Hair products and conditioning have long been popular with the average person, but the market for these treatments is expected to grow rapidly.
According to a new report, the number of shampoo and styling products in the U.S. rose 13% in the last year.
More: The number of products sold for men rose 20% last year, while the number sold for women rose 17%.
A study by the consultancy Gartner said shampoo sales in the United States rose to $6.4 billion in 2016, up from $5.9 billion in 2015.
The firm said that while shampoo sales grew 15% in 2016 to $2.5 billion, the market will likely continue to expand to $7.4bn by 2027.
But many experts caution that shampoo and conditioning are not the only options out there.
While shampoo and other high-purity products are popular, many products marketed as “natural” also contain a small amount of ingredients that are considered harmful or potentially harmful to the environment, said Jessica Koller, a hair care expert and the founder of salon-inspired cosmetics brand Hairy Beauty.
“You don’t need to spend the extra $2 to $4 a bottle on a natural shampoo or conditioner,” she said.
For example, natural conditioner comes in both regular and premium formulations, and both can be applied to hair and scalp to control frizz and shine.
However, many natural conditioners contain synthetic ingredients that can lead to the development of hair growth disorders.
In a study published last year in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Koller and her colleagues showed that more than 70% of the products sold in the cosmetics industry contained at least one ingredient that had been linked to hair growth problems.
Natural shampoo and body care products have also come under fire in recent years for being toxic to the skin and other body systems.
And many women have complained that natural products can leave their hair looking like a synthetic, as well as having harsh, drying aftertaste.
Many beauty products also contain ingredients that were once considered safe, but have since been banned.
Koller said many of the chemicals in these products are toxic, but that they’re still available for purchase.
“Many of the synthetic ingredients are still available, and many of them are being sold for the purpose of being used as a natural treatment,” she explained.
Despite the popularity of natural products, the environment is still being affected.
According to the Environmental Working Group, there are 2,872 known chemical pollutants in the water and air that can be toxic to aquatic life, including fish, turtles, crustaceans and amphibians.
Even if you’re careful about the chemicals you use, the fact is that you still have to contend with many other pollutants, including greenhouse gases, pesticides and industrial chemicals, Koller said.
Koller also said that many people are not aware of the impact of chemicals in their hair care products.
“Most people don’t know that some of the most popular shampoo and natural hair care brands, like Nature Republic, Dove, Tampax and others, use chemicals that are banned in many other countries, and can cause health problems,” she noted.
With so many brands and products that are potentially harmful, Kosser said it’s critical to make sure people use natural products that they understand.
“Natural products are a good thing, but I think it’s important that people understand that the ingredients are safe,” she continued.