What Ingredients Should You Avoid in Shampoo?

Reading the ingredients list on the back of a shampoo bottle can feel a bit overwhelming.

Long ‘INCI’ names, unfamiliar ingredients and plenty of conflicting advice online make it difficult to know what's actually worth paying attention to.  

If you've searched “what ingredients should you avoid in shampoo?”, the answer isn't quite as simple as avoiding a list of "bad" ingredients. And technically, every ingredient (including water) is a chemical, so just avoiding “chemicals” is tricky too.

The truth is that every ingredient in shampoo has a purpose. Some work well for certain hair types but aren't the best choice for others.

Rather than looking for ingredients to completely avoid, it's more helpful to understand what each ingredient does and decide whether they suit your hair and scalp.

Let's start with the ingredients people ask about most often.

Why shampoo ingredients matter

All shampoos are made up of a combination of ingredients that perform a specific job.

These can include:

• cleansing ingredients (surfactants)
• conditioning ingredients
• preservatives
• fragrance
• thickeners
• botanical extracts

The balance of these ingredients determines how your shampoo performs.

For example, someone with oily hair might prefer a stronger cleanser, while someone with curly or colour-treated hair often benefits from gentler formulas that help retain moisture. A good shampoo will gently remove dirt and grease while maintaining moisture levels in the hair. 

Sulphates

Sulphates have been used in shampoo for decades, designed to cleanse your scalp and lift away dirt, oil and product build up. 

They're also responsible for creating the rich, foamy lather that many people associate with a good shampoo and having clean hair. They are also cheap to manufacture and buy.

However the downside is that because sulphates are such effective cleansers, they remove too much of your hair's natural oils.

Over time, this can leave some hair types feeling:

• drier
• more brittle
• prone to frizz
• harder to manage

This is particularly true if you have curly, colour-treated, damaged or naturally dry hair, as these hair types rely on their natural oils to stay healthy and hydrated.

That's why many people choose sulphate-free shampoo instead. Rather than stripping away everything on the hair and scalp, sulphate-free formulas use cleansing ingredients that are more gentle on your hair and scalp, removing dirt and excess oil while helping your hair retain more of its natural moisture.

At Hairy Jayne, all of our shampoos are sulphate free because we believe hair should feel clean without feeling stripped. Our gentle, naturally derived cleansers help keep your hair soft, healthy and balanced after every wash.

Silicones

Silicones are a group of ingredients commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, hair oils and styling products. If you like to check ingredient labels, they're often easy to spot because many end in -cone, -conol or -siloxane, for example Dimethicone, Amodimethicone or Cyclopentasiloxane. 

They work by coating each strand of hair with a lightweight film, making hair feel smoother, shinier and easier to manage. This creates the appearance of healthy, glossy hair, which is why silicones have become such a popular ingredient in conventional hair care products.

The downside is that this smoothing effect is only temporary. Rather than actually improving the health of your hair, silicones sit on the outside of the hair strands, masking dryness or damage instead of treating it. 

It has recently been noted too, that they are bad for the environment as they do not biodegrade in water or soil so persist and accumulate over time, harming fish and wildlife. 

Over time some silicone can build up on the hair, too. As this layer gets thicker, it can leave hair feeling:

• heavy
• flat
• dull
• less responsive to conditioners and treatments

For some people, especially those with fine, curly or colour-treated hair, this build-up can make hair feel less healthy over time. You may find yourself using more and more products just to recreate that freshly washed feeling.

This is one of the reasons many people choose silicone-free hair care. Without a layer of silicone coating the hair, conditioning ingredients can work directly on the hair itself, leaving it feeling naturally soft, lightweight and full of movement rather than simply smooth on the surface.

At Hairy Jayne, we've chosen to formulate all of our shampoos, shampoo bars, conditioners and hair mists without silicones. Instead of relying on ingredients that create a temporary cosmetic effect, we use naturally derived conditioning ingredients that help nourish the hair wash after wash. 

The result is hair that feels clean, healthy and manageable without product build-up weighing it down.

Parabens

Unlike sulphates or silicones, parabens aren't added to shampoo to change how your hair looks or feels. They're preservatives, added to traditional shampoo to prevent bacteria and mould from growing in products and to help keep them safe throughout their shelf life.

Over the years, there have been concerns about parabens being used in shampoo and other beauty products. This is due to the fact that they can mimic estrogen production, raising conversations about their impact on consumers' health and hormone balance. Although approved parabens continue to be considered safe for use in cosmetics by regulators in the UK and EU.

