Have you been making lifestyle changes recently? Looking for more natural alternatives for food and self-care? Well then, let’s introduce you to Raw Sugar shampoos.
Raw Sugar Shampoos are a cleaner alternative to regular shampoos. They use several organic, plant-derived ingredients. It doesn’t contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, silicones, etc. This makes it a great option as an effective cleanser, which also tames frizzy hair.
The shampoos also leave your hair smooth, soft, and more manageable. It has plant extracts containing vitamins, minerals, etc. These strengthen and restore hair health. All these benefits, without too many synthetic compounds that damage hair in the long run.
The Raw Sugar shampoo formulation is based on natural extracts and wholesome ingredients. So it may be safer on your hair than chemical-heavy shampoos. The only possible risk is mild allergies to some ingredients.
*Please note that the efficacy of the shampoo depends on your hair type. Different people have varying reactions to the Raw Sugar formulations. What we have described are general observations.
Table of Contents
Raw Sugar shampoo ingredients
These are the common ingredients across all varieties of Raw Sugar shampoos.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
This is a mild surfactant derived from coconut oil. It helps the shampoo to lather well. It is anti-static, which smoothens fly-away hair.
This helps in easier maintenance and styling. It is also less severe than sulfates, so it doesn’t aggravate the scalp as much as other surfactants.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Sulfonates are used to increase foaming/lather. It also is also used as a thickening agent. It deep cleans the hair. But it could dry out weak, under-nourished hair.
Sodium Lauryl/ Cocoyl Isethionate
These are also mild surfactants. They have detergent as well as emulsifying properties. They break down dirt, grime, and oil, suspending it in the shampoo/water. This allows it to be washed away thoroughly.
Compounds having similar functions are found in all shampoos. This includes Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucoside, and Decyl Glucoside.
These cleansing agents are all plant-derived. They give the hair a silky texture and shiny look. They are great foaming agents, especially for a primarily plant-based shampoo.
Apart from these basic ingredients, each of the Raw Sugar shampoos has its own specific set of additives. Depending on the purpose of the shampoo, they may have different essential oils like olive fruit oil, jojoba seed oil, rosemary leaf oil, pressed carrot seed oil, etc.
They also have plant extracts like agave leaf, Aloe vera leaves, mango butter extract, etc.
Is Raw Sugar shampoo good for curly hair?
If you have a head full of curls, you know how hard upkeep is. Fortunately, the Raw Sugar Truly Unruly shampoo is designed for curly/wavy tresses.
Cleaning curly hair can be tough, because of its thickness. But the Raw Sugar Shampoo penetrates into the scalp, removing product build-up. It also curbs excessive frizz. This makes it easier to maintain. The only issue is that the shampoo may increase tangles.
The cleansers in the shampoo are quite strong. These could remove the oils and moisture, making hair dry. Dry curly hair tends to knot up much faster.
Is Raw Sugar shampoo good for oily hair?
It depends. Raw Sugar shampoos have effective sulfonates and glucosides. These compounds remove oil and grease from hair follicles and ends. To minimize the drying effect of surfactants, quite a few essential oils have been added. They restore moisture balance, which can be disrupted by strong detergents.
For most hair types, this makes your tresses soft and bouncy. But for some hair/scalp types, these moisturizing components can remain on the scalp.
This causes residue or build-up over time. This makes the scalp itself very waxy or oily. It can increase itchiness and dandruff. A greasy scalp can make the rest of your dull and lifeless.
Is Raw Sugar shampoo good for straight hair?
Raw Sugar shampoos work just as well for straight hair as for any other type of locks. As previously emphasized, efficacy varies depending on the specific needs and temperament of your hair.
For people with straight hair, Raw Sugar shampoo could leave their hair slightly greasy. This can make it look and feel unwashed because grime is caught up in the oily residue.
To tackle this, it might be best to just lightly lather the shampoo. Try to foam the surface without rubbing it into the scalp.
Is Raw Sugar shampoo good for color treated hair?
No, Raw Sugar shampoos are not particularly good for color-treated hair. The brand does not have a color-safe label. So the longevity of your dye will depend on the quality of your color treatment.
Usually, shampoos contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Lauryl Sulfates. These are the main culprits behind stripping hair color. Cocamidopropyl betaine is moderate compared to sulfate. But it is still quite a potent surfactant. It slowly breaks the link between the color compounds and hair.
Sodium olefin sulfonate is also equally as harsh as other sulfates. It causes rapid fading with each wash. So it isn’t recommended for use on colored hair.
Is Raw Sugar shampoo good for dandruff?
Raw Sugar shampoos are not particularly formulated to fight dandruff. For greasy hair, the essential oils may actually make your scalp waxier. This could increase sebum production. Excess sebum causes/aggravates dandruff.
