Cancer-Causing Ingredients Found in Your Shampoo

Shampoos are used by every person, no matter the gender or age. They are common products that many of us use every day. But did you know that shampoos contain plenty of dangerous substances, which can threaten your overall health?

Shampoo’s cleaning proprieties, as well as its color or fragrance, are usually the result of a combination of toxins. Not to mention that this product is also loaded with preservatives, and you know how dangerous these substances can be. Let’s see what shampoo ingredients can cause cancer.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Also called sodium laureth sulfate, this toxin is used in a large variety of cleaning and cosmetic products. The abbreviation found on the products’ labels is SLES or SLS. This substance is a detergent, foamer, emulsifier, and surfactant that can irritate the eyes and skin, but it can also cause serious health conditions, such as cancer. It has been proven that SLES/SLS also provokes endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and biochemical changes.

You can also find SLES/SLS in toothpaste, scalp treatments, bath salts, bath oils, liquid hand soaps, foundation, laundry detergents, bleaching agents and so on.

• Diethanolamine

This toxin is also called DEA, and it can be found in a lot of cosmetic products, but especially in shampoos. It is a real danger because DEA reacts with other substances, such as preservatives. During this reaction, another toxin is resulted, namely NDEA – a powerful carcinogen.

Moreover, DEA does not allow a proper absorption of choline. Choline is essential to a normal brain development; that’s why pregnant women need a higher amount of choline. If its absorption is inhibited by DEA, the development of the baby will be affected.

• Parabens

These substances are used in shampoos and other cosmetic products as preservatives. Body lotions, foundations, hair conditioners, lipsticks, make-up removers, etc are usually loaded with parabens.

The list of parabens includes ethyl paraben, methyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, and propyl paraben. You should also check the label for E216. All these are extremely dangerous to your health, and it has been proven that they are linked to cancer.

They also lead to other health problems, like obesity, loss of muscle mass, and male breast growth. These things happen because parabens disturb the estrogen balance of your body.

But there are also paraben-free cosmetics and care products so that these substances can be avoided.

• 1,4-Dioxane

This substance is a very dangerous toxin, which can cause cancer and it is harmful to the liver, kidneys, and brain. High levels of 1,4-dioxane can irritate your skin, eyes, throat, and nose. This toxin is present not only in shampoos, but also in detergents, some cosmetics, paints, varnishes, and even food and drinks.

Some baby shampoo brands have lowered the amount of 1,4-dioxtane used in their products. If you worry about possible effects of this toxin, choose such a shampoo produced by one of those brands. However, keep in mind that the toxin is not added as such, so it won’t be labeled as 1,4-dioxane. Search for ingredients that contain laureth, ceteareth, and oleth in their name, or that ends with –oxynol or –eht. Polyethylene and PEG ingredients also contain 1,4-dioxtane.