You might think shampoo has one job — clean your scalp and rid it of dirt, oil, and debris — and that all shampoos do their job well. Sadly, that isn’t always the case. And, perhaps surprisingly, the amount of money you splurge on your shampoo may not always guarantee that you’re getting the best product that contains only high-quality ingredients designed to nourish your scalp and hair. Shampoos made with inferior ingredients can be found at all price points. And some of these ingredients aren’t just drying or potentially irritating, they can actually make a thinning hair problem worse. Before you buy another bottle of shampoo or conditioner, Dr. Enrizza Factor, dermatologist at My Eczema Team, points out seven shampoo ingredients that can wreak havoc on thinning hair. The sooner you know what to be on the lookout for, the faster you can finally find a shampoo that IS everything it claims to be — mainly, a product that promotes your healthiest hair yet.
Sulfates & Sodium Chloride
It’s long been suggested that both sulfates (cleansing agents) and formaldehyde (a preservative) can contribute to hair loss, according to Dr. Factor. But while you are avoiding these, there’s another “S” ingredient that may not be on your radar: sodium chloride. “Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is used in shampoo and conditioner as a thickening agent,” Dr. Factor said. “It is what creates that rich and creamy feel to most self-care products.” Unfortunately, this ingredient can also dry out your scalp, and if your hair is already thinning, it can make matters worse.
Parabens
“Parabens can cause a number of problems for your hair including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your color, and even hair loss,” Dr. Factor explained. “Since they are generally unsafe, it is best to avoid parabens until proven otherwise.”
Diethanolamine
“Ingredients like DEA and TEA are linked to similar problems,” Dr. Factor said. “DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) are ethanolamine compounds that create a thick lather and balance the pH of shampoo. Unfortunately, they often cause scalp irritation which can lead to hair thinning.”
Alcohols
Similar to how alcohol in skincare can dry out your skin, propanol and isopropanol (both of which are alcohol and can be found in several shampoos) are common shampoo ingredients that cause hair loss, Dr. Factor says. “They can leave your hair limp and brittle.”
Propylene Glycol
“Propylene glycol does not hold an inherent health risk; rather, it is a harsh chemical that causes hair loss, scalp irritation, and itchiness by removing your hair’s natural oils,” Dr. Factor said. “It may even damage your hair’s cell structure, making your hair look brittle and unhealthy.
Silicones
Last but not least: silicones are the shampoo ingredient that pose as positives by creating shine and gloss, but can actually suffocate your scalp and prevent it from getting the nourishment it needs. “Silicones in shampoo can also cause hair loss by coating the scalp so that nutrients cannot be absorbed,” Dr. Factor said.
The next time you go shampoo shopping, glance at the ingredients list to find a pick that is free from these ingredients so that your hair — whether it’s thinning or not — benefits from quality ingredients.
