When you hear the words, Parabens and Sulphates, you immediately recall the countless times you’ve heard, they are chemicals that are bad for you. Back in the day, these two ingredients were present in almost every household and cosmetic product out there. In recent years, however, manufacturers have started rethinking the use of parabens and sulphates in their products and are switching to healthier alternatives. 

As consumers, you may not have delved deep into why these ingredients are bad for you. But before you do that, you need to understand what they are. 

What Are Parabens and Sulphates? 

Parabens are synthetic chemicals that are used as preservatives in food, health and beauty products. They play an important role in increasing a product’s shelf life by preventing harmful bacteria, fungus, and yeast from growing. Butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben are the most common ones you’ll find in ingredient lists.  

Sulphates are synthetic chemicals most commonly found in personal care and household products that are used for cleaning purposes. Basically, they are the reason your shampoo and toothpaste lather up. The strong cleansing properties of sulphates strip away oil, dirt and grime, leaving you feeling squeaky clean. The most common sulphates found in cosmetics are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES).

Why are they bad?

1. Hormonal health hazard

Oestrogen is an essential hormone for reproductive development. Parabens have a chemical structure that is similar to the hormone. So, when these chemicals enter your body, they can trick it into thinking they are oestrogen and cause a variety of problems. Adult onset acne, male breast growth, early onset of puberty in girls are just the tip of the iceberg. 

2. Skin irritant 

Both parabens and sulphates can cause varying levels of skin discomfort. An overdose of sulphates can strip skin of essential oils leaving it dry and exposed to external aggressors. Parabens have been known to cause allergic reactions, especially to sensitive, damaged, or broken skin. 

3. Damaging for hair

Shampoos containing sulphates can strip hair of its protective barrier and protein, making it rough and brittle. It also disturbs the moisture balance of the scalp, causing dryness and irritation. Long-term exposure to sulphates can cause serious hair damage. 

4. Environmental hazard

Both sulphates and parabens are bad news for the environment. Most sulphates found in mass-produced products are extracted from petroleum through means that are harmful to the planet. Parabens and sulphates have also been known to affect the health of marine life. 

What can you do?

Now that you know about the damaging effect of these chemical ingredients, it is best to avoid them. Especially when it comes to skin and hair, a gentle care infused with the goodness of nature is the best choice. Our Naturali range of skincare and haircare provides you just that. Made with safe and loving ingredients, our products do not contain harmful chemicals like sulphates or parabens. So you get nothing but happy hair and skin!