Shampoo has been around for decades. Some people use it daily, while others don’t use it at all. But what exactly is this foamy substance? In the world of shampoo, there are so many different promises, but what’s true? And what works best for your hair?
Today, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about shampoo. And we mean everything.
In this blog, we will cover the following topics:
- History of shampoo
- How shampoo works
- Ingredients in shampoo
- Ingredients in shampoo to avoid
- Never wash your hair again?
- The promises of shampoo
- The ideal care for curls
- The ideal care for dry or frizzy hair
- The ideal care for colored hair
History of shampoo
Until 1930, regular soap was used to wash hair. The combination of hard water and strong soap caused irritation to the scalp. Additionally, there was always some soap residue left, making hair dull and lifeless. Not the best care, really.
That changed in 1930. The first synthetic soaps were developed. These shampoos were very different from what we know today. They were solely for cleaning hair; the conditioning came much later. These shampoos did nothing more than remove sebum, sweat, and other dirt from the scalp. It does what you expect, but a major downside was that you ended up looking like a scarecrow. Your hair gets clean, but also dull, stiff, and impossible to style.
And we women didn’t agree with that. After all, we all want clean, shiny, and voluminous hair. Fortunately, shampoo manufacturers understood this. Nowadays, there’s a shampoo, conditioner, or complete care line for every hair type, so we no longer have to walk around looking like scarecrows.
How shampoo works
A thin layer of oil surrounds your hair, giving it shine and protecting it from potentially harmful external influences. When you blow-dry, curl, or dye your hair frequently, you damage this layer. That’s why your hair eventually looks dull and dry. You want to maintain or possibly replenish this layer.
A good shampoo helps prevent this damage. It removes dirt without irritating the scalp. It should not damage the oil layer around the hair. If it does, it’s its job to restore it. A good shampoo strengthens your own hair.
Ingredients in shampoo
Shampoo contains cleansing agents that – you guessed it – remove dirt and oil from the scalp and hair. Shampoos that you can use every day contain harsher substances than those for colored hair, which are much milder. Always choose a shampoo that suits your own hair. Especially anti-dandruff shampoos can irritate the scalp significantly due to the amount of cleansing agents they contain.
Tip: apply the shampoo to your scalp and only wash the hair itself when rinsing. This way, you minimize the risk of damaging the protective layer on your hair.
In addition to cleansing agents, shampoos also contain foaming agents. Do these really do anything? Unfortunately, no. They make the shampoo foam, giving us the feeling that we’re doing a good job. But the foaming agents do nothing for the cleaning of the hair.
With the many ingredients in a shampoo, there are also substances you’d like to avoid. We’ve listed the most common ones for you.
Ingredients in shampoo to avoid
Sulfates
Unfortunately, sulfates can be found in many shampoos. They are added to many shampoos to remove dirt and make the shampoo foam. But in addition to dirt, sulfates also strip the natural oils from your scalp. It can be very aggressive, making your hair dry and brittle. In fact, sulfates are also used to degrease car engines. Not suitable for our beautiful locks, then. The shampoos from OGX are completely free of chemical substances, highly recommended.
Silicones
Silicones coat your hair, making it look healthier in the short term. But in the long term, they don’t do your long locks any favors. It’s important to know that there are two types: water-soluble and non-water-soluble. The first type can be washed out with water and is less harmful than the other type. Non-water-soluble silicones can only be washed out with a shampoo that contains sulfates. And we just learned that those are disastrous for your beautiful hair.
Phthalates
This substance is common in shampoo and other cosmetics because it stabilizes scent and color. It’s often hidden under the name ‘fragrance’. And as innocent as that sounds, it’s not. Phthalates can even throw your hormonal balance completely off. Fortunately, the two most common types of phthalates are already banned. But it’s still good to keep an eye on this.
Tip: try the delightful, natural, and exotic shampoos from Maui...
Mineral oil
This oil is often found in conditioner, but it can also be hidden in a shampoo. It makes your hair shine like never before. How? Mineral oil helps your hair retain moisture and thus creates a layer on your hair. This layer makes your hair appear thicker and fuller, but actually prevents your hair from absorbing nourishing ingredients or oxygen. To remove this oil from your hair, you need – yes, you guessed it – sulfates. And we don’t want that!
Some ingredients make your hair look fuller, but they actually prevent your hair from absorbing nourishing ingredients. Stay far away from these!
Never wash your hair again?
With all the new shampoos on the market, unfortunately, there are also some bad ones. Some shampoos are packed with strong degreasing products that do your hair and scalp no good. These shampoos can even cause the sebum production to go into overdrive, making your hair greasy faster. They damage the oil layer that gives your hair its natural shine.
What is sebum?
