The Truth About Cheap Shampoo & Conditioner
How do you know if a product is good or bad for your hair?
Cheap shampoo and conditioner from the drugstore can be so appealing because of that low $$ price point, however, there is a cost to using cheap products, and I want to quickly break it down for you here.
Cheap shampoos and conditioners contain lower-quality ingredients to keep the cost low. These ingredients can be harsh detergents and synthetic additives that can strip your hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. They might also lack essential nutrients that support hair health. Higher-quality products typically have more nourishing ingredients, which can help maintain the health of your hair over time.
The issue that I notice most about cheap shampoo and conditioner, is that I can always tell when my clients use them on their hair. How can I tell? Because I can feel it on the hair. Brands like Aussie, Shea Moisture, Cantu, Pantene, Garnier Fructise, Suave, etc. leave behind a residue that coats the surface of people’s hair. That coating starts to build up on top of the hair, and it can start to propel water away, which in turn, causes the hair to become more and more dehydrated (reminder: water is hydration!). I would also like to mention that not every product at the drugstore is BAD or that every product that is in a salon is GOOD. Its all about the ingredients!
So you’re probably asking, “How do I know what to look for?!”
I recommend looking for water soluble products, as they will be the best for the health of your hair (this goes for shampoo, conditioners, AND styling products.)
An easy way to tell if a product is water soluble is to check the ingredient list. If water (or aqua) is listed within the first couple ingredients, then its a good sign that it is water soluble! I tell my clients to avoid heavy oils and butters, but many of the products I use do list things like shea butter or coconut oil in them, however look at where they are on the ingredient list. You will notice that they are waaaay down the list.
Here are some ingredients that are generally water-insoluble and to avoid when purchasing:
Oils and Fats: Ingredients like mineral oil, petrolatum, and various plant oils (e.g., coconut oil, jojoba oil) are water-insoluble and may indicate that the product is not water-soluble. **Again, notice where these are listed on the ingredient list.
Waxes: Ingredients like beeswax, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax are not water-soluble and are often used to create water-resistant or waterproof products.
Silicones: While some silicones can be water-soluble (e.g., cyclomethicone), many are not (e.g., dimethicone, dimethiconol). Water-insoluble silicones are often used to create a barrier on the skin or hair. **Silicones can help act as a barrier against humidity, but I recommend investing in a gel that has silicone instead of a conditioner with silicone.
Keep in mind that many products are formulated with a combination of water-soluble and water-insoluble ingredients, so it's not always black and white. Reading the ingredient list is a helpful starting point, but you may also need to consider the product's intended use.
What do I recommend looking for in a product?
Look for water-soluble products! You can generally tell if something is water-soluble when you look at the product’s ingredient list. Water (aqua/eau) will be listed first or second (sometimes third). Water-soluble products will not build up on the hair, keeping your hair healthy!
Using products with better ingredients is kinder to your hair. Sure, that $4 shampoo might be tempting, but if it ends up damaging your hair over time, is it really worth it? Plus, the higher quality products is usually more concentrated, so you won't need to use as much!
Xx,
Joy