2008 Archives: A’Kin Australian: Organic, Synthetic-Free Hair Care
There have long been whispers about the sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), parabens and synthetic fragrances found in most conventional shampoos. The harsh cleansing agents strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture, then re-surface the hair shaft with chemical coating agents like silicone or polymers to replace lost shine and body. Over time, these coating agents build up and reduce the effectiveness of the sudsors, leading to the “wash, rinse, repeat” scenario and the dull, dry locks that are the bane of our existence.
But the world is starting to wake up to the reality that the petrochemically-derived ingredients in hair care products are totally, unequivocally, completely unnecessary. It’s just as easy to get a great shampoo with botanically based ingredients: Any manufacturer who tells you different is trying to make an extra buck by buying their sudsors on the cheap.
And in our humble and totally unscientific opinion, the EcoStilettoistas who’ve been eschewing sulfates, ethoxylates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemical cleansers, silicones, phthalates, mineral oils, DEA and artificial colors in their products for some time seem to have hair that looks, well, better. Shinier. Healthier. Fuller.
Luckily you don’t have to carry around a checklist of “nos” when on the hunt for your next synthetic-free shampoo. Look for those that use certified organic ingredients wherever possible and are formulated without animal ingredients or animal testing, like the vegan hair, skin and body range from A’kin. Based in Australia, where they know from sustainability, their shampoos are hypoallergenic enough to be used on the allergy-prone as well as your baby, whose ‘do might be looking a little dim these days.