Sebum is the substance that is naturally produced when your body thinks your hair can’t grow well. This happens when your hair is completely clean and free of sebum. By washing too often, you create a deficiency of sebum for your body, which then produces it much faster because it thinks there’s ‘not enough present’.
It’s now clear that you shouldn’t cleanse your hair too aggressively. If your hair has been accidentally damaged, you can try to restore it with care products. But prevention is better than cure. A direct result? Stop washing!
Not washing your hair anymore
By not washing your hair at all, the protective layer won’t be damaged immediately. Additionally, when you stop washing, sebum production decreases, and your hair won’t get greasy anymore. Sounds perfect, right? There is, however, an important ‘but’ in this process.
Oil production only decreases when your hair is already quite greasy. However, this varies from person to person. It can depend on the weather, the speed at which you normally produce oil, or the length of your hair. For most people, stopping shampoo means that the hair quickly becomes greasy and heavy again. Eventually, your hair will start to cleanse itself, but this can take a long time.
Did you know that the ends of long hair are about three to four years old? A mistake in care can therefore be visible for a very long time; until you cut it off.
Our advice
If you decide to wash it in between, your oil production will kick back into gear in no time. Just until it feels as ‘greasy’ as before. For some, it’s not feasible to completely stop using shampoo, no matter how ideal it sounds.
Our advice? Since oil production varies from person to person, there is no ideal frequency for washing your hair. But you can train your scalp! Washing two to three times is a nice average. Washing too often or too little can both seriously hinder your hair.
The promises of shampoo
Basically, every shampoo does the same thing: it cleans your hair. But with the growing range available on the market today, the promises are also increasing. Gray hair, thin hair, everything could be solved with the right shampoo. What’s true and what’s not? Here are the most common promises and the explanations.
‘’Salon shampoos are better than drugstore ones’’
Not necessarily. You can assume that salon shampoos are of good quality in almost all cases. Plus, you get a bit of service from a real expert, so you’re generally in good hands. There are also good options among drugstore shampoos, but not all of them are. Take the time to read the ingredients and examine your own hair closely. If you do that, you can also find a great shampoo at the drugstore.
'’A fuller mane with keratin’’
This is true. Keratin protects your hair, making it less likely to break. What’s good to know is that people who suffer from hair loss are actually experiencing hair breakage. This can happen due to excessive combing, brushing, or styling. By using keratin in your shampoo, you can help prevent breakage, ultimately making your hair thicker and fuller.
Tip: Hask has a keratin line. Hello big hair!
‘’With vitamins and minerals to make your hair healthier’’
Your hair is completely dead. Not just the ends, but the entire strand. Say what? Hair is dead material and therefore cannot repair itself. What it can do is create a layer of oil as a protective barrier, making it shine and look healthier. You should always try to maintain this layer to protect your hair as best as possible. Unfortunately, dead material cannot absorb vitamins and minerals.
The ideal care for curls
Curls are beautiful but require proper care. Without the right products, your curls will never look their best.
Shampoo for curls
You’ll notice that your hair is drier than others. Sulfates, parabens, and certain alcohols dry out your hair. In particular, sulfates strip the natural oils from your hair, causing it to lose its shape. You want to keep these far away from your beautiful curls. Opt for a shampoo with natural ingredients and as few added ingredients as possible. Like this one from Maui. They have a whole line for curls, made with tropical ingredients. You want this!
Avoid silicones
Some shampoos contain silicones that make your hair shine. Sounds great, right? But nothing could be further from the truth. Silicones create a layer around your hair that makes it look healthier in the short term. But in the long run, they do not benefit your long locks. When used frequently, silicones can build up. A thick layer forms over your hair, making it heavy and preventing the good substances from being absorbed. Stay far away from these.
Hair mask for curls
After using a shampoo, it’s important to use the right care for your curls. Again, pay attention to ingredients and especially avoid silicones. When you use shampoo, your hair will always become a bit drier. After all, the oil and sebum are removed. Therefore, use a nourishing mask or the right conditioner for proper care. Here you can find our favorite hair masks. A moisturizing product ensures that your hair shines again. Let it sit for a while in the shower and rinse it out gently.
Letting curly hair dry
Try not to rub your hair dry, but squeeze it with the towel. As if you’re kneading the curls back in. This way, your curls retain their shape and you remove all the excess water and conditioner that your hair can no longer absorb. Want to brush your hair afterward? Be careful, wet hair breaks much more easily. You can use a tangle teezer or go through it with your fingers to prevent this as much as possible. But the best option is to avoid brushing it when it’s wet.
Leave-in conditioner
A real lifesaver for curls is a leave-in conditioner after washing. Again, pay attention to the ingredients, still absolutely no silicones! Apply a small amount to your hair after washing and see what effect it has. Too much leave-in causes frizz, and that’s what we want to avoid. So pay attention to what your hair needs.
