There are many benefits to using bath & body products that we take for granted – and when it comes to shampoos, the fact that they lather is one of them. Because lathering is so often a part of the “washing hair” experience, it can be startling to switch to a natural shampoo that doesn’t. Read on to see what makes shampoo lather and why it shouldn’t play a role in which one you pick. Shampoo lathers because it contains chemical compounds called surfactants (surface active agents), which lower the surface tension between two liquids – in this case, the...

 Isopropyl Alcohol. Mineral Oil. Petrolatum. Propylene Glycol. Sodium Lauryl Sufate (SLS). Chlorine. Color Pigments. Fragrance. If you pick up any hair care product off the supermarket shelf, you’ll probably see many of these ingredients listed on the back of these bottles. But as common as they are, that doesn’t mean that they’re harmless. Propylene Glycol, for instance, is a versatile ingredient often used as a carrier for fragrance, a humectant and a preservative – and it’s also also the main ingredient in antifreeze. SLS is a foaming agent that creates suds and bubbles, while simultaneously irritating skin. Fragrance is an umbrella term...

 Many beauty products contain ingredients that could negatively impact your health. The cosmetics industry alone uses hundreds of these questionable chemicals in personal care brands. Of course, you should always read cosmetic labels carefully to see if they are natural and eco-friendly, and do your own research when there’s an ingredient you don’t recognize. But what are the big ones to watch out for? Check out a quick guide below on our top ingredients to avoid in your makeup and other personal care items. Petrolatum: This ingredient is often used in personal care products as a moisturizing agent. When properly refined,...