You needn’t be a self-described irredeemable hippie like me to avoid sources of formaldehyde. Both the International Agency for Research on Carcinogens and The National Toxicology Program categorize this chemical as a carcinogen.
You may think that you’re safe from formaldehyde exposure, since it’s been years since you dissected that frog in high school. Unfortunately, this toxin could likely be hiding in the products you apply to your body and, as a result, is being absorbed and inhaled on a daily basis.
Sources of formaldehyde in hair products
The following ingredients are known as a formaldehyde releasers or formaldehyde donors. As derivatives of formaldehyde, the following additives release formaldehyde at levels 1/10th of the original chemical. That number, however, comes from the industry-funded Cosmetic Review Panel (healing journey four years ago). When billion dollar industries fund research on the safety of their products, I take the results with a grain of salt. As I discussed in my post on cell phone radiation, funding bias is a real and pervasive influence. So the accuracy of that formaldehyde impact could be reasonably questioned.
With the drastic toxicity of formaldehyde, even a fraction of the chemical presents a burden to our body, especially when used on a daily basis. Further, research on the biological impact of chemical preservatives considers only one chemical at a time. Many experts believe that the combination of multiple preservatives is more toxic than the sum of its parts.
Carefully scan all your haircare, as well as other personal care products, for the following formaldehyde releasers:
- DMDM hydantoin, a preservative found in over 2,000 products listed on the Skin Deep Database, such as Ahava Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
- Glyoxal – With the highest toxicity rating on the Skin Deep Database, this preservative is found in products from Bed Head and Liquid Keratin.
- Imidazolidinyl Urea – Brands that attempt a “natural” spin on marketing, such as Macadamia Natural Oil, use this preservative.
- Diazolidinyl Urea – This hides in well-known brands such as Almay and DevaCurl products.
- Methylene Glycol – Found in chemical smoothing treatments such as The Brazilian Blowout, this ingredient may be responsible for making countless stylists sick from frequent exposure.
- Polyoxymethylene Urea – The Skin Deep Database doesn’t currently list hair products with this toxin, although it is still used in cosmetics and skincare.
- Quaternium-15 – This formaldehyde-based preservative is found in Johnson’s Baby Shampoo!
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate – Again, brands positioning themselves as “natural” (such as Giovanni, Earth Science, and Siberian Pure Herbs) use this preservative.
My Favorite Non-Toxic Hair Care
Whenever I discuss haircare, whether on the blog or with friends, I feel compelled to share my experience with Morrocco Method, the 100% raw haircare that I’ve used for years.
When I first began my healing journey four years ago, I diligently ditched any questionable ingredients in my hair and body care. But, with formaldehyde-containing preservatives and other nasty additives in seemingly innocuous brands, I suddenly found myself without many options. As a matter of fact, I searched for a year before I found a line which met my ingredient standards. (Yep, a whole shampoo-less year while I experimented with DIY haircare with rather disastrous results).
The holistic approach of Morrocco Method –Morrocco Method and lunar hair cutting – transformed the health of my hair and scalp. Most importantly, I know I am using only the most pristine ingredients… all of which are pure enough to eat. If you want to start your holistic hair care journey, I put together a deluxe-sized sample packet of my favorite MM products. Grab the samples and learn more here!
Have you purged chemicals from your haircare?
Just compared this list to the Shea Moisture Hair Care line and I’m pretty sure their products are clear. Though, I’ve been seriously considering switching to the Morrocco Method just because it takes such a fabulous holistic approach! But until then, it’s good to know my current hair care isn’t toxic. Thanks for another great post, Lauren!
Wow! I think my current products are ok but I will double check for sure! I used the Morocco Method for a bit and loved how my hair felt!
Lauren, thank you for this blog and thank you for your commitment to educating us on holistic healthy living. I am a huge fan of your blogs and always amazed that I learn something new every single time.
From your blog, I came across Morocco Method products and would definitely love to try them. I live in Canada and unfortunately I cannot seem to find these products here. Do you know if Morocco Method is available internationally?
