Happy New Year, everyone! LAO is back with its first article of 2021, which we hope will be a year of change (and of the end of the pandemic!).

This time of New Year's resolutions is the perfect moment to switch to natural cosmetics together! They're healthier for us and kinder to the environment: no more excuses!

The first cosmetic to change is obviously your shampoo; we all use it several times a week and don't always know what it really contains. And yet it's the key to a healthy scalp and soft, shiny hair, so it needs to be chosen with care!

LAO walks you through, step by step, how to choose your new natural shampoo.

Why go natural?

We all run into hair problems, whether it's dry hair, hair that tends to get oily, combination hair, itching, etc. And very often, the products we use are the cause.

"Conventional" shampoos contain controversial ingredients such as silicones, sulfates or endocrine disruptors, which have a harmful impact on hair and scalp and are polluting. To better understand and identify controversial ingredients in shampoos, click here. To go further, we also explain what effects silicones and quaterniums have on your hair.

Making a natural hair transition frees your hair from the residue of conventional shampoos and cleanses the scalp. The first job of a shampoo is still to wash without damaging either the scalp or the hair, because hair is "dead" matter, so any damage done cannot be repaired.

Once the switch to natural is done, you reveal your natural hair type and learn to care for it naturally. Your hair will thank you!

Switching to a 100% natural shampoo also lets you space out your washes, because a cleansed scalp gets oily less quickly. For inspiration, discover our natural hair routine with LAO.

How to go natural?

The first step to going natural is obviously to stop using products that contain controversial ingredients. If you've used them all your life, a clarifying wash will probably be needed to detox your hair and remove chemical residue. To learn more about clarifying, see this article. If you're still hesitating to take the leap, this experience report on the sebum treatment may help you see more clearly.

You can now replace your hair products with natural and/or plant-based ones, such as pure oils, which have many benefits for your hair. If you're looking for a French oil with good properties, see this article.

Finally, the most important product to change is your shampoo. But how do you choose a good natural shampoo?

How to choose your natural shampoo?

First, go on a hunt for sulfates and silicones. To recognize them (and all the other controversial ingredients), click here!

1) According to your hair type

There is a wide choice of natural shampoos, but they won't all be right for your hair. Choose one that suits your hair type and, above all, your scalp.

Not sure where to start? Take our hair diagnostic to identify your needs and get a routine tailored to your hair.

Straight, fine hair does best with shampoos with purifying active ingredients, as it tends to get oily again faster, while curly and tightly curled hair will thrive with shampoos rich in active ingredients such as oils.

So-called natural shampoos sold in supermarkets generally only have a cleansing function, without providing any care for the hair. And people with a specific concern will struggle to find what suits them.

2) The shampoo's characteristics

Are you looking for a natural, organic, cruelty-free shampoo, free of controversial ingredients...? With what percentage of naturalness? These are the main questions to ask yourself.

Also, pay attention to the claims and key ingredients of the natural shampoo according to its INCI list (ingredient list): a shampoo advertised as "rich in sweet almond oil" with this ingredient in last position on the list will certainly not have the expected effect!

3) Effectiveness and sensory experience

Natural shampoos have a bad reputation when it comes to effectiveness, but that's not necessarily the case! We suggest following the recommendations of someone close to you, reading reviews on a website, or trusting a transparent brand for your tests. You may need to try several shampoos before finding the one that suits you perfectly!

Also, washing your hair should remain a pleasure. Don't neglect the sensory experience in favor of naturalness: choose a natural shampoo whose scent you enjoy and that lathers well on your hair.

4) The budget

Budget is an essential factor in choosing your natural shampoo; each option fits a different budget:

If you have a small budget, you can start with powders, for example, which work very well for weekly use. An article on the best hair powders is coming soon.

If you set aside a medium budget for your cosmetics, some supermarket shampoos might satisfy you, as long as they meet the criteria listed above. Just don't expect much in terms of hair care.

Finally, if you don't have a specific budget, you can go to an organic store, a hairdresser or a parapharmacy to buy a natural shampoo that will cost a little more but will be French, made with very high-quality raw materials.

Also, a natural shampoo lets you space out your washes, so you'll use less than with a conventional shampoo: the price can then work out the same per use.

When buying a shampoo, you should also ask yourself what justifies its price. A very expensive shampoo won't necessarily be more effective than an inexpensive one.

So compare their active ingredients, where they come from and where they sit in the INCI list (they need to appear among the first ingredients to play a role in the shampoo). Find out about the brand, its values and what it conveys through its products.

A price should always be justifiable, and a high price is not necessarily a sign of a big margin for the brand, just as a low price is not a sign of a small margin.

LAO shampoos are 100% of natural origin and COSMOS Natural certified. The Nourishing Shampoo with organic hemp from Alsace is suited to dry hair, curly and damaged hair, while the Purifying Shampoo with organic nettle from the southwest of France is right for hair that tends to get oily and an irritated scalp. If you can't decide, the Shampoo Duo lets you combine the two depending on your needs, and the Detangling Conditioner completes the routine for lengths that are easy to style.

You can already find our products online, and soon in local shops!

Feel free to introduce our approach to your hairdresser or organic store!

Frequently asked questions