What is a shampoo?
Shampoo is the most used product in any grooming salon, but do we really know how it works? It removes the dirt caused by the existence of oil formed by the sebaceous glands, skin desquamation of the scalp and environmental pollutants deposited on the hair. Sebum protects the protein structure of the hair from external damage, but... it tends to trap dirt. The surfactants in the shampoo encapsulate the dirt so that it can be washed away.
What is an INCI?
The INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) is a methodology that dictates the characteristics of how the ingredients of a cosmetic product must be displayed. With this system, the name of each ingredient has been standardized at an international level. Thus, the names of the ingredients used in a product must appear in English or Latin.
Is it mandatory for the INCI to appear on the labeling of animal cosmetic products?
To date, animal health regulations do not regulate this aspect of product labeling, so there is no obligation to indicate the INCI in animal cosmetic products. This means that consumers have fewer tools to make the best decision when choosing a hygiene product for their pets. However, some brands opt for transparency and include the INCI in the labeling of their products. And if we know how to correctly interpret the INCI, we will have a great ally in this decision process.
What is the INCI of a shampoo?
First of all, it is important to know that the ingredients are arranged in the INCI in decreasing order from the highest to the lowest percentage of the ingredients in the formula. Thus, if we look at the beginning we can find the ingredient with the highest percentage:
- The first ingredient listed in the INCI is the solvent: AQUA. In other words, the main ingredient in any liquid shampoo is water. Shampoos contain between 75% and 90% water, and although this may not seem to be a significant ingredient, it is key for the product to have the best quality. Animal health regulations are not particularly strict with this ingredient, so some products may contain untreated water, causing irritation to the dog's skin. PSH Pet Skin Healthcare bets on treated and highly controlled water through the use of UV lamps and daily physical-chemical controls, avoiding high conductivities, excess of salts, and therefore its hardness, which causes irritations and skin conditions.
- The next ingredient you will recognize in the INCI is the surfactant. Surfactants surround the dirt, so that it is encapsulated and easily washed away by rinsing. The best known ingredient is lauryl (SOUDIM LAURYL SULFATE). This ingredient of synthetic origin is responsible for encapsulating the lipophilic parts of the grease and being able to wash them away with water. It is also the ingredient responsible for creating foam and achieving the desired cleansing effect. It is important to know that it can be an irritant agent. However, in good formulations, designed to balance this effect, we find in lower INCI positions co-surfactants, which serve to lower the irritancy of the main surfactant. Some examples are: COCO-GLUCOSIDE, POTASSIUM OLIVOYL, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN or MYRISTYL LACTATE.
- In the following positions we will find the emollients. They are important compounds to provide the necessary hydration after the use of the surfactant used. In this way we ensure low irritancy and high moisturization of the skin. Examples of these ingredients are: GLYCERIN, PROPILENE GLYCOL or some oils that may be present in the formula.
- Next, we find the preservatives, which are essential to prevent the shampoo from being contaminated by bacteria or fungi. The choice of preservative is not a trivial matter: prior studies are carried out to determine which one is best suited to the formula, to see which one can withstand the most adverse conditions of exposure of the product (leaving the shampoo open, diluting the product with water, exposure to high temperatures, etc.).
- Finally, we would find the active ingredients. Did you know that not all shampoos have to have active ingredients? A shampoo may or may not contain them, and here we find a key point when choosing the best shampoo for our pet. PSH Pet Skin Healthcare has active ingredients in all its formulas to care for the dermis. A quality shampoo not only cleans, but also, through the contribution of active ingredients, nourishes, cares for and repairs the dermis. It is an additional contribution to the main function of a shampoo, which is to cleanse. These vary according to the intended benefit of each shampoo: anti-dandruff, anti-odor, nourishing, soothing.
The best thing to do when choosing a shampoo is to be informed, to take into account this practical information, and to take advice to choose the best product, always opting for contrasting information from experts.
