Though you might know better now that water or baking soda are not the sources of supermodel hair, you now might be a little lost. We get it, especially after reading all the hype about shampoo being bad for you. Still, there are some shampoo ingredients to avoid — and sulfates are definitely one of them. Dr. Gross also suggests looking for products that don't contain parabens or alcohol (which can overdry hair).
But the real key to getting a great mane is thinking like a skin care junkie. "The scalp is skin too," Gross reminded us. "You should treat the scalp as you would your face or body." It makes sense! Applying active ingredients to your skin results in cellular turnover, which irons out wrinkles and brightens the complexion. When you use those wonderworkers on your scalp, you not only balance the skin there (see ya, yeast infection!), but you also promote healthier hair growth. Bottom line: using shampoo can actually help you to grow more hair.
So when you're shopping, look for the same ingredients in your hair care that you'd want in your skin care, including retinol, peptides, salicylic acid, and collagen. And if you want deeper hydration, keep an eye out for creamy or pearly shampoo formulas, which are generally more moisturizing than clear shampoos. Try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare's Strengthening Shampoo — it contains biotin (a potent strand-strengthener) and willow bark (a natural alternative to salicylic acid that clears away oil).