At Hairy Jayne, we've always focused on creating simple, thoughtfully formulated hair care products, which is why our shampoos are made without parabens, sulphates and silicones.

Synthetic fragrance

Fragrance is one of the most personal parts of any hair care product. Many conventional shampoos use fully synthetic fragrance blends to create long-lasting scents.

These blends can contain a wide range of ingredients, which are often listed simply as "Parfum" or "Fragrance" on the label. While they're widely used and considered safe for use in cosmetics, some people with sensitive scalps or skin prefer to avoid heavily fragranced products.

That's why many people are choosing shampoos scented with natural essential oils instead. As well as creating beautiful, naturally derived fragrances, essential oils can offer a more natural alternative for those looking to simplify their hair care routine and avoid unnecessary synthetic ingredients.

If you're looking for a shampoo with a more natural approach to fragrance, our natural shampoo collection is a great place to start.

How to read a shampoo ingredients label

Looking at the ingredients on a shampoo bottle can seem daunting at first, especially when there are lots of long ingredients and words you've never heard of. 

But once you know what to look for, it's much easier to understand what's in your shampoo and decide whether it's right for your hair.

A few simple tips:

Ingredients are listed in order

The ingredients used in the largest amounts are listed first, while those used in smaller amounts appear towards the end of the list.

For example, you'll usually find the main cleansing ingredients near the top, while fragrances, preservatives and botanical extracts often appear further down because they’re normally needed in smaller quantities.

Understanding this can give you a good idea of what a shampoo is really made from. If gentle, naturally derived cleansing ingredients appear near the top of the list, you'll know they make up a significant part of the formula. On the other hand, if an ingredient you're trying to avoid appears near the top, it may be worth looking for an alternative.

Don't judge an ingredient by its name

Most ingredients in shampoo have scientific names, even those made from natural ingredients, so it's completely normal to come across words you've never seen before. The good news is that you don't need to understand every single ingredient to make an informed choice.

If you're looking for a shampoo without sulphates, silicones or parabens, there are a few names worth recognising:

• Sulphates often include Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES).
• Silicones are often easy to spot because many end in -cone, -conol or -siloxane, such as Dimethicone, Amodimethicone or Cyclopentasiloxane.
• Parabens usually end in -paraben, such as Methylparaben, Propylparaben or Butylparaben.

Look for products that suit your needs

Rather than trying to memorise every ingredient, think about what you and your hair actually needs.

All hair, especially dry or colour-treated hair, benefits from a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo. If you're trying to avoid build-up, a silicone-free formula could be a good choice. If you’re vegan, look for one labelled as vegan ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, look for one with natural or no fragrance.

Choosing products that match your overall needs is often much more helpful than worrying about individual ingredients on their own.

What shampoo ingredients to look for instead

Rather than focusing only on what isn't in your shampoo, think about what actually is on the ingredients list.

If you're looking for a gentle everyday shampoo, you might choose one that contains:

• plant-derived cleansing ingredients
• botanical extracts
• moisturising ingredients (such as glycerine or aloe vera)
• natural oils and butters
• essential oils for fragrance

At Hairy Jayne, all of our shampoos are:

• sulphate free
• silicone free
• paraben free
• vegan
• cruelty free
• handmade in small batches

Whether you're looking for extra moisture, lightweight cleansing or a plastic-free shampoo bar or conditioner bar, you'll find a hair care product designed to work with your hair, not against it.

Frequently asked questions

What ingredients should you avoid in shampoo?

There isn't a single list of ingredients that everyone should avoid, it depends on what you're looking for from your hair care. 

However, many people choose shampoos without sulphates, silicones and parabens because they prefer gentler formulas that support healthy looking hair without relying on harsh cleansers or ingredients that can build up over time. 

If you're looking for a simpler, more natural routine, choosing a shampoo made with naturally derived ingredients would be an ideal choice. 

Are sulphates bad?

Sulphates aren't inherently harmful, but they are powerful cleansing ingredients. 

While they work well for removing oil and product build-up, they can also strip away your hair's natural oils, leaving some hair types feeling dry, brittle or frizzy with regular use. 

That's why many people with dry, coloured or curly hair choose sulphate-free shampoos that cleanse more gently while helping to maintain moisture.

Are silicones bad for hair?

Silicones can make hair feel smooth and shiny, but they do this by coating the outside of the hair rather than improving its condition. 

Over time, some silicones can build up, leaving hair feeling heavy or dull. Silicone-free hair care products focus on nourishing the hair itself, making them a popular choice for anyone looking for lightweight, healthy-looking hair without product build-up.