What Are the Main Ingredients in Shampoo and Conditioner?

Shampoo and conditioners are common beauty staples. Shampoo cleanses your hair and conditioner hydrates and softens locks. Without these products your hair would soon become an oily mess. Both products combined help to keep hair clean and manageable. The ingredients found in these products vary depending whether the product is more natural or chemically based. However, there are a few common ingredients that are found in several typical shampoos and conditioners such as fragrance and water.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is added a common ingredient found in shampoos and some conditioners. This chemical creates a rich lather when you shampoo your hair. Some people are sensitive to SLS because it is a type of detergent. If your scalp tends to itch or your notice a reaction, find a product that does not contain this ingredient. Bead Head makes several shampoos and conditioners that are SLS free.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is often added to shampoos because it preserves everything else contained in the product. This ingredient is no longer used in many other cosmetic products, but you will still find it in many shampoos. Parbens are chemicals used as preservatives.

Silicone Oils

Silicone oils like dimethicone and cyclomethicone are common ingredients found in a typical bottle of conditioner. The oils help to add shine and smoothness to hair by softening the cuticle shaft with hydration. Dry hair is brittle and hard, but these ingredients feed hair, helping to make it softer. More natural based conditioners use other ingredients in place of silicone like coconut or olive oil.

Fatty acids and other emollients like isopropyl palmitate are also added to some conditioners. These ingredients are generally added to conditioners but you may also find them in some moisturizing shampoos.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is added to both shampoo and conditioner. The oil acts as a base for all the other additions. Water and other oils can also be bases, but you will often find mineral oil at the top of the list because it is cheap and easy to make. This oil is lubricant that softens and protects hair.