Silicones, Parabens, and Sulfates
In the world of hair care, there is a wide range of products designed to help us keep our hair healthy, shiny, and beautiful. Nowadays, shampoos are true high-tech products that can contain up to 30 ingredients. It’s only natural that interest in shampoos without sulfates, silicones, and parabens is growing. We take a closer look at these ingredients and answer the most important questions about them. We’ll show you how to identify them and what purpose they serve in hair products.
Silicones in shampoo
Not only in shampoos, but also in conditioners, hair treatments, hairspray, and more, silicones are often used. But what exactly are silicones? Silicone is a term for a group of synthetic polymers in which silicon atoms are linked through oxygen atoms into molecular chains and/or network structures. This variety of possible compounds results in a wide range of properties that are also suitable for use in hair care products.
What do silicones do in shampoo?
Silicones are used in many conventional shampoos and conditioners to make hair smooth, sleek, and soft. They form a kind of protective film around the hair, creating a smooth surface and a silky feel. Silicones can also help reduce frizz – the uncontrolled sticking out of hair – and protect hair from heat and environmental influences. Additionally, silicones can add shine to dull hair and help detangle knots, making hair easier to comb. Silicones can also contribute to making each individual hair appear lighter and airier, as well as more elastic.
How can I recognize silicones in shampoo?
To identify silicones in shampoos or other cosmetics, you should always take a look at the list of ingredients. Many silicone compounds typically have endings like: -cone, -siloxane, or -conol. Typical representatives of this class include Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, or Dimethiconol. Dimethicone is the most commonly used silicone in hair care products.
Why should you use shampoo without silicones?
At first glance, the effects described above that silicones can achieve in shampoo & co. may sound good. So it may seem surprising when some ask: Why are silicones bad in shampoo? First of all: Silicones are generally not harmful to health.
Nevertheless, there are good reasons why you should still prefer hair care without silicones. While silicones and silicone derivatives "cover" the skin and hair and make them soft and smooth, they also seal the pores and structure, preventing valuable nutrients from penetrating. As a result, silicones can also cause hair to be less receptive to coloring. Some users also feel that silicones "weigh down" their hair and that product residues accumulate in the hair, which are difficult to wash out again.
Furthermore, silicones may not be good for the environment, as some of them are biologically difficult to break down. Additionally, they can accumulate in water, and removing them from wastewater is not easy, so they can end up in rivers or lakes. Silicones used in rinse-off cosmetic products – such as shampoo – are considered to pose the greatest environmental risk.
Therefore, it makes sense to use silicone-free shampoos, like those from lavera. Firstly, silicone-free shampoo can help smooth the hair, giving it a shiny appearance and a silky feel without weighing it down. Secondly, silicone-free shampoos tend to be more environmentally friendly because they are easily biodegradable and do not cause harmful residues. Finally, using silicone-free shampoos can also help keep hair healthier in the long run.
Do lavera shampoos contain silicones?
In certified Natural Beauty, we consciously avoid the use of silicones in our shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments. Instead, we work with natural plant oils, proteins, peptides, amino acid derivatives, and plant extracts that can be absorbed by the skin and hair. We place great importance on natural ingredients in our hair care and offer silicone-free shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments that gently cleanse and nourish the hair. Additionally, our formulas are vegan, free from microplastics, and easily biodegradable.
Tip for the switch
Be patient! When switching to silicone-free shampoo, your hair may look a bit stressed at first; the adjustment takes some time.
What do sulfates do in hair care?
Sulfates are a subgroup of surfactants. Surfactants give a shampoo its cleansing properties. Their primary purpose is to remove oily dirt and grease from the hair. Surfactants work through their unique structure, which allows them to make oils and fats soluble in water. Dirt particles, such as styling residues, thus become water-soluble and are removed from the hair when rinsed with water. Additionally, sulfates are highly water-soluble. They also help the shampoo to foam well and spread easily.
But be careful: sulfates have a strong cleansing effect, which can dry out the skin and hair. This can cause the hair to feel dry and the scalp to become dry. That is why you should not use shampoos with sulfates daily.
How can I recognize sulfates in shampoo?
To identify sulfates in shampoos, you should also take a look at the ingredient list of your hair care products. Common sulfates include "Sodium Lauryl Sulfate" (SLS), "Sodium Laureth Sulfate" (SLES), or "Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate" (ALS).
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate harmful to hair?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant used in many shampoos or conditioners to remove oily dirt and grease from the hair. It is closely related to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and has similar cleansing properties. Although SLES is considered a milder surfactant than SLS, it can cause dryness of the scalp in some people. When choosing the right shampoo, it is always important to consider the individual needs and reactions of your own hair type.
Mild sulfates: The better choice
In conventional cosmetics, sulfates such as SLS and SLES are mainly used, which have strong cleansing power, produce a lot of foam, and are especially cost-effective. However, these can irritate and dry out the skin, and there are concerns regarding the environment. In Natural Beauty, milder sulfates are used instead, which are more environmentally friendly and gentler on the skin. They are usually somewhat more expensive because they are derived from plant sources, and the extraction process is often more complex and costly.
Is lavera shampoo sulfate-free?
lavera uses surfactants or sulfates that are mild, readily biodegradable, and well tolerated. They are based on renewable raw materials and represent a more environmentally friendly and skin-compatible alternative to harsher, synthetic surfactants. Our natural alternatives include sulfate surfactants (e.g., Sodium Coco-Sulfate (SCS)), which are derived from coconut oil and serve as an alternative to SLS or SLES. Other alternatives to synthetic surfactants that we use include sugar surfactants (e.g., Decyl Glucoside) or betaines (e.g., Cocamidopropyl Betaine).
What do parabens do in shampoo?
Parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetic products, including shampoos. They help to extend the shelf life of the products by preventing the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi.
How can I recognize parabens in shampoo?
To find out if they are included in a shampoo, you should take a look at the list of ingredients. You can easily recognize them by the ending “-paraben”. For example, names like "Methylparaben," "Propylparaben," or "Butylparaben" may appear there.
Why is shampoo without parabens better?
Parabens are considered the preservative with the lowest allergenic potential, but they are still substances that some people can be allergic to. Butyl and propylparaben are also suspected of potentially affecting the hormonal system. (Reassessment of parabens by the European Commission SCCS). This means parabens can mimic the effects of hormones like estrogen in the human body and thus disrupt the hormonal balance. Although the scientific consensus is not yet final, many people prefer shampoos without parabens out of caution. In certified Natural Beauty – like those from lavera – no parabens are allowed to be used.
Benefits of shampoos without silicones and parabens
Choosing shampoo without silicones and parabens can bring various benefits: If your shampoo is paraben-free, you can reduce potential health concerns. As a natural alternative to parabens, we at lavera use essential oils, for example. Silicone-free shampoo gives you a smooth and silky hair feel. At lavera, this is achieved through the use of plant oils such as argan oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, proteins (e.g., pea proteins), plant-based care substances like guar gum (INCI: Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride) or rapeseed oil (INCI: PCA Glyceryl Oleate).
Avoiding silicones is not only better for your hair but also better for the environment. Sulfates or surfactants are essential for the cleansing effect of shampoos. However, mild surfactants are a better choice because they are more environmentally friendly and gentler on the skin. lavera uses natural alternatives such as sulfate surfactants, sugar surfactants, or betaines. Our lavera shampoos, hair treatments, and conditioners are silicone-free, paraben-free, and contain mild surfactants.
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