Aqua, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Lauryl Glucoside, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Melaleuca Quinquenervia Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Hydrolysed Elastin, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil, Citric Acid, Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol
The primary ingredient in any shampoo (other than water) are surfactants; they provide the detergent action that cleans your hair from oils. Surfactants work better in an alkaline product; thus, to enhance cleaning power, this is the level that shampoos are often formulated. Alkaline agents work to lift the cuticle allowing access to the inner regions where internal lipids will be partially removed during every wash cycle. Removal of hair lipids gives the sensory perception of dry, brittle, and fragile hair over time.
Lipids are fatty, waxy, or oily compounds that are insoluble in polar solvents such as water. Along with keratin, they make up the foundation of our hair structure. If keratin is the building block of the hair, lipids are the cement. The hair fibre comprises lipids that form a ‘glue’ that binds or holds all the cells together. Lipids form the cell membrane complex that binds the interior portions of the hair fibre and seals the cuticle. The lipids in the hair fibre determine the hair's tensile strength, manageability, and resistance to breakage.
The morphology of hair means it binds readily with positively charged ions like hydrogen in alkaline solutions; this makes it extremely sensitive to the pH of shampoo. Acidic hair products cannot raise the cuticle and can only remove oils from the hair's surface, not the intercellular lipids that hold the hair fibre together like glue.
The amount of calcium carbonate and magnesium sulphate present in water determines its hardness. The effects of calcium and magnesium deposition increase with every wash, so the ends and mid-lengths will be the more affected areas. Acidic shampoos help remove calcium and magnesium mineral deposits for softer hair that tangles less.
Calcium is an alkaline metal with high reactivity. Calcium from tap water complexes with lipids in the hair strands, and calcium fatty acid deposits form between cuticle layers. Calcium fatty deposits can grow quite large enough to cause the structure to bulge, affecting the hair fibre's mechanical properties. Calcium fatty acid complexes leave hair brittle and prone to snapping with light combing force. Calcium complexes also leave a fine white layer on the hair, making hair appear matt and without lustre.
Magnesium sulphate attracts and binds molecules from its surroundings. It attracts and binds molecules from its surroundings to itself. When magnesium sulphate is applied to hair, it does not affect the covalent bonds between sulphur atoms. It does affect the physical crosslinks caused by hydrogen bonds tightening the pattern of curly hair. Magnesium sulphate forms large crystals, and these structures roughen the hair and increase tangling. The crystals formed by magnesium sulphate leave the hair vulnerable to dehydration.
Our Foaming Wash formula is acidified with citric acid, a natural ingredient that binds to minerals in hard water. Citric acid, therefore, naturally softens hard water and acts as a chelating agent that helps shampoos effectively remove hard water deposits without stripping natural lipids from the hair.
If your water has a hardness greater than 212 ppm (212 grams per litre), consider installing a soft water system or washing hair with distilled water. Check your tap water with an inexpensive hard water strip testing kit.
Lathering shampoo into the hair takes a fair degree of rubbing and scrubbing to distribute the product and create a good amount of cleansing bubbles. This technique may produce a fantastic lather but also ruffles the hair cuticle, leading to more tangles and knots. In much the same way that curly and coily hair benefits from a gentle shampoo formula, it will also benefit from gentle treatment when washing. Our Foaming Wash allows the shampoo to be gently stroked through hair without scrubbing or a harsh lathering process. This leaves cuticles lying flat and intact for smoother, more manageable hair.
SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE
Saccharide isomerate provides the hair and scalp instant deep hydration for up to 72 hours
NETTLE EXTRACT
Nettle has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce scalp inflammation and promote healthy hair growth
ELASTIN PROTEIN
Elastin protein provides an elastic protein structure to the hair, increasing the strength and elasticity of the hair strand
MILD SURFACTANTS
Squeaky clean but wonderfully smooth hair with significantly less risk of lipid loss
Foam application significantly reduces tangles and knots during washing
The low pH formula prevents the stripping of lipids and hard water deposits
This ultra-mild formula reduces breakage leaving hair smooth and clean