Organic Hair Products

Last Wednesday evening I got back to my place after a grueling nine-mile bike ride through the foothills. Tired and lathered in sweat, I jumped in the shower for a much needed scrub. This was quite relaxing considering my eyes were still burning from the sweat and my skin and hair were uncomfortably littered with salt crystals.

Routinely, I reached for my "Costco special" shampoo, glopped a heap of the viscous ooze into my hands and proceeded to assail my hair with it until my scalp was numb. As I toweled up and began to dry my hair I suddenly came to a conclusion: My hair looks like hell and feels even worse after every time I wash it. As a man who exercises all too much and correspondingly washes his hair a lot, I realized that my run-of-the-mill shampoo just wasn’t cutting the mustard.

As a conservative estimate, I would say that I have A LOT bad hair days, so I decided it was time to give my hair a new game plan. Of course I had no idea what this game plan was, so I turned to the internet for some research. After sifting through numerous articles, most of which were disguised advertisements, I was blessed with some mana from heaven: a summary on organic hair products on a website called Dressy Tresses. Yeah, so it may have been targeted towards women, but hair is hair, am I right? This article gave me some great ideas on how I could solve some if not all of my hair dilemmas.

The first question that I wanted to answer was, "Why does regular shampoo leave my hair coarse and unmanageable?" It turns out that most household synthetic shampoos and conditioners contain several ingredients that are harmful to your hair: sodium lauryl sulfate and phthalates (don’t worry, I can’t pronounce it either). These ingredients are commonly used because they greatly add to the cleaning, foaming, and emulsifying effects of the shampoo.

Though organic shampoos do not contain anywhere near the amount of harmful ingredients, they too should be used in moderation because they have the potential of being an allergen or other catalyst that could increase your body’s sensitivity to the environment. As current trends follows, more and more people are deciding against synthetics and are siding with the good ol’ Mother Nature. Organic shampoos are no miracle cure for coarse hair but they can make a delightful difference in the overall health of your hair. This means stronger, better looking hair, less dandruff, and superior styling.

Before going out and buying organic shampoo, here’s something to note. There are two types of what the USDA considers natural hair care products. One will be labeled with "made with natural ingredients" and the other with "organic." The only difference between the two is that the former contains only 70% natural ingredients while the "organic" product contains at least 95%. Also, be sure to check the back of the product for its hydrosol content. Hydrosol is merely water that has been steeped in flowers and herbs but it’s used by manufacturers to artificially boost a product’s natural percentage rating. Though hydrosol is a natural ingredient, it is inert and has no redeeming effects on hair.

Admittedly, creating a hair care product that is 95% organic is very difficult, so at present there are only a handful of companies who have achieved the USDA organic certification. These companies are:

• Dr Bronner’s Magic Soaps
• Sensibility Soaps
• Aubrey Organics
• Terressentials (certification pending)

Organic hair products not needed by everyone, but if you brandish long hair, or your hair is in as desperate need as mine, it may be worth your while!

The effectiveness of modern, natural hair care products is known to all, because they are very effective in reducing hair loss and enhancing hair beauty. They are also perceived as being free from side effects and may deliver additional health benefits.

Balanced diets rich in vitamins and minerals are a must for hair health. In this regard, natural products are receiving increased recognition after years of neglect. Natural hair care products have become popular for both external and internal use. Besides, they have less chance of causing over-treatment and they rarely over-dry or over-condition your hair.

Using the right hair care and beauty products is essential for the look and health of your hair. But, the problem with natural hair care products is that you may find it difficult to choose one that is appropriate for you and your hair. Most of the products available in the market today, bear a “Natural” label, whether genuine or fake making it harder to find a good natural hair care product.

Four types of products make a medley of hair care items. The four basic natural hair care products are: hair cleansing products, hair conditioners hair remedies and hair nutrition products.

What Are Natural Hair Care Products? Not all natural hair care products all natural. Products available in salons and over store counters are never 100% natural, because, for better results and preservation issues, they need to contain a certain amount of synthetic ingredients. The synthetic products can also provide better foaming, cleaning and emulsifying than 100% natural products. However, you can prepare some home made hair care products that are absolutely natural.

You might have come across some organic hair growth products and equaled that with natural hair growth products. However, they are different. Organic does not mean natural. You can prepare organic products synthetically and those products are not always safe, gentle and effective.

