What makes natural shampoo so drying?

[amcal]

I've tried several different brands of "natural" shampoo. All of them seem to strip and dry my hair.

I talked to my hair stylist who is a natural minded person and she agrees. She says she would love to use more natural products but has yet to come across a shampoo that doesn't dry hair.

Anyone know why natural shampoos seem to be so drying?

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by amcal

I've tried several different brands of "natural" shampoo. All of them seem to strip and dry my hair.

I talked to my hair stylist who is a natural minded person and she agrees. She says she would love to use more natural products but has yet to come across a shampoo that doesn't dry hair.

Anyone know why natural shampoos seem to be so drying?

I've never had this experience with natural shampoos. Care to name names, and I'll suggest some alternatives for you?

ETA: I've tried just about everything after working in body care departments for 6+ years.

[amcal]

Off the top of my head, I've tried Giovanni, Jason, Yes To Carrots, and Organix but, I know I've tried a ton more.

My hair is fairly fine, below the shoulder, I highlight and I have an oily scalp so I wash my hair every day.

I find with natural shampoos, I have to use a lot more conditioner on my ends or my hair is dry and brittle feeling. But, using more conditioner makes my hair limp.

[Chamomile Girl]

You know now that I think about it I find Giovanni to be very drying too... Jason shampoos are kind of crappy and I've not tried the other two.

The brand I love is Aubrey Organics, and their Blue Chamomile shampoo would probably work for you (make sure its the blue chamomile and not the regular chamomile). That stuff is great. Right now I use MGA (Maximum Green Alchemy) shampoo and this is another wonderful product. I can get away with using both of these shampoos without conditioner.

Another great option is John Master's Organics evening primrose shampoo. Use a detangler instead of a conditioner so your hair doesn't get loaded down. Both John Masters and Aubrey have a good one. (Or use a apple cider vinegar rinse...works for some not for others).

[~Nancy~]

Does Aubrey shampoo work well if you have hard water?

I have switched almost all of my care products to natural, healthier alternative. But I just haven't found a shampoo that works.

Like the OP, I have straight, fine hair. I color and highlight my hair,and I have to wash my hair everyday.

[Chamomile Girl]

What I have found with hard water is that you have to rotate their blue chamomile shampoo with the regular chamomile shampoo because the latter is clarifying. I have hard water where I am now (what a PITA) and this is what I do. I think it depends on how hard the water is though, and how prone your hair is to gunky buildup.

Also if you buy your products from Whole Foods they just started requiring receipts for returns...but will still happily take any body care products that don't work for you. Just because you buy something that doesn't work doesn't mean you have to keep i.

[Piglet68]

May I suggest shampoo bars? They are made of natural soaps, from rich fats and oils. They are not detergents, as some natural shampoos can be. They are about as pure a cleaning agent as you can get.

I use a rinse of diluted white vinegar after shampooing (I just spray it in after washing my hair and leave it in) and that's all the conditioner I need.

If you have hard water, however, it might not work.

[raksmama]

I had the exact same experience.
We use all organic products but I was ready to give up on organic hair care and go back to a drug store variety! All the natural shampoos made my hair dry. By chance I got Wen shampoo as a present and loved it. When I wanted to buy it I was horrified by the price.
Then I read in THIS forum that Wen shampoo is actually just a conditioner and you can get the same results just by using any conditioner.
It is so true!
It is so easy! Just use conditioner to wash your hair! Use it the same way you would use shampoo.

I want to thank whoever mentioned this in the other thread!
Thanks!

[MoonStarFalling]

My guess is that natural shampoos don't have the teflon like chemicals that leave hair feeling smoother. I use avalon organics and over the course of months, with hard water, it did seem to try my hair out so I started using a deep conditioner (I normally don't condition at all). I have processed hair. I'm going to get some more California Baby and switch off and on as I found CB to be too moisturizing. Dr B never worked for me when we had hard water. An ACV rinse is good though.

[cocoanib]

I 2nd the shampoo bars. Another thing you can try is diluted Bronner's.
A small splash of that in water works well without being too drying.

[shawnward1066]

If your hairs got dry with other natural shampoos then i tell you about a organic shampoo. (John Masters Zinc & Sage Shampoo with Conditioner) with this organic shampoo you don' have any problem. Use this only once time you will see great effect.

[chely7425]

I have the Juice Organics brightening shampoo and it is definitely not drying!

[The4OfUs]

I'll second the Bronner's. I made a homemade body/hair wash with it and put it in a spray bottle. 3 sprays on a body pouf does my body, and one spray on my head does my hair/face. Ummmm, lemme grab the recipe (insert telephone hold musak):

Here are all 3 I copied from instructables.com - I only tried the first one so far, and love it - the whole family uses it from head to toe (it's obviously not tear free if you have littles, but mine can keep their eyes closed at this point).

Shampoos
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap - I use unscented, but you can choose your favorite
1/2 teaspoon jojoba, grapeseed, or other light vegetable oil

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a spray bottle. Swirl/shake before use.
This mixture isn't as thick as commercial shampoos. I am really impressed with how much lather I get from it though!

Stimulating:
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap - I use unscented, but you can choose your favorite
2 tsp jojoba oil
1/8 tsp peppermint ess oil
1/8 tsp tea tree ess. oil

Quenching:
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap - your favorite scent
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon glycerin
1/4 teaspoon avocado oil or jojoba oil

[CookiePie]

I do conditioner only washes, & it is wonderful! Check out the long hair community for more info! And yes my hair is clean!