Making any change to your beauty regime can be a little daunting. If you’ve used the same product/s or the same brand or the same regime of products for a long time, you’re not sure what to expect and even more so if you’re switching from mainstream products to natural products.
Bottom line is to start slowly replacing one or two products and see how you go before replacing more of your mainstream products for healthier ones.
Switching to natural shampoo is a great way to start as it will make your scalp happy and your hair look healthier with more bounce and shine – and you may wish you’d made the switch sooner.
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THE SWITCH
One of the benefits of natural shampoo is that you can identify most of the ingredients and therefore can be more comfortable about what you and your family are absorbing on a daily basis. Conventional shampoo ingredients help rid your hair of dirt and oils, but as they contain ingredients to help lather like sulphates and artificial fragrances that smell amazing but they can both strip your hair and scalp of natural oils leading to a condition whereby the hair seems to need washing more frequently but you have a dry, itchy and sensitive scalp and dehydrated, stressed hair.
What You Can Expect
The main difference you’ll notice about natural shampoo is that it doesn’t lather up the same way your old shampoo did, since those chemical foaming agents aren’t there. This doesn’t mean it’s not getting your hair clean, or that you need to use more shampoo than usual. Instead, adding a little water after you’ve started applying your natural shampoo can help create a lather. You can even dilute it in advance by combining water and shampoo together in a spare bottle, making it easier to use quickly.
It’s also helpful to actually repeat again after you rinse. When I first made the switch to a natural shampoo, I took the time to read the bottle and noticed that it suggested shampooing your hair twice. The second washing often lathers more than the first.
It can take a few washes for your scalp to adjust when switching to a natural shampoo. In the beginning, it may feel like your hair is oilier and heavier than normal. One important trick is to make sure you rinse your hair well, as any residual shampoo can make your hair feel heavier. After a few washes, however, your scalp will adjust and you’ll probably find, like I did, that your hair’s texture is more well-balanced with less oil at the roots and healthier, moist tips. You may even notice your hair is fuller with more bounce, and some people may experience better hair growth as a result of switching.
What to Look For
Reading labels is important when switching to natural shampoo. Look for products that are made from natural or naturally derived ingredients ie. they are made from things found in nature like coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil.
It does take time and effort to investigate ingredients and many naturally derived ingredients can also sound like a chemical cocktail so to keep it simple, just identify products that are free of nasties like parabens, sulphates and phthalates as well as artificial fragrance (which contains many unidentified toxic ingredients).
These days there are so many great options for natural hair care so take your time and try a few different brands of natural shampoos until you find the right fit for you, It might take a little getting used to natural shampoo, but don’t be quick to give up. In the end, your hair could feel cleaner and healthier than it ever has before.
Why It’s Good
Switching to natural shampoo is a healthier option and a great start if you’re trying to reduce the toxins that you and your family use on a daily basis.
It can take a little getting used to, but it’s worth it when your scalp is calm and your hair becomes softer, shinier and healthier.
Have you made the switch to natural shampoo? Tell us about your experience.
