Aussie Shampoo Ingredients

Aussie shampoo is a popular hair product, but consumers should be aware that some ingredients in Aussie hair shampoo contain what may be considered harmful or toxic components, states the Natural Skincare Authority. While some of the contents of the shampoo created by Procter & Gamble are common, others are not. Consumers should be aware of the basic ingredients in a variety of products for safe usage by young and old alike. There are literally dozens of ingredients in various Aussie shampoo products, a few of which are most commonly found in many Aussie products.

A woman getting her hair washed by a stylist. (Image: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Water

Water is a natural ingredient found in many shampoo products, as it serves as a blending base for other ingredients. Listed first on the ingredients of Aussie's Sydney Smooth Shampoo, water is the main component of the product, states the Aussie website. The greatest amount of ingredients by weight are listed first, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ammonia

Ammonium laureth sulfate and ammonium laural sulfate are also listed as ingredients in Aussie's Sydney Smooth Shampoo as well as other shampoo products. Both of these types of ammonia are commonly used in many shampoo products as a surfactant, states Beauty MiMi.hu, which acts like a detergent on the hair. Both rate low for causing skin irritation and irritability, though individuals may react differently to the presence of ammonia in hair and skin products.

FD&C Yellow 5

FD&C Yellow 5 is also commonly found in many shampoo products, used as a colorant, FD&C Yellow 5 has been linked to potential fertility issues and should be used with caution by those wishing to become or are pregnant, suggests the Cosmetics Database.

Soldium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate is an alkaline ingredient that helps shampoos to penetrate dirt, grime and oily buildup on hair by promoting the production of foam on the surface of the hair, it but may also go deeper into the scalp, leading to potential increased risk of carcinogen exposure, states Natural Skin Care Authority. Sodium lauryl sulfates and their derivatives are also known to contain dioxane, an identified carcinogen, according to Natural Health Information.

Parabens

Many Aussie shampoo products also contain a variety of parabens, such as propylparaben and methylparaben, which have been linked to breast cancer, according to Natural Skin Care Authority. Parabens are commonly used in the cosmetics industry, according to the Food and Drug Administration, and are added to cosmetics and shampoos to prevent growth of bacterial microbes. The FDA, however, has published studies that don't show a direct link to parabens actually causing breast cancer.