Many shampoos that label themselves "organic" are nothing of the kind. Unlike food products, the USDA does not have consistent regulations controlling the "organic" label on beauty products such as shampoo.

However, for the informed consumer, there are good choices out there.

Why Use Organic Shampoo?

For a horrifying look at what you're really putting on your hair, visit the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Many conventional shampoos contain synthetic chemicals (often petrochemicals) that are known irritants, allergens, or carcinogens. Some are toxic to organs or nerve cells. Still others have a history of contamination.

Unfortunately, skin, scalp, and hair absorb toxins relatively easily, and because many people use shampoo daily or every other day for their whole lives, there are serious concerns about the long-term effects of such frequent exposure to these chemicals. For example, studies have shown that methyl-, propyl-, or butylparabens, commonly used preservatives in many shampoo brands, mimic the effect of the hormone estrogen in the body. Excessive levels of estrogen have been tied to many health problems, including an increased risk of breast cancer, and in recent years, parabens have been turning up in biopsies of breast tumors.

These concerns are especially strong for infants and young children, are more susceptible to the effects of toxins, allergens, and carcinogens than adults. Despite this, products like Johnson's Baby Shampoo continue to contain chemicals like Quaternium-15, which is a known irritant, neurotoxin, and carcinogen.

Choosing an Organic Shampoo

Reading labels is the key to finding the best organic shampoo. To narrow your choices, start by choosing a few shampoos that advertise themselves as being good for your hair type. Then study the labels. Organic shampoos should be free of synthetic fragrances, artificial coloring, phthalates, and preservatives made from parabens or urea.

One of the most popular brands among experienced organic shoppers is Aubrey Organics.

Using an Organic Shampoo

Organic shampoo can be applied the same way as conventional shampoos, but you should leave it in your hair for at least a minute, as the cleaning elements of most organic shampoos are gentler and take longer to be absorbed.

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