Some Natural Hair Care Products Nettle Root Extract: It is rich in vitamins A and C, it is used as an inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase. Saw Palmetto Extract: It is an effective anti-androgen and fights benign prostatic disease by lowering levels of DHT. That’s why it is good for the people in androgenetic alopecia.

Every day our skin fights against pollution, stress, chemicals, food impurities and many more. This makes the skin dull, pale, rough and unclear. The only solution to skin care is the use of organic cosmetics. These are beauty products made of pure organic materials that are nature and people friendly, offering a perfectly balanced, moisturized, glowing and unbelievable clear skin.

India has made a revolutionary change in the growing market for organic cosmetics and skin care products. Not only organic beauty products, India is developing a niche for the global international market for natural cosmetics, skin care and hair care products. More and more women and men are inclined towards personal grooming and changing lifestyle, reflecting an increasing demand for beauty products in India. The cosmetic market in India is growing at an average rate of 15-20% and the current size of the industry is about $950 million. Today many foreign companies are making inroads into the local Indian market for beauty products.

Organic ingredients are pure and natural but not all natural cosmetics are organic. Some of the beauty products may contain minerals and inorganic pigments. Natural organic skin care cosmetics are obtained from pure, natural and environmental friendly organic ingredients that leave the skin vibrant, glowing and smooth, setting a benchmark for holistic skin.

Any cosmetic with a label ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ does not imply that it is 100% natural or organic. The product may be natural but the procedure followed to obtain that particular product may contain synthetic chemicals. For example, lanolin which is one of the most common ingredients in many natural cosmetics. It is manufactured from wax coating of the sheep’s wool. Before the wool is removed from the sheep, it is submerged in a pesticide to remove lice from the sheep’s body. The traces of these pesticides remain in cosmetics containing lanolin which in turn affects the skin.

To avoid these harmful effects certifying bodies operate different set of standards for different organic products. The entire process of how to make organic cosmetics is monitored, taking into consideration that each step is completed according to the international standards. These beauty products are then released into the market with a label ‘certified organic’.

Certified organic skin care cosmetics are 100% pure and natural cosmetics free from preservatives, alcohols, formaldehydes, oils, synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, waxes, and other impurities. These high quality products are made of pure, safe, clean and potent plant extracts, nurturing the complete ecology. These certified beauty products are the best cosmetics for a better glowing skin and longer lasting beauty.

Congratulations! You have made the decision to start buying organic beauty products based on their environmental and health benefits. While you may be excited to begin shopping for natural skin care lines at first; that enthusiasm can quickly be replaced by confusion and indecisiveness when you see all of the natural skin care lines. This is due to the fact that natural beauty product organic labels contain an overwhelming amount of information.

In this article, we will teach you how to read organic beauty product labels.

First things first, just because a skin care product claims to be organic, do not assume that it is. Organic beauty products are not regulated by the FDA or the USDA, so manufacturers have a lot of leeway when it comes to advertising. Many less reputable skin care companies will use the words natural beauty product or organic, even if the product contains several synthetic ingredients.

The best way to find out if an organic skin care product is truly organic is by checking the ingredients. You should recognize most (if not all) of the organic beauty ingredients listed on an organic beauty product. If there are names on your organic skin care product label that look unfamiliar to you, chances are high that the ingredients are non organic beauty quality.

You also need to be mindful of certain words that may appear on the organic skin care product packaging. If the words organic and natural are present, this simply means that the organic skin care product was made with SOME certified ingredients. It does not represent a 100% organic product; nor does it represent a chemical free product. The only phrase than ensures a completely organic product is certified organic with no synthetic ingredients.

Remember, even if you are shopping for specialty products like acne skin care regimens or anti aging skin care products, the chances are good that you can find them in an organic line. Just remember to carefully read the labels of any acne skin care system or anti aging skin care product before you buy it because it claims to be organic.

Finding the best skin care product is not hard, but be sure to do your research when you are looking for the best skin care product for you.

Hair loss is a genetic/hormonal process that can affect both men and women. Hormones that bind to hair follicles can cause an imbalance in the biological processes that cause hair growth. Eventually, excess hormones on the follicle cause hair to stop growing and the follicle dies.

Shampoo, wigs, creams, pills, powders, and just about anything else you can imagine has been marketed as a hair loss product. Hair loss products, if they are at all serious, work by either promoting hair growth, reducing the amount of hormones in the body, reducing inflammation at the follicle, or handling the autoimmune response that occurs as a result of too many hormones at the follicle site.