Thank you again for spreading your light.
Stella.
Lauren, I’ve gained a lot of insight from reading your wonderful blog and took to heart your very positive comments about the Morocco Method shampoos. I’ve since bought the whole collection of shampoos and I’m using them as directed for the last 3 weeks.
I suffer from alopecia and was so hopeful that these shampoos would help my condition. But I have to say that I absolutely hate the way my hair feels after I’ve shampooed it and once its dry. By the next day, I feel like I have to shampoo again. Best described as matted down and oily. Is this normal? I’m willing to continue using the shampoos until I’ve run out, but I’m not too optimistic. I periodically go back to my regular toxic shampoo just to feel that my hair is “clean”.
Thanks for any input or insight you might be able to share. As you can tell, I value your opinion!
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I’m sorry to hear about your struggle with alopecia, my heart goes out to you. Yes, it is normal to experience the oily and matted feeling, it’s called the detox period. It’s no fun, but once this “purging period” is over, it’s over for good. Here are my tips for getting past the detox period: http://empoweredsustenance.com/detox-morrocco-method-coupon/
I also recommend a healing protocol such as an autoimmune diet for alopecia, which has an autoimmune connection. http://empoweredsustenance.com/autoimmune-paleo-getting-started/
Lauren,
I’ve tried Morrocco Method and haven’t had any success with it although I really wanted to. I called and inquired and did everything they recommended, but still had flat hair. I tried an organic Canadian shampoo that has very few ingredients and it works for me. I’ve noticed that you wrote positive comments about Beautycounter. What do you think about their hair line?
I looked more at Shale oil in MM’s Pine and Shale Shampoo, I am rather concerned about that ingredient in general. It is my understanding that Shale Oil is basically Crude Oil and may be classified as a category 1 carcinogen by WHO. Is Shale Oil a natural product? Yes. But how many of us have worked hard to remove petrochemicals from our lives, I fear this may not be much different.
I’m looking for other suggestions. My hair has become coarse, unmanageable and damaged by honey-poo/ACV rinse and occasionally supplemented with baking soda/ACV. But I need fragrance free and strongly desire only a few ingredients that more closely resembles whole foods and less like things from a lab.
There is frequently confusion about the shale oil in the Pine Shale shampoo. MM explains “There’s been a lot of mixups between sulfonated shale oil and crude shale oil, a very different ingredient. As an example, the EWG profile of Pine Shale Shampoo actually lists the wrong ingredient! MM Pine Shale actually uses PALE SULFONATED SHALE OIL, which is very, very different from the crude shale oil, a potentially harmful ingredient. We are currently working to have this rectified.” You can read more here: http://www.morroccomethod.com/blog/debunking-the-myths-of-sulfonated-pine-shale-oil/
I’m glad to hear there is a difference!
I was shocked to realise that polysorbate-20, (possibly polysorbate-60 too?) etc in most mouthwashes releases formaldehyde into the mouth when mixed with saliva. I try to buy ones which contain xylitol now instead. I could be wrong on this but I got a ‘boney lump’ developing in the roof of my mouth, which my dentist said could turn nasty – he said ‘keep an eye on it’. I could be imagining things, but I think it may have reduced in size since I stopped the first type of mouthwash I was using – in any case, it has certainly not got any bigger. Do your own research people – this is just my experience/what I read somewhere. Cheers.
I heard somewhere formaldehyde was banned in cosmetics, but I recognize some of those ingredients which is… concerning, to say the least. Luckily for as devilishly chemically sensitive my skin is, my hair has never really had any problems.
Hi Lauren,
I never thought that trusted shampoo brands contain formaldehyde. I tried Morrocco Method and it did well for my hair after just several uses. Thanks for sharing.
Hi,
3 years ago, I had a problem with my hair. Bulk of hair strands began to fall off as my scalp is flaky and itchy. I went to doctor for this problem because this is no ordinary. From then on, I never used any shampoo products. What I am using now is aloe gel, and everything is okay with my hair.