The Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type
Haircare is part of your self-care ritual. Deciding what shampoo to use depends on various factors like hair type, scalp problems and personal preference.
In the Hair Routine mini-series, we address your hair's maintenance's most important aspects, from choosing suitable products to valuable tips about application and ingredients. This first episode is dedicated to understanding your shampoo's properties and how to identify a product that matches your hair type.
Shampoos are haircare products that remove sweat, dirt, excess sebum and other debris from your hair. Shampoos are part of the first step when cleansing your hair, and you should apply them with gentle, circular motions to wet hair, massaging it onto the scalp and rinsing them with lukewarm water.
The formulation is essential when choosing a shampoo. Ingredients like surfactants, pearling agents, peeling agents, preservatives, scents, conditioning agents and PH adjusters are crucial when selecting the right shampoo for your needs. The primary compounds in shampoos are surfactants that properly cleanse the hair. Their main objective is to remove dirt, sweat and excess sebum. Examples of surfactants include cocamidopropyl MEA, cocamidopropyl betaine, and sodium laureth sulphate.
Pearling agents give the product its silky, glamorous look. They are inactive and do not interact with the active ingredients. Due to the chemical compounds found in shampoos, they often have PH adjusters, making the product safe to use.
Different Types of Shampoos
Colour-Protecting Shampoos
It is essential to avoid shampoos that can lead to colour fading or, worse, colour loss. Regular shampoos may contain detergents that will dim your colour's shine. Your hairstylist always insists on using colour-protecting shampoos to help make the pigment and shine last longer. On top, it gives you a fresh look and extra hydration.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis appears when a Malassezia yeast overgrowth induces skin cells to shed at an unusually high rate. Generally, dandruff shampoos contain ingredients like ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione or salicylic acid that destroy the yeast. Anti-dandruff shampoos also control the amount of oil produced by the scalp. When you experience dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, or any other medical condition, visit your dermatologist!
Hydrating Shampoos
Due to the lack of moisture within the scalp, it may turn dry, flaky or itchy. A dry scalp can also cause dandruff, eczema and hair fall.
If you have dry skin, use a good moisturising shampoo with soothing ingredients that target your hair needs. It will help dry and damaged hair look smooth and glossy. Also, you should not wash your hair daily or even every other day. Instead, try washing your hair weekly as it will better preserve natural oils within the scalp, keeping your hair healthy and moisturised.
Dry Shampoos
Dry shampoo is not for daily use. It is a quick fix when you don't have time to wash your hair. It soaks up all the oils from your hair; thus, it could be too drying if you have a sensitive, dry scalp. Use it only when necessary.
Everyday Regular Shampoos
If you have thin, hard-to-style hair but you don't have any special needs or medication for your locks, you can use everyday shampoo. These are gentle cleansers, much like a standard shampoo, with few ingredients designed to remove the usual everyday sebum without wiping out the natural oils within your hair.
Choose Your Shampoo According to Your Hair Type
Choosing your shampoo based on your hair type is suitable for people with normal scalp without excessive dryness or oiliness. Choose a formula to address your specific hair needs to obtain the desired results.
Dry Hair
If you have dry hair, then choose hydrating compounds and moisturising shampoos. The best ingredients for dry hair are argan oil, jojoba (plant oils in general), glycerine and chamomile. They will provide extra hydration for your dry, coarse hair.
Green Angel’s Seaweed Shampoo, rich in minerals and vitamins, combines seaweed and neroli, lavender, and mandarin essential oils to help enrich your hair’s vitality.
Damaged Hair
There is more to hair damage than mere split ends. Severely damaged hair feels thin, brittle, and frizzy. Keratin and silky formulas support broken hair, leaving it soft, smooth, healthy and easy to manage.
Thin Hair
Fine hair is hard to style, breaks easily and has smaller, less porous strands. You need to find a shampoo that lifts the hair off the scalp, giving it more volume and texture.
Thick Hair
Thick hair is more on the dry side, so it is best to use formulas that moisturise your hair and keep the frizz at bay. Shampoos with ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or Aloe vera are top choices for people with thick hair.
Oily Hair
Excessive oil production can lead to seborrheic dermatitis, aka dandruff. If you want your scalp to feel calm and refreshed, choose a shampoo that gently removes excess sebum and has cooling ingredients like mint or eucalyptus.
Curly Hair
Curly hair needs extra attention, and it's quite a challenge. Usually, this type of hair requires additional hydration, so a moisturising shampoo is the best choice for you. To prevent drying out your curls, use a low-foam paraben-free shampoo.
One of my patients' most frequently asked questions is how often they should wash their hair. You can wash it every three days if you have normal hair without scalp problems. Oily hair can be cleansed every other day, while dry hair can be once a week. Daily shampooing may be necessary as part of your treatment if you suffer from any scalp condition or hair loss. But always check with your dermatologist first!
The bottom line is that shampoo is the first and most fundamental step of any haircare routine. Understanding your hair's needs and knowing what ingredients will suit your hair type the best is the formula for smooth, healthy, movie star-like hair.
Besides knowing your hair type, we recommend you understand your scalp needs when choosing a shampoo. Next time we'll talk about conditioners, masks and how to upgrade your haircare game! Use the #DHHairRoutine to discover more products and inspiration for your haircare routine!
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