Let's be real — your hair has put up with a lot. We’ve all fumbled about, trying this shampoo and that, only to have our locks fall flat or look dry, dull, and frizzy. And one more bottle gets heaped onto the beauty discard pile.

Instead, consider a curated, more self-caring approach towards your hair, making a clean break from traditional shampoos that fail to consider your scalp's health. Why douse it in a cocktail of harmful shampoo ingredients when there are better, healthier ways to care for your hair?

At Charismo, what's in your hair care products, combined with a stand against unnecessary additives, counts. Our formulators go beyond, insisting on actives that maintain both purity and performance. As trichologists, they take great care to make products that place science and nature at the core of each formula, with integrity, scientific rigor, transparency, and empowerment being our guiding principles. Your hair’s health is our #1 priority. That starts with the right shampoo — because nothing beats the refreshing sensation of a good shampoo, except doing so with a clean formula! 

It’s time to rinse the toxic ingredients from your shower routine and choose better, turning your everyday routine into a health and beauty-affirming ritual that transforms the way you shampoo.

Sulfates in Shampoo: The Sudsy Saboteurs

Are sulfates bad for my hair? Yes. Sulfates top the list of harmful ingredients in shampoo that need to be evicted from your shower. They may give you that satisfying, foamy lather that tricks you into thinking your hair is getting squeaky clean. But, it's a trap! Sure, sulfate-based shampoos remove dirt, oil, and pollutants, but they take more than that. 

There’s clean, and then there’s too clean. (Yes, that’s a thing!) Sulfates (sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, or ammonium laureth sulfate) are harsh detergents that strip away natural, healthy oils and moisture, leaving hair dry, brittle, and prone to frizz. They can also cause scalp irritation. Imagine scrubbing your cashmere sweater with dish soap – not a good look, right? The same goes for your strands.

Plant-Based Surfactants: The Gentle Cleanse

You may be wondering: What does "sulfate-free" actually mean for my hair, and will a "clean" shampoo clean my hair effectively? Instead of harsh, drying sulfates, sulfate-free alternatives gently and effectively sweep away impurities, preserving scalp and hair health. You don’t need detergent-strength surfactants to keep your hair and scalp clean.

Discover healthier hair with our scalp and hair-friendly coconut-derived cleansing alternatives:

• Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is the foundation for high-quality shampoos. It cleanses with authority in our scalp balancing shampoo, providing that rich lather we crave, removing oil, dirt, and product buildup, while rinsing cleanly and leaving no dryness or dulling residue behind. No sacrifice here, it pairs seamlessly with other ingredients, creating balanced formulas suitable for all hair types and concerns.
• Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is an elegant shampoo upgrade. Derived from coconut fatty acids, this naturally sourced cleanser, found in our moisturizing shampoo, beautifully satisfies clean beauty standards. Far gentler than harsh sulfates, this mild, non-stripping cleanser effectively cleanses without wiping out essential natural oils, helping maintain moisture and prevent frizz. 
• Cocamide MIPA in both of our clean shampoos functions as a foam booster and viscosity-increasing agent, deemed safe for topical application.

Another plant-derived surfactant, Sodium Hydroxypropylphosphated Decylglucoside, in both CHARISMO sulfate-free color-safe shampoo formulas, provides additional mild cleansing while being extra gentle on the skin.

Pesky Parabens: The Preservation Problem

What are parabens and why should I avoid them? Parabens extend product shelf life, keeping them free of bacteria and mold, while preserving efficacy. Unfortunately, research has linked parabens to hormone disruption and other health concerns.

At Charismo, we're all about preserving your beauty, but not at the expense of your well-being. To keep your products fresh and pure, we use a combination of phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol for safe, broad-spectrum protection, guarding against mold and bacteria in your shampoos and other products.

Ingredients To Look For

Now that you have a better picture of what to skip and have purged your shower of the top offenders, let’s talk about what ingredients to choose. Charismo's meticulously curated ingredients are selected with your scalp and strands in mind—only nature's finest, designed to nourish and protect without the nasty extras.

The Moisture Masters

Moisture matters for all hair types. Natural moisturizing ingredients are your hair’s best friends, enveloping the hair shaft in moisture, producing luminous shine and elasticity. So, what are some good, natural moisturizing ingredients?

• Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) is one of the best moisturizing shampoo ingredients you can choose for the hair and scalp.  Here’s why:
  • Deeply + lastingly moisturizes: Charismo shampoos feature low-molecular hyaluronic acid, a powerful moisture-attracting humectant which penetrates deeper than other forms, providing lasting moisture.
  • Reduces dryness + breakage.
  • Boosts shine + enhances flexibility.
• Babassu (Orbignya Oleifera Seed) Oil envelops strands in lightweight, replenishing lipids, providing multiple benefits for hair health:
  • Protects: Antioxidant vitamin E protects against damaging external stressors.
  • Smooths + strengthens: Softens and improves manageability, elasticity, frizz, and dryness.
  • Provides lightweight moisture: With no greasy after-feel, it is suitable for all hair types, even oily, thin, and fine hair.
  • Repairs: Hair emerges repaired and lustrous.
  • Maintains scalp health: Antimicrobial lauric acid helps maintain a healthier scalp and soothes scalp irritation, itchiness, dandruff, and flakes.
• Bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosus) Extract, from a nutrient-rich brown seaweed, is found in the Balancing Shampoo. It provides moisturizing sugars and nutrient-rich vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and more, promoting a healthy environment for hair growth.
  • Moisturizes: Humectant polysaccharides (algae sugars) attract and wrap the hair shaft and scalp in moisture, improving hair texture and shine.
  • Calms irritation: Soothing anti-inflammatories calm irritated or itchy scalps, and reduce dandruff and flakiness.
  • Strengthens: Amino acids, the building blocks of the hair protein keratin, fortify the hair structure, making it more resilient against breakage.
  • Protects: Antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E shield the hair and scalp from pollution, free radicals, and other environmental stressors, which can lead to dullness and premature hair aging.
  • Stimulates: Iodine, iron, and potassium support the follicles, and some research suggests fucoidan within bladderwrack may stimulate hair follicle cells to promote growth.
• Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf) Extract is a multifunctional ingredient celebrated for its humectant properties and rich composition of vitamins (A, C, E, B12), minerals, amino acids, and enzymes, and the following hair care benefits.
  • Moisturizes + conditions: Over 99% water, it attracts and locks in moisture, conditioning and detangling the hair, making it look healthier, shinier, and softer.
  • Strengthens + repairs: Vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, like zinc, promote cell turnover and keratin production, helping strengthen strands and repair damage.
  • Calms + soothes: Its anti-inflammatory properties can help calm an irritated, itchy scalp, with studies even showing it can reduce the itchiness and scaling associated with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
  • Purifies + exfoliates: Its natural enzymes help break down excess oil and dead skin cells on the scalp, effectively cleansing the scalp and hair without stripping or damaging the hair.
• Glycerin, as a humectant, draws moisture from the air into the hair shaft, delivering a conditioning effect ideal for dry, curly, and damaged hair types:
  • Moisturizes: Softens and smoothes the scalp and hair cuticle, alleviating dryness, flaking, and itchiness; reduces frizz and flyaways; increases shine; and improves scalp health.
  • Strengthens hair: It increases elasticity, reducing breakage and split ends.
  • Enhances curls: It helps define curls and improve their bounce without making them feel stiff.
    

Damage + Dryness + Density Defenders

What ingredients should I look for to help with damage, dryness, and loss of density? In addition to supporting moisture levels, shampoos with ingredients that promote healthier, thicker, and denser-looking hair are in it for the long haul. Look for formulas that feature the following:

• Grape (Vitis Vinifera) Seed Extract is prized in hair care for its powerful antioxidant profile, offering several valuable benefits:
  • Stimulates renewal: Proanthocyanidins are thought to help stimulate hair renewal and reduce hair loss.
  • Boosts circulation: Studies suggest it may enhance scalp circulation, inhibit DHT (a hormone linked to hair loss), and extend the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
  • Protects: Vitamin E and polyphenolic compounds safeguard the hair follicles from environmental stressors and free radicals, helping prevent hair aging and color fade.
  • Moisturizes + strengthens: Essential fatty acids boost hair moisture levels and strength, helping reduce breakage and split ends.
  • Soothes scalp health: Its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties can help to soothe an irritated, itchy scalp and reduce dandruff, dryness, and microbial overgrowth.
• Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis Leaf) Extract is a powerhouse ingredient for hair and scalp health. Here are the key benefits for your hair:
  • Moisturizes: Green tea acts as a humectant, helping moisturize and condition the hair and scalp.
  • Fights hair loss: With a high concentration of the potent compound (EGCG), green tea promotes hair follicle health and may help stimulate the cells responsible for hair growth. 
    Green tea may also slow down the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone linked to hair thinning and loss. 
  • Protects: Antioxidants, polyphenols, and catechins in green tea shield the hair and scalp from oxidative stress and damage caused by environmental pollutants and UV radiation, helping preserve hair vitality.
  • Soothes + balances: Green tea extract offers anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, calming scalp irritation, reducing flaking, and helping alleviate symptoms of conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff).
  • Balances: Green tea extract’s astringent properties also help regulate excess oil (sebum) production on the scalp.
  • Strengthens + conditions: Vitamin B and vitamin E from green tea help strengthen hair fibers, boosting flexibility and resistance to breakage.
• Hydrolyzed Keratin is a protein broken down into smaller molecules (peptides), which allows it to penetrate the hair shaft, delivering numerous benefits, especially useful for dry, brittle, and chemically treated hair prone to damage:
  • Strengthens + repairs damage: It fills in the microscopic gaps and broken areas along the hair shaft, reinforcing the hair's structure and increasing its tensile strength, helping reduce breakage and split ends.
  • Fights frizz + smooths: Helps seal the cuticles and create a smoother hair surface, eliminating frizz and leaving hair silky, shiny, and more manageable.
  • Moisturizes + conditions: It acts as a humectant, helping the hair absorb and retain moisture, improving its overall elasticity and bounce.
  • Provides a protective barrier: It creates a shield of protection on the hair’s surface, helping defend against environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and heat damage from styling tools.
  • Improves density: By forming a protective layer and enhancing the hair’s diameter, it gives hair a fuller, thicker appearance.
• L-Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a vital building block of keratin, the main protein that makes up your hair. L-Arginine is often included in hair care to leverage these key benefits, helping reduce breakage and improve strength:
  • Improves blood flow: L-Arginine is converted to nitric oxide, a vasodilator that helps widen blood vessels in the scalp. It improves blood flow and enhances circulation, ensuring that hair follicles receive oxygen and nutrients vital for stimulating and maintaining the hair's anagen (growth) phase and minimizing hair loss.
  • Fortifies the hair structure: L-Arginine helps strengthen the hair shaft from root to tip. Studies show that it can penetrate the hair fiber and bind to damaged areas, thereby increasing the hair's tensile strength and reducing breakage and split ends.
  • Protects against damage: It provides a protective film that helps shield hair from damage, including the weakening effects of bleaching and coloring.
  • Improves elasticity + moisture retention: L-Arginine helps the hair bind and retain water, increasing its flexibility and making it less brittle and prone to breakage.

Clean Without Compromise

Our formulas are proof that shampooing can be effective, enjoyable, and healthful, demonstrating that each deliberate action we take goes a long way towards healthy, beautiful hair.