‘Why use No Poo shampoo?’ is a commonly asked question from people first encountering the concept of not using traditional shampoos to keep their hair clean and healthy.
If you are new to the No Poo movement, you will be pleased to discover that there are many benefits of going No Poo.
Whilst some of the reasons are obvious to all, you will likely find some other benefits that might come as a surprise to you!
The reasons you should use No Poo shampoo are almost limitless. Traditional shampoos contain harmful chemicals such as sulfates and silicons. Whilst your hair may look healthy, when you change to a No Poo lifestyle you will see just how damaging they have been to your hair. No Poo uses natural, inexpensive ingredients that can repair this hair damage.
We all know the main reasons for changing to No Poo:
- Fewer harmful chemicals
- Healthier hair
- Shinier hair
However, did you know the lesser-known benefits of using No Poo shampoo? Keep reading to discover 15 reasons that you might not have expected!
Why Use No Poo Shampoo?
The No Poo movement of natural hair care is a movement that aims to move away from harmful chemicals found in traditional shampoos.
It is a concept based on the idea that we can improve the quality and health of our hair and scalp by only washing our hair with natural ingredients.
No Poo shampoo can either be made at home or purchased online or from natural health stores.
No Poo shampoo does not contain man-made chemicals that damage our hair.
In order for a shampoo to be classified as No Poo, it should not include the following (source 1,2,3,4,5):
1. Ethanolamines
These are used as an emulsifier to keep the other ingredients in the shampoo mixed together.
2. Fragrance
Whilst fragrances might smell nice, they are often another way that harmful chemicals reach our hair and scalp.
3. Octinoxate
Used within shampoo to maintain stability within the product.
Low levels are allowed but several studies have shown this chemical is harmful to animals and to the environment.
4. Oxybenzone
This is used to reduce the likelihood of the product being damaged by sunlight.
Oxybenzone has been reported as harmful to aquatic life, and could potentially disrupt human hormones.
5. Parabens
Whilst parabens do occur in nature, those used in shampoos are generally the ones that are developed in a laboratory.
Parabens are there to make a product keep safe for longer; a preservative.
Parabens have been linked to changes in hormone levels and harm fertility.
The problems with the long-term use of parabens are still to be confirmed.
6. Preservatives
Below are some preservatives used in traditional shampoos:
- Bronopol
- Diazolidinyl urea
- DMDM hydantoin
- Glyoxal
- Imidazlidinyl urea
- Polyoxymethylene urea
- Quaternium-15
- Sodium Hydroxymethyglycinate
7. Silicons
Silicones coat the hair making it look shiny. However, when your hair is coated in silicon it can’t take in any moisture.
Therefore, when used over a long period of time your hair can turn dry and brittle.
8. Sulfates
Here are two sulfates found within many traditional shampoos:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate:
This is used as a cleansing agent.
It is also a surfactant, which means it creates the suds that we expect when using traditional shampoo.
This sulfate has been linked to hair loss and is considered carcinogenic by many.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:
This is used for the same reasons as above. Users may experience the same side effects.
Other Reasons To Use No Poo Shampoo
Below are seven more reasons that answer the query ‘why use No Poo shampoo’.
These benefits are less well known, so might come as a surprise to you (sources 1,2):
1. Lice
If you have young children the likelihood is that at some point you have had to use strong chemical shampoos to rid their hair of head lice.
Going No Poo and using essential oil rinses or washes containing tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus oils can prevent and even eradicate head lice.
No one likes using strong chemicals, especially on children’s sensitive skin, so No Poo gives a way to stay healthy using only the power of nature.
Learn more about this in my article about essential oils.
2. Healthy Scalp Bacteria
It sounds quite unclean, but our scalp is home to millions of bacteria.
No Poo helps to keep the bacterial balance in harmony so that your scalp can produce healthy, strong, and well-nourished hair.
3. Use Anything
In No Poo there are almost no limits to the ingredients that you can use to keep your hair healthy.
If it is in your pantry, or growing in the garden (please check plant attributes before use as some are poisonous or require special preparation) you’ll be likely to find a No Poo recipe that can put it to good use.
4. Waterproofing
Our scalp naturally produces sebum.
Sebum is a nourishing, moisturizing coating that soaks into and coats our hair. It is like a natural waterproofer and can help eliminate frizz.
5. pH Levels
The scalp pH is around 5.5 and should remain so to keep it healthy.
