Shampoos are specifically formulated to cleanse hair by dissolving sebum (natural oil) that coats each individual hair fibre, while simultaneously clearing away residue left by styling products or hard water minerals.
Everyday shampoos are mild cleansers made from simple ingredients designed to restore normal sebum production and leave hair soft, shiny and hydrated. They typically include surfactants, preservatives and fragrance.
Detergents
Shampoos differ from soap in that they’re typically composed of synthetic detergents instead. Detergents are amphiphilic molecules with lipophilic (oil-attracting) ends and hydrophilic (water-attracting) ends that bind with sebum or oily soil and allow it to be washed away using water.
Shampoos typically consist of a combination of surfactants to offer various levels of cleaning depending on the hair type and condition being addressed–be it normal, oily, dyed or permed. Detergents include anionic, non-ionic and cationic options.
Sodium laurate and cocamide DEA are primary surfactants used to enhance the foaming action of shampoos, while alkanolamides and methylcellulose add thickness. Emollients such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, dimethicone and quatemium 80 may also be added for additional hair protection against drying effects of surfactants.
Preservatives
Modern shampoos contain far more than simple cleansing agents; they contain ingredients specifically targeted at addressing specific hair issues such as dandruff, hair loss or growth issues. Conditioners, volumizers and oils may also be included as well as foam boosters, thickeners and opacifiers as well as preservatives to inhibit microbial growth as well as any special additives or preservatives to prevent further problems with bacteria growth.
Cosmetic chemists craft shampoo formulas in laboratories. They must decide upon aesthetic features like the thickness and color of the shampoo; also how well it cleans; its aroma; costs associated with ingredients and ease of storing it. Finally, cosmetic chemists must select which preservative type to use as artificial preservatives such as nitrates, sulfites and sorbates can pose health hazards that must also be carefully considered when creating new formulas.
Fragrances
Fragrances are complex mixtures of chemicals used to give products their aroma. Made up of several dozen or more components, fragrances have become a source of cosmetic contact dermatitis complaints and manufacturers do not need to disclose all fragrance ingredients as these are considered trade secrets.
Synthetic fragrances differ significantly from their natural counterparts in that they do not depend on forestry and animals for production, being developed in laboratories can replicate natural accords without harvesting, harming wildlife or damaging forests iii. Furthermore, fragrance ingredients may cause adverse health effects including neurotoxicity i, neurotoxicity ii and endocrine disruption iii; additionally they can change over time; thus perfume may smell different after three to five years in its bottle.
Opacifiers
Shampoos contain preservatives to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth that could spoil their product, such as DMDM hydantoin or methylparaben. Opacifiers may also be added for opaqueness purposes.
The global opacifier market is expanding quickly. Demand for these ingredients is being driven by several factors. One such driver is their use in architectural coatings and decorative materials for buildings. Personal care industries also rely heavily on them in lotions and creams to give their products smooth textures with opaque appearances.
Stringent government regulations surrounding product safety and environmental sustainability are driving market demand for opacifiers. Companies who adhere to these regulations gain a competitive edge, as well as develop strong client relationships that foster innovation and business expansion. Furthermore, top manufacturers invest heavily in R&D to guarantee the quality of their products.
Special additives
Shampoos can be enhanced visually with dyes, including both synthetic (FD&C) and natural pigments, to create an eye-catching array of hues. Preservatives help extend shelf life by protecting from bacteria growth; examples of such preservatives are parabens and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients like propoxyethanol and phenoxyethanol.
Shampoo’s primary function is to purify hair and scalp. Surfactants – molecules with hydrophilic (water loving) ends that attract dirt and oil – work to trap this debris, making it easier for water to rinse away with no residue left behind. Common surfactants used in shampoo are sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and SLES while milder detergents include ALES/ALS which have similar qualities as SLS but are less harsh, often used to address oily or sensitive scalps.
