You wouldn’t wash your face with paint thinner, right? Or soak your skin in gasoline? Sounds crazy, but every time you lather up with certain shampoos, you might be exposing your scalp to chemicals that are just as harsh—if not worse. But let’s be real: not all chemicals are bad. Some ingredients in your shampoo are essential for function—like stabilizing the formula, preventing bacteria from turning your bottle into a science experiment, and making sure the product doesn’t separate into an unappealing goop. So, what should you avoid, and what is actually necessary? Let’s break it down.