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Haircare is a literal science and a daunting one to master at that.
Especially with so many opinions confidently thrown into the mix.
For every vote of confidence an ingredient receives, there seems to be someone else who swears against it.
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Some products are alwaysharmful, while others become problematic with overuse.
Meet the Experts
Sulfates
Sulfatesoften get a bad reputation when it comes to curly hair.
Usually found in shampoo, sulfates provide the rich lather we expect when washing our hair.
Williams, however, counters that they are not harmful when used appropriately.
Parabens
Parabensare used in many cosmetic products, as they provide preservative and fungicidal properties.
While the function parabens provide is essential, there are studies that have proven their potential for irritation.
The potential for irritation sparked by parabens is a concern for curly-haired people.
Curly hair tends to be more fragile and hair loss can be a concern as well.
Triclosan
While on the topic of preservatives, we’d be remiss not to mention Triclosan.
“Its a part of the preservative family and can dry out hair or cause allergic reactions.”
Neither creates a nourishing environment for lush, hydrated curls that are often sensitive to scalp irritation and dehydration.
Formaldehyde
The wordformaldehydelikely invokes images of science class and critters preserved in glass jars.
Our experts gave a resounding “yes.”
Zeichner explains that formaldehyde is a common cause of skin allergies, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Williams agrees and adds that it is a potential carcinogen as well.
Silicones
Silicones are often found in conditioners for their ability to smooth and soften the hair.
Silicones can provide some benefit to curls by locking in moisture and preventing frizz.
“I dont agree that these items should be necessarily avoided,” says Hardges.
However, there are other alcohols that have the potential to irritate the scalp and impact curly hair.
Drying alcohols, like propanol, can make already dry curly hair even more brittle and susceptible to damage.
Additionally, some alcohols have the potential to irritate the scalp.
Benzyl alcohol is often used as a preservative in products with fragrance.
It has the potential to cause contact dermatitis and as such can be damaging to the skin and scalp.
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