What is the hair?
Hair is dead cells mainly made up of a very resistant protein called keratin.
Know that our hair does not only have an aesthetic function, it play an essential role in protecting our brain (the most important, but also the most fragile organ of the human body).
To work well, the brain needs a stable temperature, and our hair is a perfect isothermal material.
To find out more: our article.
What to pay attention to when you choose a children's shampoo?
Here are the commandments of the choice of children's shampoo:
The pH, you will respect
First of all, the hair is dead cells, of course, but the scalp, where the root of hair is housed, is very lively.
Therefore, he is responsible for health and therefore the appearance of our hair.
Our scalp has an acid pH between 5.4 - 5.9. This acidity is very important to keep the scalp and microbiota (the nice microbes). Article
As often, our rear grandparents had understood everything: at the time, they rinsed their hair in vinegar (acid pH): excellent solution to compensate for the alkaline pH of the soaps of the time (they had much less choice than we ).
Nowadays, the ranges of shampoos are much more developed (so much that we get lost) and besides some solids, the pH of shampoos are suitable and do not require a vinegar rinsing.
In addition, the hair naturally has a negative electrical load, we know all the joys of static electricity in the hair, when it is cold and dry.
The alkalinity of the products can give even more static charges to the hair, we risk becoming all like that:
In short, rule number 1: choose a slightly acidic pH shampoo, or claiming a "neutral pH".
Too stripping washing agents, you will avoid
Since our earliest childhood, the goal of the shampoo is to have lots of foam to make funny hairstyles are honest.
But in reality, there is no link between foaming power and detergent power (washing: the real goal of the shampoo in the end).
Finally when a shampoo foams a lot, it is that the head is already clean, the bubbles come from the surfactants (if they are free to foam, it is that they did not have much to put themselves under the tooth). Article
For once, the marketing teams of major brands have understood this very well: the feeling of having a beautiful foam is the most important for the consumer.
This is why a number of formulas, even organic shampoos, natural shampoos, use very striking surfactants for their super foaming effect.
But you have to:
1. Avoid sulfates.
We know, we rad up, but really when you see the word sulfate, in any product, organic or not, we recommend applying it to the small body of a child.
2. Favor certain families of surfactants:
Family washing agents with names ending with amino acids and glucosides (article) You can trust them, these are soft washing agents.
The little eyes, we will protect.
We know all the galley to wash our little funny hair, if we use a product that stings the eyes, imagine the disaster!
So that a shampoo does not sting its eyes:
1. Sulfates are avoided (still them!).
2. We avoid an alkaline or very acidic pH.
The ideal being a pH of products around 5.5 -7.
3. We also avoid potentially irritating compounds in terms of eyes: for example, benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid which is the famous cosgard which is much used in organic and natural shampoos.
We found that a lot of so -called "natural" shampoo use this preservative.
However at the effective dose, this combination of preservatives stings the eyes well.
Allergens and sensitizing products, you will avoid.
Given the presence of a lot of blood vessels (to nourish all its small hair) the scalp is very sensitive.
Therefore, it can have greater allergic reactions, it is essential to be careful to avoid:
- Synthetic scents, behind the word "perfume" can hide many things ... endocrine disruptor (phthalates, BHT for example), CMR ingredients (carcinogens, mutagenic and reprotoxic) such as toluene, etc.
It is better to be wary of a very fragrant product not certified by labels.
- Avoid 26 known cosmetic allergens (the list)
- Avoid sensitizing and allergenic products such as the Betaine family: Coco/Lauryl/Cocamidopropryl Betaine.
Silicones and quarters (quaternary ammonium) you will banish.
Beware of the false impression of beautiful shiny and soft hair that they give (as in the ad, you know the one or the lady runs in the fields with a smiling benally)!
Because in reality, silicones and quarters have an occlusive effect: they suffocate the hair and are harmful in the long term for the health of our hair.
In addition, they are absolutely not biodegradable and are a real catastrophe for the environment (and in the end, the bened smile).
Fortunately, silicones are not allowed in organic products.
On the other hand, some quarters are ... We have not understood the logic, that which is most often found in organic cosmetics is:
Guar hydroxypropyltimonium chloride
Probably because it is synthesized from Guar gum and therefore gives the illusion of being natural ...
“Eco -responsible” shampoos, you will be wary.
