Shampoo Buying Guide
After a long hard day of work or play, quite a lot of things get built-up in our hair. Anything from dirt to oil to skin particles to dandruff to pollutants, we don't want it there at the end of the day. Shampoo 
is the ideal product for getting rid of all those contaminants and better still, it can also make our hair even healthier.
What to Consider
- What your hair type is determines what kind of shampoo you should be using. Whether it is treated or natural, specific hair type targeted shampoos can enhance and strengthen your hair.
- Look at the label for ingredients that may be damaging or for possible allergens.
- Depending on your budget, a shampoo can be purchased very cheaply or very expensively. All shampoos cleanse the hair, but if your hair is especially damaged, you might want to invest in a more expensive and reliable brand.
Choosing a Shampoo For Your Hair Type
Which Shampoo Ingredients Do and Do Not Work
Ingredients that work
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate is similar to detergent and is what cleans the hair.
- Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride smoothes hair and gives volume.
- Dimethicone coats the hair so it is manageable and soft.
Ingredients that don't work
- Protein only has benefits when taken directly into the body, not when used on hair.
- Vitamins and provitamins have no effect in terms of hair care.
- Botanical extracts are only used to make the product smell nice.
- Fruit acids provide no benefits.
- Antioxidants provide no benefits.
- Designer water does the same job as normal shower water.
- Humectants are, in fact, removed from the hair by the shampoo detergent that cleans the hair.
Specialised Shampoos
- Dandruff Shampoos contain fungicides that will reduce and kill dander.
- All Natural Shampoos claim to have fewer sulphate ingredients and are therefore gentler on the hair. But the results on how well the shampoo works are disputed.
- Baby Shampoos are less irritating because they are either diluted, have adjusted pH levels, or use surfactants, which are less harmful than other ingredients.
- Solid Shampoos are made from surfactants. They are less wasteful but inconvenient to use, as solid soap needs to be melted first.
- Gel Shampoos are made by increasing the viscosity of shampoo. Gels applied via squeeze jars.
- Paste/Cream Shampoos are easy to apply and can be dissolved very quickly. But they are normally stored in a jar and therefore can easily be contaminated.
- Dry Shampoos use powders, such as talc, which absorb the excess sebum in the hair. The hair is then brushed out, but will not look as clean as washed hair.
Quick Picks
Popular Shampoo Brands
Related Guides and Products
External Links
- About.com: Shampoo ingredients that work.
- Aabout.com: How to pick shampoos and conditioners.
- About.com: Before you buy shampoo, things to consider.