Hundreds of thousands of hair loss products are on the market today and only some are regulated and proven to actually be effective in helping prevent hair loss. It is important that you consult a dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and treatment options before using any product claiming to ""cure"" or stop hair loss. Some products can end up doing more harm than good.

A well-known product for hair-loss is Rogaine, a shampoo that works by promoting hair growth and retarding hair loss. Another product taken orally is Propecia, which works at the hormonal level to stop binding at the follicle site.

If you’re new to organic living and you want to start eating organic food, I’ll bet you’re wondering how can you really tell if the local farmer’s market is really selling organic products?

You might think that one way to judge if your farmer’s market is selling organic food is to look for the USDA Organic Seal but many local farmer’s aren’t able to afford the time and expense it takes to be certified by the government. Instead, they follow the standards set by their community of organic farmers. That’s when you should look for farmer’s who use the term "sustainability" rather than "organic."

There is a problem with the USDA Organic certification in that it allows 5% of non-organic ingredients in the certified product. If you’re going to look for the USDA Organic Seal, you might as well shop at your local grocery store.

Your best bet is to use the internet! There are lots of websites, like the Local Harvest website or the Organic Consumers Association website that will tell you where to find an organic farmer’s market in your area. You can also educate yourself on what organic really means and why sustainability is a better word to describe pesticide free and herbicide free produce.

Throughout the world, there are government agencies that regulate organic certified products. There’s the NASAA that monitors Australian organic farms; the JAS watches over these products in Japan; and the Organic Food Production Act in the US developed the USDA standards for organic products nationally. Start with these standards and then find out what your local farmer is using instead of conventional pesticides and herbicides to grow their produce. If you know what you’re looking for, then you’re better able to judge if your farmer is following organic standards in their methods.

Once you get educated about the lifestyle, you’ll get better at spotting fake organic sellers and products. There are lots of websites and blogs popping up all over the internet that can help you find where to purchase these foods, locate certified organic farmer’s markets, and even shop online for organic products.

It’s not always easy to find natural organic products for the person who has already gone organic, so you can imagine what type of hurdle that might be for those who are still only looking to go organic. Many people, despite their good intentions, will balk at having to buy their weekly grocery supplies from a health food or specialty store.

Over and above the prohibitive cost you would more than likely incur, is the ingrained dislike of anything that is even remotely thought of as good for you. This naturally enough stems for our childhoods when “good” was almost literally shoved down our throats with the expectation that we would grow to like everything green and nasty tasting.

The funny thing is, that we do (to a very great extent – there are a few exceptions!), but we would still readily enough cut off our noses to spite our faces and stay from our good resolutions to buy natural organic products if we had to find our way through a health food store.

Buying our natural organic products from our normal grocery store or supermarket almost makes it seem like a natural (if you will excuse the pun) exercise in grocery shopping. Sure our monthly grocery bill would go up, but we would still have the satisfaction of knowing that we purchased our natural organic products not from a health food store!

However, all of that notwithstanding, when you go to buy your natural organic products be it at the health food store, or the grocer’s around the corner, there are a few things that you will want to look out for, and these involve the small matter of seals. Not the marine or the army variety, but the variety which involves a stamp or a certification of some sort.

The most commonly recognized of these seals is the USDA seal of organic certification. There are many such different seals for the numerous natural organic products, but it is best if you first learn about them. For instance even though an organic product might be USDA certified, it doesn’t necessarily have to have 100% of organic products contained within its packaging.

In fact, unless it specifically states on the packaging that you are buying a 100% Organic product, you will most likely be getting natural organic products which have only 95% of organic produce or even only a minimum of natural organic products contained within it.

As mentioned earlier, the easiest way to tell the difference is by carefully looking at the packaging of the natural organic products that you are buying. “100% Organic” will give you (not unnaturally enough) a hundred percent of organic produce in your products.

A simple “Organic”, will yield over 95% of organic products in your foods, and the very misleading “Made with Organic Products” will be the one to give you a minimum of only 70% of organic products found within the bounds of the packaging.

About the Author:

Author’s Sites: Home Remedies , Natural Beauty Care and Aromatherapy Essential Oils
Article Tags: organic, products, natural

Read more articles by: Shabi
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Article published on September 06, 2007 at iSnare.com