Did you know? If you check the back of the bottle of any popular commercial hair oil in the market, you will find the quantity of synthetic ingredients more than the quantity of pure quality, clean ingredients. Why is that so? Why can’t the most valuable hair oil brands in the world afford to put only clean pure quality ingredients into their formulations? Like any other topical product that you apply to your skin & hair, oils get absorbed into your skin.
Hence, you must beware of the shady gimmicks that hair oil brands use in order to fool customers.
Let’s decode everything about harmful ingredients used in hair oils and how they affect your system:
1. Mineral Oil:
This is a petroleum by product and one of the cheapest fillers in hair oils. It forms a barrier onto the hair and skin and this cause clogging of pores. Mineral oil form a thick, occlusive layer onto the hair, giving the illusion of smoothness and shine. Although, it doesn’t actually penetrate into the hair and scalp, leading to buildup . The layer it coats around the scalp, prevents essential nutrients like natural oils and serums from penetrating. There are several studies on mineral oil being a proven carcinogen. Since it is non biodegradable, it contributes to environmental pollution.
2. Silicones:
If you see an ingredient in your oil which ends with cone or siloxane .i.e Dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane, please keep it 10 feet away from your skin & hair! Yes, silicones are that ingredient in most conditioners, oils and smoothening serums which give your hair that gloss and shine. But, they can create buildup with excessive use and can clog hair follicles, weakening the hair follicles. This can gradually make the hair fall out of the root.
3. Parabens:
Parabens are preservatives which are commonly used in beauty and skincare products to increase their shelf life. However it can cause microbial growth and lead to hair thinning. It is a major endocrine disruptor, which can interfere with the body’s hormone production. It can also increase the risk of breast cancer.
4. Synthetic Fragrances(phthalates):
Synthetic/Artificial Fragrances get absorbed deep in the skin and into the bloodstream. They increase the risk of breast cancer and other hormone related cancers.
5. Sulfates:
These are detergents that are commonly used in shampoos, soaps and other washing detergents. While they might be excellent at cleansing your scalp and hair, these can be harsh and can strip your scalp off moisture and natural oils. These include SLS, SLES and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
6. Formaldehyde:
These are a preservative used to increase the shelf life of a product. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it has strong links to nasal and throat cancers with long-term exposure. Formaldehyde is a disinfectant used as a strong antimicrobial agent to kill bacteria and viruses. But with continued use, it can cause issues like respiratory disorders, skin irritation and other hazardous conditions.
7. Artificial colors:
Artificial colors contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury which if interfere with bodily functions can cause bladder cancer and other allergies.
8. Alcohol(Isopropyl Ethanol):
Alcohol is a common irritant which can cause excessive dryness within the scalp and make the hair brittle and weak. It can cause inflammatory conditions like scalp psoriasis, flaking and dandruff, especially if you have a sensitive scalp. It can make hair look dull, lacklustre and frizzy.
9. Triethanolamine (TEA):
This is a pH balancing and emulsifying agent commonly found in hair care products. While it helps with blending of oils, it can strip away your natural oils. It can alter the pH balance of your scalp, weakening your hair structure. This is especially harmful for people with low porosity or curly hair types. TEA is often contaminated with nitrosamines, which are potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals. Long term use of oils which contain this ingredient can weaken the overall scalp barrier, leading to thinning and hair loss.
If you’re looking for a "hair growth oil", you have to look for ingredients that will do more than just moisturising and smoothening your hair. You have to select ingredients like rosemary, castor, amla, peppermint that actually have clinical backing for hair growth efficacy and hair health in general. Using hair oil with any of these extra unwanted additives is like calling for hair loss yourself. When in search for a good quality, effective hair growth oil, make sure the ingredient list only contains 100% pure and natural ingredients, formulated with clinical evidence.