Tear-Free Shampoos Aren't Really Tear-Free

Tear-Free Shampoos Aren't Really Tear-Free

 

Most baby shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate; a chemical responsible for the suds produced by most soaps. This chemical, however, stings badly if it comes into contact with the eyes. Many believe that baby shampoo manufacturers have turned to other chemical additives to help neutralize this stinging. Tear-free shampoos aren't really tear-free, rather, they contain other chemicals that work by numbing or paralyzing the tear ducts, reducing the reaction the eyes have to the sodium lauryl sulfate.

The evidence behind this claim varies, but tear-free shampoos are being criticized more harshly for containing these chemicals that numb or anesthetize the tear ducts, therefore, making it "tear-free." If the tear ducts are temporarily paralyzed, they can't produce and excrete tears as they would normally.

Numbing agents are not easily recognized on the label
Reading a list of ingredients off of a baby shampoo bottle can feel as if you're trying to read something written in Greek. Of course, baby shampoo companies aren't going to list an ingredient in a recognizable form like, "anesthetic," "numbing agent" or "tear duct paralyzer." Ingredients aren't easy to interpret to those who don't recognize them. Ingredients that contain the prefix "PEG" followed by a number are often responsible for the anesthetic effect of baby shampoos on the tear ducts. What's even worse, is that scientists are still unsure exactly what kind of impact PEG's have on human health.

 

• Shampoo contains chemical detergents called surfactants, which attract both water and oil. While you lather, surfactants attract oil containing dirt and grease away from your hair . The water-attracting properties of shampoo allow it to wash away easily when you apply water.

Tearless Shampoo

• Baby shampoos are designed with surfactants that are milder. Surfactants used in adult shampoos are anionic, while baby shampoos have a higher percentage of nonionic detergents.

Anionic vs. Nonionic

• An anionic surfactant is a detergent with high acidity, made of chemicals containing more electrons than protons. The reactivity of anionic detergents allows it to clear more oil and dirt, but causes more irritation with skin or eye membranes. Nonionic surfactants do not have as many reactive ions to release, cleaning less dirt but causing less eye irritating

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Arbonne ABC Baby Care

 

ABC Hair & Body Wash

A gentle, ultra-mild, tear-free cleanser for hair and delicate skin. This tear-free hair and body wash helps replace the skin’s natural oils, even as it cleans, moisturizes and conditions. KEY INGREDIENTS: aloe barbadensis leaf extract, oat     The Arbonne Differance:    Pure, Simple and Beneficial