Bad Product Ingredients??

Hi everyone. Since I've been reading this board for almost a year, I have learned so many helpful things. I love it here!!!!...but I digress. My question is this. I have read posts here and there from people who say this ingredient or that ingredient is something to stay away from on a product. Can anyone tell me exactly what things I should look for on an ingredient list that might not be too good for hair? I obviously know the downside to alcohol additives, but beyond that I'd like to know others. Any help is appreciated! Kelly F.

> Hi everyone. Since I've been reading this board for> almost a year, I have learned so many helpful things.> I love it here!!!!...but I digress. My question is> this. I have read posts here and there from people who> say this ingredient or that ingredient is something to> stay away from on a product. Can anyone tell me> exactly what things I should look for on an ingredient> list that might not be too good for hair? I obviously> know the downside to alcohol additives, but beyond> that I'd like to know others. Any help is appreciated!I think it depends on *your* hair. Personally I have a horrible time with silicone products... for the longest time my hair was dry and unmanageable, once I stopped using products with silicone and other -cone's it became a lot softer and more manageable. That's *my* experience, other people swear by them. Some of the ingredients that other people have problems with don't bother my hair at all.Still, I try to stick to either salon or health-food store products... I just have had better luck with them than with grocery store brands.(Oh and some alcohols aren't bad... I wash my face twice a day with Cetaphil and the main ingredient is cetyl alcohol and it's the best cleanser I've ever used.)-jj

> Hi,> I agree with Shannon-get that book, it's very helpful,> although she's (Paula Begoun, the author)due for an> update on it-it's first and only edition is 1995, and> a lot of new products have been made since then.> Also, where it says that Ammoinium Lauryl Sulfate and> Ammonium Laureth Sulfate are gentle cleansers-well,> I'm not too sure about that because the "All> About Hair" sight is> saying that these two detergents are harsh. What they> all seem to agree on is that Sodium Laureth Sulfate is> a gentle detergent. Hope this helps you find your best> shampoo/conditioner and styling products. By the way> keep in mind that clarifying shampoos are very harsh> for hair, maybe you could alternate a> "build-up" type of shampoo with one without> those types of ingredients, but not> "clarifying". Just a suggestion. :)> HollyI have long, color-treated hair and I use Nexxus Botanoil shampoo and Humectress conditioner. I love the results. I was wondering if Nexxus'Aloe rid clarifying shampoo and conditioners are harsh on hair? I love the Nexxus products and I'm hoping I can keep all my hair products in one specific brand. I also use Nature's Gate which is a wonderful product. If anyone has dry ends use Botanic oil natural oils. Just once a week on the ends after towel-drying hair works miracles. Of all products I use, noneof them use sodium laurel sulfate. The shampoo has sodium laureth sulfate which is the "nicer" detergent on hair.