Do you remember the days when our mothers stirred shikakai into shampoo or hair cleansers, or even mixed it with Mehendi (hair color) and used it to add to the mixture? Ever wondered why? Why did she do that? You might remember the term shikakai if you grew up in the 1990s or early 2000s because, in past, it was so common in Indian homes. After major international brands opened in India, it was easier to use shampoos instead of shikakai to clean hair. As a result, the Indian tradition of using shikakai almost disappeared. Ask your parents or grandparents about shikakai.
Shikakai vs Shampoo
The main difference between shikakai and shampoo is that shikakai is made from fruit. On the other hand, a shampoo is made from chemicals that are clinically tested in laboratories. The shikakai fruit is also commonly termed as the “fruit of hair”. This fruit was common in the 90s and the shampoo was recently popularised by the rising of new cosmetic companies.
A type of herb called shikakai is considered extremely beneficial to hair. It’s 100 percent natural as it comes from a fruit. That fruit is commonly termed as the “fruit for hair”. Shikakai can be used in powder form, or you can add it to oil or cleanser for hair.
Haircare cosmetics are dominated by shampoo, the most basic of hair care products. Except for waterless solid form, shampoo is generally in the form of a thick liquid. Shampoo was invented to reduce the dust and dandruff in the hair. It is more common than shikakai.
Comparison Table Between Shikakai and Shampoo
What is Shikakai?
A herbaceous climbing shrub native to China and southern Asia, Senegalia rugata is an herbaceous climbing shrub native to China and tropical Asia. Besides warm plains in the south and center of India, it grows abundantly there as well. Many people consume their leaves and young shoots. Sun-dried fruit pods are ground into fine powder after being dried in the sun. Due to its low pH, it thoroughly cleanses the scalp and leaves hair looking lustrous without robbery. There is less lather than with sulfate-rich shampoos, so it does not make the hair dry as sulfate-rich shampoos do. Mild shampoos do the same thing. The ingredient is well-known for its shampooing properties.
It’s 100 percent natural as it comes from a fruit. That fruit is commonly termed as the “fruit for hair”. Shikakai can be used in powder form, or you can add it to oil or cleanser for hair. Its antifungal properties are one of the benefits that shikakai provides for hair. Additionally, it moisturizes and prevents dryness. When you use Shikakai regularly, it will reduce dandruff. A hair mask made from Apple Cider Vinegar and Shikaki can turn out a great hair mask for treating dandruff for most people in the world.
What is Shampoo?
Haircare cosmetics are dominated by shampoo, the most basic of hair care products. Except for waterless solid form, shampoo is generally in the form of a thick liquid. Shampoo was invented to reduce the dust and dandruff in the hair. It is more common than shikakai. Shampoos contain detergents, such as dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent, or bath gel. These substances act as surfactants. Water is less likely to stick to itself when they are present and is also better able to stick to oil and soil particles. One of the properties of detergents is hydrophobicity. In addition to sebum coating the hair, this hydrocarbon portion of the molecule is also bound to oily styling products. Molecular detergents contain a hydrophilic portion, so they are swept away by the water when you rinse your hair, carrying with them sebum.
Some shampoos contain cosmetic ingredients that aren’t necessary to clean your hair but may improve the experience of washing your hair or influence its color or fragrance. The additives include small elements, which add glimmer to the product and may leave a faint shine on the hair, and perfume, which improves the smell of the shampoo and colors the hair.
Main Differences Between Shikakai and Shampoo
- Shikakai contains natural glucose with some natural hair health-improving chemicals like lupeol, spinasterol, acacia acid, etc. whereas shampoo contains synthetic chemicals like Sodium lauryl sulfate which irritates the health of the hair.
- Shikakai was popular among the old age group whereas shampoo is popular among the present generation.
- Shikakai moisturizes the hair whereas shampoo dries the scalp.
- Shikakai not only prevents split-ends along with calming your scalp but it also provides all the nourishment our hair needs by proving essential oils whereas shampoo takes away the moisture in our hair to make them dirt free and hence, makes it bad for a longer term.
- Shikakai is fruit whereas shampoos are made from the extracts of fruits like shikakai and many more.
Conclusion
Even though both are an essential part of a good healthcare routine but shampoos are not as good as shikakai. This generation has forgotten a great hair health care agent – shikakai. Shikakai contains natural glucose with some natural hair health-improving chemicals like lupeol, spinasterol, acacia acid, etc. whereas shampoo contains synthetic chemicals like Sodium lauryl sulfate which irritates the health of the hair. Shikakai not only prevents split-ends along with calming your scalp but it also provides all the nourishment our hair needs by proving essential oils whereas shampoo takes away the moisture in our hair to make them dirt free and hence, makes it bad for a longer term.
References
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Channappa-Harisha/publication/280313608_A_detailed_investigation_on_shikakai_Acacia_concinna_Linn_fruit/links/55b1fab608ae092e96500ad1/A-detailed-investigation-on-shikakai-Acacia-concinna-Linn-fruit.pdf
- https://www.issstindian.org/pubpdf/voiume30/art-5.pdf