On the other hand, if your hair is already dry, then the surfactants could dehydrate your scalp. This can cause flakiness, itching, dandruff, etc. So it may work for combination hair. But it isn’t the best dandruff shampoo out there.
Is Raw Sugar shampoo safe for pregnancy?
Yes, Raw Sugar is quite safe for pregnant women. It is free of parabens and sulfates. Parabens are feared to cause reproductive failure, hormonal changes, and birth defects. Sulfates are also known to cause negative skin reactions like rashes or blotches.
This is because, during pregnancy, the skin becomes more sensitive. So chemicals are more easily absorbed. Instead of parabens, phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative. It may be less of a health concern. But it is best to avoid it when pregnant/nursing.
It could still irritate skin/scalp with heightened absorption/reaction during this time.
Does Raw Sugar shampoo cause hair loss?
Yes, Raw Sugar can cause hair loss for some people. It has been a concern with this formulation. The surfactants can be too abrasive and dehydrating for some. They may take out all the moisture, leaving hair tired, flat, and prone to breakage.
If the natural oils are taken out, hair fall and thinning aren’t far behind. There may not be one specific ingredient that contributes to hair fall. The shampoo might just be unsuited for your specific hair care needs.
For others, the natural formula may actually contribute to hair health and growth.
Does Raw Sugar shampoo have DMDM or sulfates?
No, all Raw Sugar shampoos are free of DMDM Hydantoin and sulfates. DMDM Hydantoin is a health concern as it releases trace amounts of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Raw Sugar products do not contain sulfate- they have sulfonates.
This is part of a new sulfate-free trend in hair care. But take this with a pinch of salt. Sulfates may be harsh. But their replacements e.g. sodium olefin sulfonate are equally strong. They both tend to damage/weaken hair by drying it out.
Since they have strong detergent properties, continuous use can make hair fragile. But otherwise, neither sulfates nor sulfonates have harmful health impacts. So in terms of general toxicity, there is nothing to fear from either one.
Does Raw Sugar contain gluten and fragrances?
Raw Sugar shampoos (in fact, all of their products) are completely gluten-free. This is a major upside for people with gluten intolerance/celiac disease. There is no scientific proof that skin contact with gluten can cause reactions.
But some people have hypersensitivity. So inhaling/ingesting even small amounts can cause allergies. So this shampoo may be suited for those going 100% gluten-free, to avoid the slightest risk.
Does Raw Sugar shampoo contain fragrances, glycerin or PVP?
Yes, Raw Sugar shampoos do contain added fragrances/perfumes. In addition, there are also extracts from essential oils/plants. These give off a natural scent too.
Raw Sugar shampoos also contain glycerin, a humectant. It creates a moisture barrier, to prevent water loss from the hair/ scalp. In addition, it also absorbs moisture externally from the air. This keeps your locks extra-hydrated and frizz-free.
Some Raw Sugar shampoos also contain PVP – Polyvinylpyrrolidone. This compound forms a light coating on the hair. It helps to hold hair together, which is useful to keep hairstyles in place. It also provides a light shield against color-leaching.
Does Raw Sugar contain alcohol and water?
Yes, Raw Sugar Shampoo does contain “non-conventional alcohols”. This means they are not made of ethanol or ethyl. One is benzyl alcohol, which is synthetic aromatic alcohol. It is used as a preservative, stabilizer, and sometimes as an ant-septic.
The other is actually a glycol ether/ether alcohol. This is phenoxyethanol, which performs the same functions as benzyl alcohol. It is considered a harmless alternative to parabens. But they may still be common scalp irritants.
Water is the primary ingredient in Raw Sugar shampoos. It is the main solvent for all the ingredients. Being neutral and benign, it keeps the solution stable. And it can also dissolve a large number of chemicals including other solvents. This is why it is a ‘universal solvent’.
Is Raw Sugar Shampoo vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes, Raw Sugar shampoos are cruelty-free and vegan friendly. They do not test their products or ingredients on animals. They don’t buy raw materials from third-party vendors/suppliers who continue animal testing.
They also don’t sell to countries, where such practices are legally required/generally accepted.
Raw Sugar isn’t 100% vegan. There are many vegan shampoo and other products available. But it isn’t completely vegan. This is because some products used animal-derived ingredients e.g. honey. So check your shampoo to make sure.
We trust that this review has helped you understand the Raw Sugar shampoo brand better. Hopefully, it meets your requirements for a healthful, sustainable, and conscious life.
References:
- https://rawsugarliving.com/collections/shampoo
- https://incidecoder.com/products/raw-sugar-the-moisture-smoothie-shampoo
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