Products Review: Camamu Shampoo bar and soaps

Camamu Shampoo Bar 

Rosemary Nettle Bar

I have long curly hair to my waist.  Its thick and loves to tangle.  For years I have been telling myself I should cut it short so Im not a slave to toxic shampoos.  I have used lots of different shampoos from the health store over the years and they always seem to leave my hair tangled.  Many have left my scalp dry and itchy.  On a lark I bought Camamu's Rosemary Nettle shampoo bar thinking, "Well even if it dosnt really work for me like all the other here on the shelf, there is minimal packaging and Im not paying to have water (biggest part of most shampoos) shipped across the US."  Little did I know I just found my hair's best friend.  With all of the "eco" shampoos I have been using I had to condition my hair twice.  Now I barely need any conditioner and almost no tangles.  With my hair, thats saying something.  

Camamu Soaps also make pet shampoos, beauty bars and get this, shaving soap!

We also love that there isnt any added Sodium Lauryl Sulfate because we have a grey water system here at our home that runs off the shower and the build up of sodium in the soil from natural detergents can poison the soil.   EKK!  That would be bad since we grow most of our own produce.  There are also other growing concerns about the safety of sodium lauryl sulfate.  Its currently being used to such excess, its bound to cause problems for people who are naturally sensitive and to start accumulating in the environment. 

Which brings us to our next point.  There is a difference between biodegradable and biocompatable.   Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is perfectly natural, organic and biodegradable.  However it occurs in small amounts in nature.  When we concentrate it down and use it in large amount to wash our clothes, dishes, counter tops and bodies, it can can bioaccumulate like any other chemical.  This is just one example of a common ingredient that is biodegradable but not completely biocompatable.  We as consumers need to start demanding products that are still healthy and safe even after they decompose in our bodies and the environment.  We have a wonderful option for shampoo with Camamu.

In researching this issue we have found only one laundry detergent that claims to be biocompatable but this isnt a review for Oasis Laundry soap because we havnt used it.   Im just mentioning it here incase your next question was, "What about other biocompatable products?"  Maybe you can tell us about it if you have used Oasis Laundry detergent or Oasis dish detergent.  No where can we find whats in it.  It maybe pure sodium lauryl sulfate for all we know.  FYI, Ecos Laundry detergent is pure sodium lauryl sulfate.

Also, Dr. Bronners, our beloved standby is pure sodium lauryl sulfate so its not so great for a grey water system but probably still your best bet in most cases.  The accumulations of sodium is a smaller problem with conventional sewage treatment.