Sometimes it's difficult to know how long you should persist with an organic shampoo before it gets better – if it gets better at all. So when is it time to switch your organic shampoo to another one? Here are four signs that it's time.
1. Dry, itchy & flaking scalp
If your scalp itches or dries out, then you know it's the wrong shampoo. If it itches, you might be allergic to something in the shampoo.
If your scalp becomes dry, feels tight and flakes as a result, then your scalp is sensitive and you need to switch to a milder organic shampoo that lathers less or alternatively an organic dandruff shampoo.
If you know your scalp is sensitive, always choose fragrance-free or lightly scented shampoos.
2. Product buildup occurs
The first few washes feel great with beautiful hair as a result. Then the hair becomes stiff and dull. Both hair and scalp develop residue (within 2 days to about 2 weeks).
Your hair doesn't get clean and your scalp smells musty after shampooing.
Eventually, it may start to itch with hair loss as the worst-case scenario. This likely means your hair has too many chemical residues or chemicals are still being continuously added to your hair through other hair products. Residues from conventional hair care, styling, and hair coloring products are difficult to wash out with an organic shampoo. In this case, switch everything to natural and clean products.
If you're using a mild organic shampoo, a more "tough" lathering shampoo might be necessary. Eco Cosmetics shampoos lather well but may be insufficient if your hair has lots of chemical residues. In such cases, you'll need a tougher shampoo like Bruns no. 5.
If you're already using an organic shampoo that lathers well, chemical buildup can be removed with an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. Vinegar rinses help most people. Note that you may need to use vinegar rinses for an extended period before seeing results.
3. Your hair gets oily quickly
Your hair looks nice after washing but becomes oily after just half a day to a day! The shampoo might also feel unusually uneconomical. A shampoo that makes your hair get oily quickly is too mild (lathers too little). If you persist with such a shampoo and wash frequently (daily if needed), your scalp will eventually (can take up to 3 months) produce less sebum/oil. Your scalp will find its balance and your hair will need to be washed less frequently.
If your hair gets so oily that it starts to itch, use a vinegar rinse. Switch to a shampoo that lathers more, or hang in there!
Don't be discouraged if mild shampoos (that lather little or not at all) don't work initially. Decrease gradually and allow your hair and scalp an adjustment period. A shampoo that's too mild today might be perfect after six months.
4. When your hair becomes static
If your hair becomes frizzy, statically charged, and flyaway. This usually happens in winter when your hair becomes charged due to large temperature fluctuations. But dry hair tends to become charged even when it's not winter.
In this case, switch to a more nourishing shampoo, or enrich your shampoo with a few drops of any hair oil. Use hair masks and nourishing conditioner.
