Happy New Year, everyone! LAO returns with its first article of 2021, which we hope will be marked by change (and the end of the pandemic!).

This time of New Year's resolutions is the perfect time to switch to natural cosmetics together! They're healthier for us and more environmentally friendly: you have no more excuses!

The first cosmetic to change is obviously shampoo ; we all use it several times a week and don't always know what it really contains. And yet, it is the guarantor of a healthy scalp and soft, shiny hair , so you have to choose it carefully!

LAO explains to you step by step how to choose your new natural shampoo .

Why go natural?

We all experience hair problems , whether it's dry hair, oily hair, combination hair, itchy hair, etc. And often, the products we use are the cause.

Conventional shampoos contain controversial ingredients such as silicones, sulfates , and endocrine disruptors that are harmful to hair and scalp and are pollutants. To better understand and identify controversial ingredients in shampoos, click here .

Achieving a natural hair transition allows you to free your hair from residue from conventional shampoos and cleanse the scalp . The primary function of a shampoo is to wash without damaging either the scalp or the hair , because the latter being "dead" matter, the damage caused cannot be repaired.

Once you've successfully gone natural , you'll reveal your hair type and learn how to take care of it naturally. Your hair will reward you !

Switching to a 100% natural shampoo also allows you to space out your shampoos because the cleansed scalp becomes greasy less quickly.

How to go natural?

The first step to going natural is obviously to stop using products containing controversial ingredients . If you've been using them all your life, clarifying with baking soda will probably be necessary to detoxify your hair and remove chemical residue. To learn more about clarifying , see this article .

You can now replace your hair products with natural and/or plant-based treatments such as pure oils that will have many benefits for your hair. If you are looking for a French oil with good properties , see this article .

Finally, the most important skincare product to change is your shampoo. But how do you choose a good natural shampoo ?

How to choose your natural shampoo?

First, let's hunt for sulfates and silicones. To identify them (as well as all the other controversial ingredients), click here !

1) According to your hair type

There are a wide range of natural shampoos available, but not all of them will be good for your hair . Choose one that is suitable for your hair type and, above all, for your scalp.

Straight and fine hair will benefit from shampoos with purifying active ingredients , as they tend to become greasy more quickly, while curly and frizzy hair will benefit from shampoos rich in active ingredients such as oils .

So-called natural shampoos sold in supermarkets will generally only have a cleansing function, without providing any hair care . And people affected by a specific problem will have difficulty finding what they are looking for.

2) The characteristics of the shampoo

Are you looking for a natural, organic, cruelty-free, and controversial ingredient-free shampoo ? What percentage of natural ingredients should it contain? Here are the main questions to ask yourself.

Also, pay attention to the claims and key ingredients of natural shampoo according to its INCI list (list of ingredients): a “nourishing shampoo with sweet almond oil” with this ingredient in last position on the list will certainly not have the desired effect!

3) Efficiency and sensoriality

Natural shampoos have a bad reputation for their effectiveness, but that's not necessarily the case! We recommend following a friend's recommendation, reviews on a website, or trusting a transparent brand to test them. You may need to try several shampoos before finding the one that's perfect for you!

Furthermore, washing your hair should remain a pleasure. Don't neglect sensoriality in favor of naturalness : choose a natural shampoo whose fragrance you like and which lathers well on your hair .

4) The budget

Budget is an essential element in choosing your natural shampoo , each solution adapts to a different budget:

If you're on a budget, you can start using powders, for example, which are great for weekly use. An article on the best hair powders is coming soon.

If you have a medium budget for your cosmetics, some supermarket shampoos might be suitable for you, provided they meet the criteria mentioned above. However, you shouldn't expect much in the way of results in terms of hair care .

Finally, if you don't have a specific budget, you can go to an organic store, a hairdresser or a parapharmacy to buy a natural shampoo which will have a slightly higher price but which will be French with very good quality raw materials .

In addition, a natural shampoo allows you to space out washes, so you will use less than a conventional shampoo : the price can then be equivalent in relation to the price/use.

When buying shampoo, you should also ask yourself what justifies its price . A very expensive shampoo will not necessarily be more effective than a cheap one.

Then compare their active ingredients, their origin and the place they occupy in the INCI list (they must appear in the first ingredients for them to have a role in the shampoo). Find out about the brand, its values and what it conveys through its products .

A price must always be justifiable, and a high price does not necessarily indicate a high margin for the brand, just as a low price does not indicate a low margin.

LAO shampoos are 100% natural and COSMOS Natural certified. There is one with organic hemp from Alsace suitable for dry , curly and damaged hair and another with organic nettle from the southwest for oily hair and irritated scalp .

You can now find our products online, and soon in local stores!

Don’t hesitate to present our approach to your hairdresser or organic store!