How to choose a natural shampoo for your scalp type

Washing your hair should be one of the simplest of tasks, but in today’s world even the simplest of tasks can become complicated and a source of great debate. How often should you wash your hair, which shampoo is best, do I choose a natural or synthetic shampoo and the list goes on. Some people don’t believe in shampooing, citing the scalp doesn’t need to be cleaned and the shampoo just damages the hair. As consumers, it leaves you thinking well, what’s the truth, what’s out-and-out fiction, and what is just someone’s opinion.

We thought we would answer a few of these questions from a Trichology perspective and as experts who understand the physiology of the scalp & hair. Trichologists take a holistic approach in dealing with scalp & hair disorders and offer qualified advice and recommendations. Our focus is on what’s best for you, best for your health and wellbeing and what products you should use to get the best results.

A healthy scalp has a pH of around 5.5 and maintaining a healthy scalp is critical if you want to avoid scalp issues. Each follicle that resides in the scalp contains a hair and an oil gland (sebaceous gland).

The scalp produces a natural, waxy oil called sebum from the sebaceous glands and some people produce more of this oil than others. Sebum plays an important role in protecting your skin from infection and helping to keep it moist. However, when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, it can build up on your scalp along with the dead skin cells, sweat and other debris. This oily build-up if left on the scalp becomes a breeding ground for yeasts and bacteria which trigger scalp conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis & folliculitis to name a few. Scalp disorders can also cause unpleasant symptoms such as itch, inflammation and redness. Water alone cannot remove this oily build-up as oil and water do not mix and this is where shampoo comes into play.

Washing your hair every 2-3 days is the consensus amongst the trichology and dermatology experts for normal to oilier scalps and for dry scalps a little less frequently. The aim is to keep the scalp feeling clean and comfortable.

A shampoo is a foaming cleanser designed to remove the sweat, excess oils & general build-up from the surface of the scalp and roots of the hair. In choosing a shampoo you should think about the needs of your scalp and when choosing a hair conditioner, the needs of your hair. Shampoos are formulated with specific ingredients including anionic surfactants to attract the oils and dirt, capturing them in micelles which then wash away with the water.

As mentioned, your scalp type, sensitive, oily, dry etc should be the determining factor in your choice of shampoo. The Holistic Hair shampoo range contains plant-based surfactants to gently cleanse and botanical actives that help to keep the scalp and hair healthy.

Pure Shampoo is suitable for most scalp & hair types including children’s, women in pregnancy or very allergic & reactive skin types. This shampoo contains Aloe Vera, Manukau Honey & Vitamin e.

Sensitive Shampoo is for oilier scalps that are prone to itchiness and have a tendency to feel irritated and sensitive. Actives include Apple Cider Vinegar, Lavender & chamomile essential oils.

Hydrating Shampoo is for drier scalps or scalps that are exposed to regular colour or chemical treatments. Hydrating contains Avocado oil, Geranium & Palmarosa essential oils.

Quinoa Pro NPNF™ Colour Protect Shampoo  is a sulfate, paraben & formaldehyde free shampoo designed to nourish scalp & hair exposed to regular colour or chemical treatments. This shampoo is also extremely suited to curly hair types.

For information on our treatment products click here.