle, and I usually just grab one off the shelf at the supermarket. But I have dry hair and I highlight regularly and I realised that I need to make a plan – my hair has become so dry and damaged and it looks and feels strawy. I always thought that conditioners and treatments were more important than the shampoo. They are just to clean, right? The cleaner, the better. As long as I take one that’s designed for dry/damaged hair, I’m sorted?

Ehh… no!

I’ve heard many people talking about how bad sulphates are for your hair and I know that most salon brands are sulphate free. So why are they bad?

Putting it VERY simply: sulphates acts as a cleaning agent that dissolves grease and dirt and it boosts foam.

Are 'paint stripper' chemicals in shampoo destroying your hair? - The Daily Mail
Are ‘paint stripper’ chemicals in shampoo destroying your hair? – The Daily Mail

‘A sulphate is a salt of sulphuric acid (gypsum, or plaster of Paris, is probably the best-known example). With shampoo, two particular sulphates are commonly used: sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES)’ – The Daily Mail

The problem is that they can actually ‘over clean’ and strip your hair. This is especially bad for me since my hair is already dry, I have it chemically treated and I wash my hair every day. Yes, I know it’s bad, but I just cannot style these curls if I don’t. I am also experimenting with washing just with water a couple of times a week, but that’s for another post.

I still haven’t made complete peace with the fact that my face wash doesn’t have to make millions of bubbles to be effective. And now I have to believe that a shampoo that doesn’t do the same can actually clean my hair just as effectively?

I am now on a mission to find affordable sulphate free shampoos and give them a go.

According to The Daily Mail this is what I should look out for when reading the label: look for the words ‘sulphate-free’ on the packaging. This will mean that the product is free from sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate, no matter what other sulphates appear as an ingredient.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

If you have any recommendations, please let me know.

xoxo

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April Favourites

Better late than never!!

Here are a couple of recent discoveries and launches that I adore :)

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Charlene sent me the Jean baré Moisture Balancing Cream for Normal/Dry skin and it has been a lifesaver! My skin tends to be very oily during the hotter months and when the seasons change, my skin doesn’t know whether it’s oily, dry or a combination of the two. My skin also gets very sensitive this time of year and this moisturiser was just what the doctor ordered. With the utmost respect to the brand, my best description for this cream, is plain and simple. It does the job of moisturising my skin without leaving it feeling ‘over nourished’. It also calms my skin when it’s having a bad day. It definitely does the job it has been created to do. Thanks again Charlene! This product reatils for ZAR108 for 30ml and it is available from salons that stock Jean baré.

Clicks had a 3 for 2 special on Pantene products a couple of weeks ago and I decided to give the Pantene 2 Minutes Intensive Moisturizing Mask a try. I love it! It smells beautiful and you need only a tiny bit of this mask to give you soft, smooth and shiny hair. It is very affordable at only ZAR66 a pot.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss is now my favourite of all the variants that I’ve tried. I mentioned in my original Baby Lips post that I am not a fan of tinted lip balms, but that is because most have a pink or red tint. Peach Kiss has a lovely nude tint and a light peach scent. ZAR30.

I am really struggling with my hair at the moment as the last highlighting session left my hair very dry. So when I spot a product that says ‘for overstressed, strawy hair’ it has to go into the shopping basket. The Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Oil Elixir Serum aims to nourish to reinforce the hair structure and reduce hair breakage. I can’t comment on that yet, but what I can say is that my hair feels a bit softer and it is easier to manage when I use this. I love the way my hair shines when I use it… look at the gold particles shine in direct sunlight:

Pretty, hey?
Pretty, hey?

The Dove Shea Butter beauty bar has knocked the original from top spot in my books. Best soap bar EVER! ZAR9.

Last but not least is the new Essence Big Bright Eyes jumbo pencil. The brand sent me the matte nude as I was curious to see if we finally have an affordable nude pencil to line the waterline with. The Beauty Assistant did a great post on this pencil. I’m on the fence about lining the waterline with this one though. But I think for me it’s more a case of ‘if it’s too bright, you’re too old’. That’s my issue. BUT I still use this pencil every day as it is PERFECT to highlight the inner corner of the eye. Because it is matte, the effect is a lot more subtle than is the case when you highlight the inner corner with a shimmer product. I love it! It has a very creamy texture and applies beautifully. I was also pleasantly surprised by the staying power.  At only ZAR30 it’s definitely is worth a try.

xoxo