Shampoo is a hair care product that contains various ingredients such as detergents, conditioners, thickeners, sequestering agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, and specialty additives
. The basic formulation of ingredients and their functions for all standard shampoos are listed in Figure 1
. Shampoos usually contain synthetic detergents or surfactants as primary cleansers
. Some common surfactants include ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium trideth sulfate
. Hair conditioners are designed to improve hair manageability, decrease hair static electricity, and add luster
. Some common ingredients in shampoo include emollients, which help balance the effects of surfactants and include aloe vera, vegetable oils, and mineral oils
. Natural ingredients such as organic green tea, aloe, chamomile, coconut oil, organic honey, bergamot essential oils, olive, organic hemp, root extracts, fruit extracts, and essential oils are gentler on the hair and scalp, as they don’t strip the hair cuticles while cleansing
. Some negative aspects of shampoo ingredients include the use of parabens, which are preservatives that prevent bacteria formation and can be harmful to some people
. It is important to check the ingredients list before buying a shampoo to ensure that it is suitable for your hair type and needs.
