Since returning to natural (Nov. 2010), I have tried lots of different products. In the beginning I was so fascinated with styles and curl pattern, so I just used anything that said DEFINE. I didn't pay attention to ingredients at all because I did not have an understanding of how important it was. As I continued to research I learned of how bad mineral oil, Sulfates and petroleum were for our hair. So I stopped using things with mineral oil, petroleum, and Sulfates and I really thought I had made a huge change, But NO!
It was a small change. So I decided to stop using the average shampoo, no more grease and I was very picky about my oils. I REALLY thought I was doing something, NO! weell in a way! I was but those were not the worst of the ingredients. I continued to research and just stopped using shampoo and regular conditioner all together. I decided to start using mud and clays, huge difference and that's what gave me the definition I was looking for, But I still had a problem! My styling aids; they were made for natural hair by an African-American owned company. I absolutely loved it, bragged about it.
Upon more research I was heartbroken to find out that the product I fell in love with was deceiving me. By listing things the product did not contain and making the label very simple and the ingredients list being easy to read I was fooled; because there was an ingredient I never paid attention to (phenoxyethanol) which in simple terms is "ether" a chemical solvent. I really doubt that I would need a chemical solvent to style my hair. If the ingredient was close to or at the bottom of the list I would say, it isn’t too bad but it is close to the top which means it contains a lot.
I stopped using major commercial brands to avoid health hazard ingredients and started using home grown brands to support my fellow naturals. I didn't expect some of them to have health hazard ingredients in their products but they do and I am irritated by it. Some of them are using xanthum gum (synthetic) when they can use guar gum (natural). I know it’s all in the cost but that’s the price of starting your own thing. the idea was to create a product that was healthy and helpful for naturals that the big brands wasn't doing; but some of these homegrown companies are doing the same thing and are no better.
Yes, I know some ingredients are needed for preservation, however there is a company that does not have any bad ingredients and it is preserved with no problem and it is my favorite mud wash. So now I am in the process of researching to create my own products, because I know there are all natural Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Thickeners, and Emollients. I did not stop using chemicals and Synthetics for nothing. This is not just about my hair; it’s about my health!
THE END OF MY RANT!
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