Some shampoos, such as anti-dandruff ones, are set at 6.5 which is more alkaline than your scalp would normally be. With No Poo you can balance ingredients more easily, to achieve the correct pH balance.
For example, a baking soda wash followed by an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinses can be used to balance one another far more easily than trying to work out the pH of shampoo and having no way to restore the balance afterward.
Here are some other popular No Poo Methods you could try.
6. Coral Reefs
When we think about going No Poo we think about the chemicals that we are not using on our skin and hair, and how our hair will be healthier for it.
Rarely do we think about the chemicals flowing down the drain every time we use traditional shampoo, and where these harmful chemicals might end up.
Oxybenzone, which is not used in No Poo has been proven to be responsible for coral reef bleaching. Therefore, each time you No Poo you are helping to save the coral reefs around the world.
7. Curiosity
Curiosity is just as good as any other reason for starting a No Poo regime!
Since there are many ways to No Poo, there’s bound to be one for you.
Here are some well know No Poo hair wash ideas:
- Water only
- Sebum only
- DIY washes
- Natural hair masks
What Is The No Poo Shampoo Method?
Without writing a new ‘War & Peace’ length article for you, it is difficult to fully explain the No Poo shampoo method.
There are so many ways that people do No Poo shampoo, from DIY baking soda and ACV rinses to DIY soapnut shampoo.
You don’t even need to be great in the kitchen to be able to rustle up these hair shampoos. Instead, you simply need to be able to weigh ingredients and stir in boiled water.
Sometimes it isn’t even as difficult as that!
If making No Poo shampoo at home sounds far too time-consuming a job though, or you just don’t wish to do this, there are a growing number of No Poo shampoos available to buy online.
In brief, the No Poo shampoo method can include:
- Essential Oil Washes
- Herbal Washes
- Clay Masks
- Clay Washes and Rinses
- Baking Soda and ACV: Popular method that many people start with.
- Combinations of the above
Each method has its own benefits, but using the right No Poo method for your specific hair type will lead to healthier, more voluminous hair which is shinier and easier to manage.
Some methods will involve a greater time input than others though, e.g. masks. Whereas rinses can take under a minute to use at the end of a shower.
Ultimately, going No Poo means that you are not tied to only one method and shampoo.
Instead, you have the freedom to mix and match to ensure that your hair has the benefits of all the nutrients and moisture that it needs, and is as clean as it has ever been.
No Poo Shampoo Recipe
Making a shampoo that is pH balanced will help keep your scalp healthy, thus leading to healthier hair.
The most recognized No Poo shampoo recipe is that of baking soda followed by an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse. Read more about this No Poo wash method, here.
Here is another easy-to-produce No Poo shampoo recipe, to help give you great-looking hair:
Ingredients
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 ¾ cups of Aloe Vera
Method
- Mix together
- Take a small amount and use it as you would a traditional shampoo
- Keep the mixture in the fridge for a week, or freeze it.
If you want, try adding a drop or two of essential oil to add a scent to your hair.
Whilst the suds from washing hair with traditional shampoos are nice, you need to be aware that No Poo shampoo recipes do not contain the harmful chemicals that will soap up and produce suds.
Best No Poo Shampoo For Fine Hair
Fine hair can be difficult to No Poo with.
Many products simply sit on top of the hair and weigh fine hair down so that it always looks lank and greasy.
If you are looking for shampoo alternatives for fine hair, one of the most popular No Poo shampoo products on the market is the Ouai shampoo which is specifically designed for fine hair.
It includes both biotins for strength and chia seed oil for growth.
No Poo Shampoo For Curly Hair
It is often said that curly hair is the easiest hair type to have when transitioning to No Poo. However, sometimes we just want a little bit of extra help.
Therefore, if you want to No Poo with curly hair then Pacifica’s Pineapple curls may be the answer for you.
Silicon and sulfate-free, it is also a vegan and cruelty-free product to keep your curls in great health.
Always remember to check out the product reviews before purchasing, especially those from fellow No Poo’ers.
Conclusion
Everyone has their own individual reasons as to why they use No Poo shampoo. Maybe you wish to save yourself time, or maybe you want to save some money.
Whatever your reason, No Poo shampoo has many beneficial points, so stand proud and tell everyone why use No Poo shampoo.
The ease with which you can alter the product you use makes going No Poo a wonderfully versatile method to embrace. One that your hair will always thank you for.