CurlySuziQ

Has anyone else found that they're allergic to natural extracts such as rosemary? When I use a conditioner that has rosemary in it, I have to rinse my scalp really really well or else it becomes itchy.

My hair is really thin, so I tried a number of products with natural growth promoters like rosemary and peppermint. The tingling feels nice; however, I have to rinse so well that I feel like I lose a lot of hair in the process. Constant itching doesn't help with hair loss either. The only conditioners that I don't have to rinse out vigorously are the cheapy ones with only chemicals and no natural extracts. Oh the irony... Even the ones with only rosemary and no peppermint make my scalp itch.

If anyone else out there is also allergic to the natural extracts, what products do you use? Ion Effective Care seems to be ok, as well as some of the VO5s.

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3a, Thin, Fine, Normal Porosity, Low Elasticity

Sulfate Poo (1x/week): Nioxin or Nutri-Ox (need poo or my hair gets heavy and flat)
PT/DT (1x/week): Ion Effective Care/GVP CB
Co-wash (3x/week): VO5 Clarifying or Volume, Tresemme Radiant Volume
RO: Giov DLI, KCKT (yes, I RO LIs--too heavy otherwise)
Stylers: Mixed Silk CG, KCCC

No polyquats - they feel like waxy build up!

Myrna

I would suspect the peppermint as opposed to the rosemary...

CurlyJulia

I avoid rosemary and peppermint for daily exposure because both are quite 'volatile' oils, aromatic. They both energize, and often can keep you up at night, especially rosemary.

A lot of people think that because essential oils are natural, that they are safe. Rosemary is to be avoided in pregnancy, for instance: Rosemary Oil & Pregnancy | LIVESTRONG.COM

If you think that you are having an allergic reaction to an essential oil, I *strongly* urge you to avoid it. You can be hypersensitized to essential oils with repeated exposure. Are Essential Oils Safe? | Taking Charge of Your Health

Allergies and Essential Oils

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Dye free since 8/2/12
CG since 6/29/12
Type: 2c/3a, medium, thick
Cowash: Suave TC Conditioner
Poo: SM Coconut-Hibiscus Shampoo
Curl Enhancment: CJCCCC!!,
Gels: HETT, BRHG, EcoStyler
Mousse: Deva Frizz-free Volumizing Foam
PT: IA Girl's Gelatin PT

Experimenting with VO5 Kiwi-Lime for Condish styling, as well as looking for an affordable substitute for Deva FFVF.

CurlySuziQ

Interesting! Thanks CurlyJulia. I do have quite sensitive skin--I think maybe it's best if I just avoid all natural extracts.

Last time I had a meal with a lot of rosemary in it, I felt sick afterwards. It could have been a fluke, I hope, because I so don't want to stop eating rosemary. Also, I have eczema on my fingers, and nothing aggravates it like gardening. So strange! Must be some sort of allergy to plant oils.

__________________
3a, Thin, Fine, Normal Porosity, Low Elasticity

Sulfate Poo (1x/week): Nioxin or Nutri-Ox (need poo or my hair gets heavy and flat)
PT/DT (1x/week): Ion Effective Care/GVP CB
Co-wash (3x/week): VO5 Clarifying or Volume, Tresemme Radiant Volume
RO: Giov DLI, KCKT (yes, I RO LIs--too heavy otherwise)
Stylers: Mixed Silk CG, KCCC

No polyquats - they feel like waxy build up!