Shampoo is a foaming product that most of us definitely use several times a week. Without really thinking about it, we apply all sorts of things to our hair. Do you sometimes find it hard to choose between all those different types? We’ll explain the basics so you can then look for the perfect shampoo for your hair.
The history of shampoo
First of all, it's good to know how shampoo actually came to be. Until 1930, regular soap was used to wash hair, but the combination of strong soap and hard water led to an irritated scalp. Hair became dull and lifeless.
In 1930, the first synthetic soaps were developed. These were specifically created for cleaning hair, with care coming much later. This meant you had to go through life looking like a scarecrow. A clean-haired scarecrow, but still.
Fortunately, shampoo manufacturers understood that this was definitely not done. Nowadays, there is a shampoo or care line for every hair type, so we no longer have to live like scarecrows.
The ingredients of shampoo
Shampoo contains cleansing agents that – you guessed it – remove dirt and grease from the scalp and hair. In shampoos that you can use every day, there are harsher substances than in shampoos for colored hair, which are much milder. So 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. A daily shampoo contains less of these cleansing agents, making it milder for your scalp.
In addition to cleansing agents, shampoos also contain foaming agents. Do these really do anything? Unfortunately not. They make the shampoo foam, giving us the feeling that we are doing a good job. But the foaming agents do nothing for the cleaning of the hair.
Important: avoid sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and mineral oil in your shampoo. We have previously written about why you should avoid these, you can read about it here.
How does shampoo work?
A thin layer of oil surrounds your hair, which helps it shine and protects 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 when it’s damaged.
A good shampoo helps prevent these damages. It cleanses without irritating the scalp. It should not damage the layer of oil around the hair. If it does, it’s also its job to restore it. A good shampoo strengthens your own hair.
Now that you know this, you can search more specifically for a suitable shampoo for your hair. Have you seen all our shampoos yet? There’s definitely something for you in there!
Want to know more about shampoo or looking for our tips and tricks? Then definitely check out this blog, where we share everything about shampoo.
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