How Do You 'Poo?

I am sure your mind was in the gutter when you read today's title. Well, get out of there. I am talking about shampoo. For years I have tried shampoo, after shampoo, trying to find something I like. Currently, I am still searching. I did just start using the shampoo you see above. It is called Yes to Tomatoes. I like the way it smells and makes my hair feel. I might stick with it for awhile. We shall see.

But what I was really wanting to know is if anyone has considered giving up shampoo completely. I have been reading about all kinds of women leaving shampoo behind for good-old apple cider vinegar and baking soda. They call it "no-poo". When I first saw a title about it I thought it had something to do with not excreting fecal matter because it was bad for the environment or something. I really thought my tree-hugging friends were losing it (more than usual). Anyways, I was glad to discover it just meant not using shampoo because of its damaging effects on our hair, skin, and oh yeah, the environment.

Here are some fun facts about shampoo that I got from Nature Moms:
Following are just a small sample of the toxins found in most shampoos and their detrimental side effects.

Alcohol, isopropyl (SD-40) is a very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin’s moisture and natural immune barrier, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative, and is found in many skin and hair products, fragrances, antibacterial hand washes as well as shellac and antifreeze. It can act as a “carrier,” accelerating the penetration of other harmful chemicals into your skin.

It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients says isopropyl alcohol may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis, anesthesia and coma. A fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

FD&C color pigments are synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.

Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. It interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders.

Propylene glycol (PG) and butylene glycol are petroleum plastics which act as surfactants (wetting agents and solvents). They easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs, PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats!

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are detergents and surfactants that may pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers — and in 90 percent of personal care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and even death.

I haven't ventured into the "no-poo" world quite yet. I still hold onto some worldly possessions...like my shampoo. My worry is that if I start "no-pooing" (that sounds so weird) I might cross over into sainthood for all my selfless acts for the environment. (Last sentence to be read with heavy sarcasm.)

I get the idea of ditching the shampoo, but could I do it? I'm not sure. I am considering trying this for a week/month in the future to see if I could handle it. I understand that it takes some time so a month might be needed. We shall see. Let me know if you think I should try it.

Could you go without 'pooing? (You are welcome for the 3rd grade humor used today.)