What type of chemical is shampoo?

A class of surfactants called anionic surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate are the primary cleansing agents in shampoo….36.2 Shampoos.

Ingredient	Function	% (w/w)
Sodium laureth sulfate	Primary surfactant for lathering and cleansing	16.0

Is shampoo an acid or base?

Shampoos are formulated to be acidic because of the physical nature of hair. Strongly alkaline solutions break the disulfide chemical bonds in hair, and at a pH of 12 hair actually dissolves.

What toxins are in shampoo?

Here are five toxic ingredients you’ll want to be sure to avoid when picking out a shampoo or conditioner:

Sulfates. You’ve probably heard of sulfates by now; pretty much every natural hair care brand states proudly on its packaging that a product is sulfate-free.
Parabens.
Fragrance.
Triclosan.
Polyethylene Glycol.

Which chemical is harmful for hair in shampoo?

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) When you rinse out the shampoo, sulfates take all the oils and residue with them. But while cleansing, they can also damage the hair, make it brittle, and increase frizz.