What to Look For

"Herbal" shampoos can still be chock full of questionable ingredients. Here's how to tell the difference.

Dirty Dozen-Free Products

If nothing else, avoid any shampoo that lists an ingredient included in the Green Guide's "Dirty Dozen." Of those 12, those most commonly found in shampoos are 1,4 dioxane, diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehyde, fragrance and parabens.

Third Party Certification

A growing number of consumer and industry groups are launching reliable certifications for personal care products, some in the U.S. and others based in Europe and Australia. Among the most common are USDA Certified Organic, the Natural Products Association certification, BDIH, and Australian Certified Organic.

Shopping Tips

• Don't rely on undefined claims on labels, such as "hypoallergenic" and "natural." Because these terms are not regulated by the FDA, they provide no guarantees of a product's safety and may contain ingredients that contradict claims on the label.

• Avoid products labeled "cruelty-free" that aren't Leaping Bunny-certified. That term is also unregulated, and while the product itself may not have been tested on animals, the ingredients may have.

• Read labels carefully: Even "unscented" or "fragrance-free" products often will have a "masking fragrance" listed among its ingredients.

• Essential oils from plants, used as preservatives and fragrances in natural shampoos, pose less of a health threat than their synthetic counterparts, but keep in mind that some, such as peppermint, eucalyptus and wintergreen oils, can trigger allergic reactions. Essential oils from lavender and tea tree have been shown to promote breast development in young boys, so avoid baby shampoos with these oils.

• Look for products that come in recycled or recyclable packaging.

Usage Tips

• You can make your own shampoo from household products and herbal ingredients. The following books provide detailed recipes: Making Natural Liquid Soaps by Catherine Failor, Drop Dead Gorgeous: Protecting Yourself from the Hidden Dangers of Cosmetics by Kim Erickson, and Make Your Own Cosmetics by Susan Curtis.

• Always test homemade shampoos on a patch of skin before using for the first time, to ensure that your skin won't have a reaction to the formula.

• Consider shampooing less frequently. Most hairstylists recommend washing no more than two or three times a week. Not only does washing hair less often save money spent on shampoo, but the less you shampoo, the less time you spend in the shower, and the more water you save.