How do you shop for shampoo and conditioner?
Do you buy whatever’s on special offer at your grocery store? The products that promise you beautiful shiny hair in TV ads? Or the ones your friend uses?
If you’re swayed by gimmicky ads, cheap prices, or personal recommendations, it could be time to take a deeper look at what you’re using on your hair. Especially if you’re not paying attention to the ingredients that your hair care products contain.
While you might have heard of the dangers of sulfates, many shampoos and conditioners also contain paraben compounds. But what are parabens and how do they affect your hair and your health? Keep reading to find out why you should switch to paraben-free products today!
What Are Parabens?
First introduced in the 1950s, parabens are a class of chemicals that act as a preservative. These chemicals prolong the shelf life of beauty and personal care products.
Parabens do this by preventing the growth of bacteria, fungus, and other unwanted microorganisms. And you’ll find them in pretty much everything, from lipsticks and body washes to shampoos and conditioners.
Since there are many different types of parabens, they’re often listed on products under a variety of names. But they all include the word paraben, so you should look for names such as butylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben.
Why Are Parabens Harmful?
Parabens might make shampoos and shower gels last longer, but this comes at a high price. The parabens found in such products harm our health and the environment in several worrying ways:
- Parabens Mimic Estrogen: Many studies have found that parabens show estrogenic activity. By mimicking this hormone, parabens disrupt the functions of the hormonal system. This impacts both male and female reproductive systems, fertility, and birth outcomes
- Parabens May Trigger Acne: Parabens disrupt the functions of the hormonal system. This may lead to hormonal outbreaks and acne as a result of fluctuating sebum levels
- Parabens Disrupt the Endocrine System: Parabens are endocrine disruptors. This means that they may have adverse effects on the human body. Such effects include developmental malformations, immunity disturbances, and an increased risk of cancer
- Parabens Can Irritate Skin: If you have sensitive skin or eczema, products containing parabens can worsen these
- Parabens Are Harmful to Wildlife: We’re not only putting our health at stake when we use parabens, but we’re also harming the natural world around us. Butylparaben can kill coral, for example. And wildlife experts have found traces of parabens in the tissues of marine animals such as dolphins and sea otters
As scary as this list of harmful effects is, these are only the dangers that we know about. Research into parabens is ongoing, so there may be more new discoveries in the future about other ways it can impact our health.
Using Paraben-Free Products
Due to the harmful effects listed above, more people are switching to paraben-free shampoo and conditioner. But for those of you who have yet to make the switch, there may be some confusion and misconceptions about paraben-free products. Here are some of the realities of what it means to use paraben-free products:
Avoid the Harmful Effects
For most people, learning that parabens may disrupt hormones, trigger acne, and increase your cancer risk is enough to make the switch. Checking the ingredients list and seeking out products that are paraben-free is the best way to avoid these harmful effects.
Parabens Are Unnecessary
Companies that still use parabens in their products would have you believe that these chemicals are necessary. They may even try to scare you into sticking with paraben-loaded shampoos and conditioners. They do this by claiming that without parabens, your hair care products will soon be full of bacteria and fungus.
In reality, all shampoo has an expiration date. While it’s true that natural shampoos have a shorter shelf-life, unless it takes you more than a year to finish a bottle of shampoo, you don’t have to worry.
Plus, it’s easy to take steps to ensure that your paraben-free shampoo lasts as long as possible. These include closing the lid after use, storing the bottle out of direct sunlight, and replacing the bottle if it gets damaged.
No Need to Compromise on Hair Health
Another common misconception about natural hair care products is that they’re ineffective. Or at least that they don’t deliver the same kinds of results as products with parabens. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Many top brands using advanced hair care technology are free from parabens, including Magic Sleek. You might not associate healthy, shine-infused hair with outdated concepts of “natural” products. But both the Magic Sleek Maintenance Shampoo and Magic Sleek Maintenance Conditioner don’t contain parabens.
Magic Sleek shows that a product can be both paraben-free and super effective at hydrating your hair to deliver shine and tackle frizz. In fact, it’s because Magic Sleek avoids the toxic chemicals found in most hair treatments that it is so effective and nourishing for your hair.
Make the Switch to Paraben Free Shampoo and Conditioner Today
It’s frightening to see how harmful the presence of parabens can make products such as shampoo and conditioner. Especially since we use them without thinking about what the ingredients they contain could be doing to our health.
Thanks to increasing awareness about parabens and the harm they cause, it’s a lot easier to find paraben-free products now. These paraben-free shampoos and conditioners are much safer. Plus, they’re also much more effective at delivering the healthy hair you’ve always dreamed of!
Of course, healthy hair doesn’t stop there. Magic Sleek Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner are only two of the products in the amazing – and paraben free – nutrient-rich range. Make sure you check out our retail store to discover it all!
26 Responses
Your hair tips are spot-on and have transformed the way I care for my hair.
Thank you for your comment. Your support fuels our passion for what we do.
I’m constantly impressed by the quality of your hair blog. Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment. We appreciate your recognition of our hard work and dedication.
Your blog articles are like hidden treasures. So glad I stumbled upon your hair blog.
Your comment is invaluable to us. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I can’t get enough of your hair blog. It’s a goldmine of practical advice and inspiration.
We appreciate your comment and the encouragement it provides. Thank you!
Love these hair tips! Definitely trying them out!
So happy to have inspired you!
Your well-researched content and clear explanations make it easy for readers to understand the benefits of paraben-free options.
We sincerely appreciate your comment. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this article. Your explanations are clear, and you’ve highlighted the potential risks associated with parabens in a straightforward manner. Thank you for raising awareness about this important aspect of hair care.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a great comment!
Your article is a valuable resource for those on the path to more conscious and sustainable hair care practices!
Your comment is a gem – thank you!
I’ve learned a great deal from it, and I’m truly thankful for your contribution.
Thank you for your feedback!
I’ve switched, healthier hair thanks to paraben-free!
We hope that the information from the article was helpful! Thank you for your feedback!
How do parabens impact the health and condition of our hair over time?
Hello Jane! Thank you for contacting us.
Parabens can make hair dry and brittle by removing natural oils. Some worry they might also affect hormones, indirectly impacting hair health. Choosing paraben-free products helps keep hair healthier in the long run.
I’m ready to make the change for healthier hair! How to make an appoitment with you?
Hello Katcy! Thank you for contacting us. To choose the best salon near you and make your appoitment for Magic Sleek servises use our Salon Locator to find the best salon for you!
You’ve brilliantly highlighted the importance of making mindful choices in hair care.
Thank you !