Make Homemade Beauty Products!

The commonly used ingredients in shampoo are the following:

Ammonium chloride
Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Glycol
Sodium laureth sulfate is derived from coconut oils and is used to soften water and create a lather. There was some concern over this particular ingredient circa 1998 about this chemical being a carcinogen, but that has been disproved.
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate is naturally derived from coconut oils and is used as a cleanser and counter-irritant. This is the ingredient that makes the product tear-free.
Polysorbate 20 (abbreviated as PEG(20)) is a mild glycol based surfactant that is used to solubilize fragrance oils and essential oils; meaning it causes liquid to spread across and penetrate the surface of a solid (i.e. your hair).
Polysorbate 80 (abbreviated as PEG(80)) is a glycol used to emulsify (or disperse) oils in water (so the oils don't float on top like Italian salad dressing).
PEG-150 Distearate is a simple thickener.
Citric Acid is naturally derived from citrus fruits and is used as an antioxidant to preserve the oils in the product. While it is a severe eye-irritant, the Sodium Lauroamphoacetate counteracts that property. Citric acid is used to adjust the pH down to approximately 5.5. It is a fairly weak acid which makes the adjustment easier. Shampoos usually are at pH 5.5 because at slightly acidic pH the scales on a hair follicle lay flat making the hair feel smooth and look shiny. it also has a small amount of preservative action. Citric acid as opposed to any other acid will prevent bacterial growth.
Quaternium-15 is used as a bacterial/fungicidal preservative.
Polyquaternium-10 has nothing to do with the chemical Quaternium-15. This chemical acts as the conditioning ingredient, providing moisture and fullness to the hair.
Di-PPG-2 myreth-10 adipate is a water-dispersible emollient that forms clear solutions with surfactant systems

All that just to wash your hair! There are only two ingredients necessary to wash hair, baking soda and apple cider vinegar! This lens is to help share some of the best on the web regarding recipes and demonstrations for natural, home-made beauty products.