Have you ever wondered why some shampoos and conditioners leave your hair feeling less than amazing? We're here to spill the tea on the ingredients you should avoid in your hair care products. From the culprits that strip your hair of its natural shine to the sneaky additives that might be causing more harm than good – we've got you covered.  

Here at Eva NYC we use powerful ingredients and keep out harsh chemicals. Learn more about this below! 

Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Care

It might be time to take a closer look at the ingredients in your hair products, especially your shampoo. Let’s dive into the top 3 shampoo ingredients to avoid: 
 

Sulfates: Sulfates are commonly found in hair care products, specifically shampoos, because they work as cleaning agents to create a lather and remove dirt and oil. However, they can cause scalp irritation and strip your hair of its natural, healthy oils, leaving hair dry, brittle, and frizzy. You’ve most likely seen the abbreviations SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) popping up on labels. Sulfates are responsible for that satisfying lather but can be quite harsh on your hair. If you're looking to maintain moisture and protect your hair's natural oils, it’s best to steer clear of sulfates. 

If you have these hair concerns or treatments, you’ll benefit from sulfate-free products: 

  • Sensitive skin or scalp 

  • Dry skin and hair 

  • Fine hair 

  • Frizzy hair 

  • Dyed or chemically-treated hair   

Parabens: Parabens are artificial preservatives used to increase the shelf life of beauty products. These sneaky chemicals have raised concerns about their potential links to hormonal disruption and other health issues. As parabens wash off our hair and down the drain, it can have an environmental impact by contributing to pollution and affecting our water sources and ecosystems.  

Phthalates: Phthalates are chemicals used in beauty products to help bind or lubricate ingredients. They are also commonly found in hundreds of other products like plastics, toys, detergents, and food packaging. Some phthalates have been phased out of the beauty industry, but a common phthalate that’s still found in beauty products is DEP, which is often found in fragrances.  

Other ingredients to keep an eye out for are: 

MIT/MCITs: MIT & MCIT are criticized as possible skin irritants. 

Mineral Oil: Mineral Oil is a derivative produced from the refinement of petroleum. 

Nanoparticles: Materials that are small enough in size to negatively affect human and environmental health during bio-absorption. 

Triclosan/Triclocarbons: These antimicrobials have been shown to be disruptive and harmful, particularly to the endocrine systems. 

BHT/BHAs: Studies show many health conditions associated with exposure to Butylated Hydroxyanisole preservatives. 

Oxybenzone/Benzophenones: Research suggests potential human health effects, as well as high levels of environmental damage, including coral reef bleaching. 

Here at Eva NYC, we make high quality hair care, made responsibly. We want to do right by your hair and the planet by creating clean, safe, and effective products. All of our products are certified cruelty free through Leaping Bunny, certified vegan and GMO free.  

Learn more about Eva NYC’s commitment to clean and the over 1300 ingredients we never formulate with here.

What Ingredients Are Good in Hair Products? 

Ingredients

 

When looking at the ingredients list in your shampoos, conditioners, and styling products check for the following ingredients: 

Natural Oils: Look for hair products that include natural oils that are known to smooth or nourish, such as argan oil, sunflower seed oil, or coconut oil.  

Which Eva NYC collection contains natural oils? Many of our products contain natural oils, including our Frizz Fixer Smoothing Collection that features argan oil, a nutrient-rich oil that’s known to smooth. Also check out our best-selling Therapy Session Deep Conditioning Hair Mask that is infused with jojoba oil, which is known to nourish! 

Plant Extracts: Based on your hair needs, look for products with plant extracts known to support certain benefits like resilience or moisturization. Some examples of plant extracts used in hair products include red algae, snow mushroom, aloe vera, and poppy seed. 

Which Eva NYC collection contains plant extracts? Many of our products contain plant extracts, including collections like our NEW Repair Ritual Strength Collection, Blonde, and Volumizing. Repair Ritual Strength Collection is infused with red algae, known to aid in overall resilience, and the Damage Defender Strength Treatment is infused with bamboo extract which is known to promote elasticity.

For blondes, our Tone It Down Blonde Collection is formulated with wild cherry bark which is known to moisturize. For fine hair types seeking volume, our Lift Off Volumizing Collection  uses linden bud, which is known to support voluminous hair.  

Humectants: For dry hair types, look for products with humectants. Humectants are a group of ingredients that attract moisture and help to maintain hydration when used in haircare, skincare, and more. 

Which Eva NYC collection contains humectants? Our H2-Whoa Hydrating Collection features a blend of low and high weight hyaluronic acid, known to easily absorb and lock in moisture.  

Want to know what's inside your favorite shampoo or conditioner? We've got you covered! You can now visit our product pages to get an in-depth look at every ingredient that goes into your go-to hair care products. We break it down, making it easy for you to understand each element's purpose and benefits.