Alice Vol. 5 No. 1

Hair Ingredients
By Katie Nethery
So, how do you avoid all these harmful ingredients?
The best way is to do your research and read labels.
Whenever you’re shopping, make sure to turn the
bottle around and keep an eye out for these ingredients.
Opting for a more natural product will not only be
better for you, but it can last longer, too.
We all have those days where our hair doesn’t look
or feel its best. There are millions of hair products on
the market from treatment masks, deep conditioners
and oils, but do these products actually help or hurt our
hair?
Next time you go to reach for your favorite leave
in conditioning spray, turn it around and read the
ingredients list. Chances are, if you can’t read the names
of the ingredients, they’re hurting instead of helping.
Ingredients that can hurt your hair are parabens,
glycols, silicone, sulfates, alcohol, and heavy perfumes.
Alcohol & Sulfates:
Glycols & Parabens:
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Parabens are used to prolong shelf life, but can possibly
contribute to breast cancer according to certain studies.
Cyclosiloxanes have also gained attention for links to
breast cancer and endocrine system disruption.
Perfumes:
Natural oils such as coconut, avocado, jojoba, and
argan help to strengthen the hair and nourish the scalp.
It might sound contradicting, but they can also help to
reduce oil buildup at the root. By reducing breakage,
your hair will feel thicker and look stronger. You can
also use essential oils in your everyday hair routine as
well.
Almond and rosemary oils help to soothe,
moisturize, and increase circulation to the scalp;
cedarwood and jojoba oils stimulate the scalp for hair
growth; chamomile, coconut, and argan oils nourish,
add shine and softness.
Next time you’re reaching for your go-to hair
products, stop and consider a more natural alternative.
Steering clear of harmful ingredients will keep your
hair happy and healthy, while making you feel more
confident.
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Look out for products that claim to be deep
cleaning or purifying.
Can strip your hair of its natural oils leading to
dry and brittle hair.
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Heavy perfumes in shampoos and conditioners can
actually irritate the scalp and leave you begging for
relief.
Can make your hair dry, your scalp itchy, or even burn
your scalp.
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Will cause your scalp to overproduce protective
oils which is why you can go from fresh, clean hair
at night, to a greasy mess in the morning.
16 Alice Winter 2020
Alice Winter 2020 17