Letting low ‘poo in
By Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor
If my six-week suds sabbatical has taught me anything, it’s that I actually really like shampoo. After my first real wash in 42 days, my classmate said it best (and most tactfully): “I like your hair better like this.”
It’s a sad fact that no ‘poo didn’t necessarily work for my hair. My initial concerns rang true: my fine, limp hair shows oil readily, to the point where I just never felt like I looked clean or put-together. Perhaps I didn’t let the transition period play out as long as I should have, but either way, it’s the shampoo life for me from now on.
But saying yes to shampoo doesn’t mean that I have to commit to all the sulphates and drying agents that shampoo entails. “Low ‘poo” is an option that people turn to when they want the benefits of shampoo, but are concerned with traditional shampoo’s effects on the environment or on their bodies. Low ‘poo shampoos are great because they don’t remove all the natural oils from your hair. With a low ‘poo option you can still go several days between washes.
I talked to Jeannette Montroy of EthicalDeal.com, a local daily-deal website committed to supporting eco-friendly companies and connecting Vancouverites with, well, ethical deals. Montroy recommended a few low ‘poo products to try, including the Canadian line Druide, which is available at Whole Foods.
“[Druide is] great,” Montroy says. “It’s made in Quebec and most of it is either vegan or gluten-free. It’s free of parabens, [and has] no synthetic ingredients, no scents or perfumes, no glycols, alcohol, or added colour.” She adds that gluten-free is an important thing to look for in beauty products because “True celiacs [gluten allergy] can’t have wheat in even their body care products.”
Druide also has Ecocert certification, a designation that has been around for more than 25 years and is the first of its kind to ensure quality in natural cosmetics and other beauty products.
Montroy also recommends Eaurganic products, available at Rexall drugstores. “Eurganic is also certified organic and uses lots of raw materials like organic avocado oil, organic jojoba oil, and organic shea butter,” says Montroy. She adds that these oils are used “in high concentrations so you can use less product for maximum benefit.”
Montroy also suggested looking out for the Clean Care Seal. “They are working to make Canada’s first standardization for health/beauty products that are eco-friendly and clean of chemicals and carcinogens,” she tells us, adding that Clean Care’s first products will be announced later this year.
Armed with my new low ‘poo knowledge and some exciting products to try, it looks like going forward I can have the best of both worlds. I’ll save money by using concentrated products less frequently, I’ll save the planet by avoiding harsh chemicals, and I’ll continue to encourage scalp health and hair growth with gentle, sulphate-free cleansers. It’s been a wild, greasy ride on the no ‘poo train, and I hope my process has helped you determine whether or not a shampoo-free lifestyle is right for you.