Your hair is naturally dead, but with the right products, you can make it shine and still keep it healthy!
Tips and tricks for curly hair
- Do you have very dry hair? Coconut oil to the rescue! Or this lovely coconut mask from Maui. Massage half a tablespoon into your hair, wrap it in a towel, and let it sit for about three-quarters of an hour. Rinse it out and hello silky soft locks.
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase to minimize damage to your hair. A cotton pillowcase can cause your hair to frizz.
- Never sleep with wet hair.
The ideal care for dry or frizzy hair
Everyone wants shiny, thick, wavy hair. But for many, dry hair or split ends is the reality. Fortunately, this can still be resolved with a few tips.
This is dry hair
To start, it’s helpful to understand where dry hair comes from. Dry hair occurs when there’s an imbalance in moisture levels. This can happen in various ways. Think about washing your hair too often, dry air, coloring your hair too frequently, or simply bad luck due to genetics. The layer of oil that sits over your hair is damaged as a result. Moreover, the cuticles of the hair are open, making it look dry.
Healthy hair doesn’t come in a day. Of course, it’s easier for some than for others, but you also have an influence on it. Put some time into it; every hair can be saved. Restoring the moisture balance is the key to success.
Shampoo for dry or frizzy hair
Wash your hair carefully and definitely not too often. Use a shampoo without synthetic substances and without silicones. The ingredients can do more harm than good to your hair. Opt for a special shampoo for dry hair, which provides ultimate nourishment and care.
Tip: rinse your hair with cold water afterwards to help close the cuticles.
Healthy lifestyle
Dry hair can also be a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. If you are dieting heavily or not eating a varied diet, your hair may miss out on nutrients. And you'll definitely notice that. Nourish your hair from the inside by drinking enough water and eating healthily. But relaxation, exercise, and sleep also have an impact. Another reason to be extra kind to yourself.
Hair mask for dry hair
A natural hair mask can help combat split or dry ends. Again, a good mask should not contain synthetic ingredients or silicones. We recommend the hair mask from Maui. By using a hair mask regularly, your hair gets a boost.
Avoid heat sources
Do you often use a hairdryer, curling iron, or straightener? Try to minimize this. Using heat essentially burns the moisture out of your hair. And that leads to a dull appearance. If you still want to use a heat tool, always use a heat protector. This provides a protective layer around the hair, making it harder for moisture to escape. For example, try this 5-in-1 conditioner from Hask. It protects and cares for your hair.
Visit the hairdresser
If none of this helps, consider visiting the hairdresser. They have a special technique to remove all split ends and prevent them from splitting further. It's a good idea to trim the ends of your hair every few weeks, split ends or not.
The best care for colored hair
A new, fresh color in your hair is wonderful! But this new color also needs proper care. The dye can damage the outer layer of the hair. The more often you dye it, the greater the damage. To prevent your hair from looking dull, there are a few tips you can use.
Wash colored hair as little as possible
Just like any other hair type, it's best to wash your hair as little as possible. When you wash your hair, you not only wash away dirt but also the dye. Chlorine in the water is also not good for the dye. That's really a shame. Wash your hair about three times a week; that's more than enough. Afterwards, use this Argan Oil conditioner from Hask for optimal care.
Shampoo for colored hair
Less (shampoo) is more (color). Simply put, shampoo is a color loser. A color shampoo contains pigments that can give your hair a boost. These align with your hair color and help maintain the color much longer than if you don't use it.
''Less (shampoo) is more (color)!''
Silver shampoo
Do you have blonde or ash-colored hair? Then you are probably already familiar with silver shampoo. It's a blue/purple shampoo and the perfect counter to yellow and orange tones. It helps your hair look cooler. But be careful! If you have any yellow left in your hair, it can turn green. And white pigments can turn blue. So be cautious with this. The silver shampoo from Hask is ideal. Use it about 2 to 3 times a week and leave it on for 1 to 5 minutes. Then it will work perfectly.
Be careful with the sun
Are you about to go on vacation? Then wait a bit before getting a new color in your hair. As nice as the sun, sea, and beach are for our mood, they are not good for your new hair color. The sun and heat are the biggest enemies of colored hair. Also important: treat your hair like your skin. Products with SPF are really not a luxury when it comes to protecting your hair.
Avoid heat sources as much as possible
Exposing your hair to heat too often causes split ends. If you have dark colored hair, these dead ends stand out even more. And that can look unkempt. If you do want to use a hairdryer, straightener, or curling iron, always use a heat protector to minimize damage. The 5-in-1 spray from Hask is perfect for this!
So, now you really know everything you need to know about shampoo to find the ideal product! Still not sure which product is best for your hair? We're more than happy to help you.
Good luck and have fun!
X ANVY
