How to choose an organic shampoo

Organic shampoos and conditioners have their share of benefits as compared to the chemical-based shampoos. However, there are organic shampoos that might not suit your hair texture. Here are a few things that one should keep in mind before opting for natural shampoos...

Check if the shampoo is organic

Some shampoos might just claim that they are made out of natural ingredients. But five out of 10 ingredients will actually be chemical-based, that might harm your hair. It is advisable to research in advance than pick a shampoo without knowing its pros and cons.

Look out for these ingredients

When choosing an organic shampoo look out for ingredients like olive oil, cocount oil, organic tea tree, organic shea butter and aloe vera, among others. 

Consult the doctor before use

Don't buy organic shampoos just because the label says so. There are different varieties in organic shampoos for different hair textures like oily or dry hair. It is best to consult the doctor before use.

Make your own anti-dandruff shampoo

Have you tried every anti-dandruff shampoo in the market, but still haven't found one that works for you? Try making your own at home.

You'll need:

Baking powder: 2 tbsp

Warm water: 1 cup

Vinegar: 1 tbsp

Mint juice: 2 tbsp

Directions:

Put the baking powder and warm water in a clean bowl and mix well. Then add the vinegar and mix well. Make a juice of fresh mint leaves and add only the thick filtered part of the juice to the mixture. Finally, stir everything together well and keep aside for a while. Apply this solution to your hair twice a week.

Can you do without shampoo?

A new beauty revolution called the No Shampoo Movement is being touted as the way to beat baldness and hair thinning. Want to give it a shot?

 

Do you know the secret to Adele's glamorous updo? She doesn't use shampoo. The singer washes her hair with plain water. Adele is part of the 'no shampoo' movement, which has followers ranging from Hollywood A-listers like Jessica Simpson and Robert Pattinson to Prince Harry. The followers of this movement (also called the 'no-poo movement'), consider it a safe way to prevent baldness and hair thinning. "The real reason for the early onset of baldness and thin hair is overshampooing. Over a long period, shampoos damage your hair drastically," says naturopath Dr Nirmala Shetty. "I hated my hair at first but started feeling the difference after the first two weeks," says wellness coach Leanna Cappucci. She uses apple cider and plain baking soda instead of a shampoo.

 

Washing your hair with a natural, homemade shampoo and conditioner may be a good idea at times. According to Dr Shetty, people of our grandparents' generation have a healthy mane in their old age because they mostly used natural ingredients to clean their hair. "Like green gram flour and boiled rice water, fresh hibiscus or shikakai paste — to keep their scalp and hair clean. Natural ingredients are easily absorbed by the body," says Dr Shetty. A lot of shampoos contain harmful chemicals, like methylisothiazolinone and diethanolamine, that can lead to health problems. Foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are believed to cause irritation of the scalp for some. Says hair expert Shahnaz Husain, "Regular shampooing is counter-productive. It makes your hair dry and brittle and disrupts the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp, which often leads to dandruff." If you want to give your hair a natural wash at times, do read the box below.

 

HOMEMADE HAIR CLEANSER 

Add water to baking soda and bottle it. Use this just like shampoo. To make a natural conditioner, add 1-2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water. If your hair feels dry, use less baking soda, or try using honey instead of vinegar.