Sulfate
One of the worst shampoo ingredients for hair loss is sulfate. According to Erum Ilyas, dermatologist at
Montgomery Dermatology, "Ingredients in shampoos that can lead to a higher risk of hair breakage and possible loss are ones that strip the hair of its natural oils, surfactants in particular. The one most hear about tends to be sodium laureth sulfate."
If you are struggling with hair loss, check your shampoo for sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium Chloride
If you have a sensitive scalp, sodium chloride can make your scalp dry and itchy. This in turn can lead to hair damage and breakage.
With that in mind, if your shampoo contains sodium chloride, that can be a contributing factor to your hair loss struggles.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is another shampoo ingredient you should stay away from. Although a common ingredient in many skincare products, it has been linked to cancer and major skin reactions (including hair loss).
Despite being banned in many countries, it is still found in US products under a variety of names, including ormaldehyde, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal. If any of these are listed on your shampoo bottle, it's time to find a replacement.
Sticking to shampoos with natural ingredients is a good start to making sure your shampoo is not the culprit behind your hair loss. If you love your current non-natural shampoo, double check the ingredients for any of these because they may be hurting the health of your hair and causing unnecessary shedding.