More and more, our environment is weakening, choosing a organic, biodegradable shampoo, with a naturalness of 100 % is an essential gesture.
Like all the products we use for our hygiene, the shampoo is found in water and its impact on the environment exceeds the packaging.
For example, ethoxylation products: Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) sodium, PEG and Sodium Laureth Sulfates, they are prohibited in organic products, but are unfortunately still too present in other "eco-responsible" cosmetics.
Solid shampoo or liquid shampoo?
With the arrival of the "zero waste" trend that does not really exist, pure marketing speech, any manufacturing, transformation and logistics procedure generate waste. It is not because a product is without plastic packaging that it is zero waste, even worse). Article
Also pay attention to Greenwashing solid products which contains SCI and soap that makes hair sticky.
Favor a prevailing rather than a conditioner
We understand you, already to make a shampoo without screams, without crying and by keeping its Olympian calm is a real feat, so applying a conditioner with rinse, we tend to throw in the towel!
In reality, conditioners do not "nourish" the hair, contrary to what the marketing of major brands wants you to believe.
As we said, the hair is dead cells, rich in keratin (much like fish scales).
If the scales are well closed and smooth, it gives this illusion of shine and sweetness.
In reality, all of the conditioner, masks play a role of "cement". It fits the hair scales well and gives an impression of shine.
It is the dark side of the cosmetic industry, we start with a shampoo which contains sulfate, which will therefore damage the hair, then a conditioner that will stick the scales well to give the impression that Hair in "good health".
But wouldn't it be easier to wash your hair with sass washing agents?
Ah yes, but then we can no longer sell the serums, masks, conditioners ...?
Therefore, we offer you another way to treat the manes of our little funny people:
For long, curly, or frizzy hair, the application before shampooing coconut oil or linen is an excellent choice for taking hair.
In addition, we only rinse our heads once after the shampoo, youpi!
En-tout-case: we avoid products 2 in 1
Because it is not always easy to wash your children, many brands offer 2 in 1 products, especially in terms of children's hair care.
However, it is an impossible balance to find.
Indeed, to wash the hair well, it would take a dose of a larger washing agent, even with the sweetest surfactants in the world, it always takes an important dose so that the hair is properly washed.
On the other hand for the skin, for the eyes, such a quantity of washing agent is aggressive for the fragile skin of children.
It is possible, for a vacation, for example, to use in an ad hoc and temporary way these products which prove to be very practical. But be careful not to use them for the private parts or your child's face: their skin is extremely sensitive to it.
Are the assets much necessary for a child shampoo?
The active ingredients are dreaming, may not be necessary for a child shampoo ...
A shampoo is a washing product, we have seen that many shampoos claim natural active ingredients, hemp extract, Aloe Vera, Arnica.
But are they really useful and necessary?
First of all, shampoos contain surfactants, all active people dissolve in water, such as aloe vera, Arnica Hydro Glycol extracts will actually end up in the pipe.
Then the products that remain, to "nourish", "repair" the hair, know that the cuticles of the hair are very difficult to penetrate ...
For example, look at the very numerous components that must be added to the permanent hair colors.
Finally, all of these assets are mainly marketing assets.
Organic and natural anti-poux shampoo?
Ideally, physical methods are the most effective and less risky.
Indeed, a shampoo containing essential oil has many risks: for example, eucalyptus essential oil is very effective against lice.
But because of its dangerousness, and its profits/risk ratio, it is now prohibited in cosmetics in Canada since this year.
Scientifically, silicones are a very effective treatment, from a more eco-responsible point of view: coconut oil also allows good results (but it is slower, and less effective than silicones).
There are also "anti-poux institute" shops, which we have had the opportunity to test on our own children (yes, no one is immune to these little animals), the result is not bad .
There are many methods and products, moreover, did you know that anti-poux products are not considered as cosmetics, but rather as biocides, or a medical device.
There would be a lot to say about anti-poux methods, moreover if the subject interests you, do not hesitate to ask us questions, we can write you!
To summarize, the parental crusade for healthy products for your children, respectful of the planet, but effective is not over!
Or maybe if? Would a shampoo bringing together all these criteria exist? We invite you to take a look here (Your solution? )
If you have the slightest question, note, hesitation, or desire to write to us: cuckoo@lilikiwi.fr or in DM on our networks!