It's 2021, and if you still don't care about the ingredients in your hair products, what are you even doing? While finding the right hair care routine can seem daunting, it's essential to figure out what works for your hair, especially when it comes to ensuring hair health. You don't want to use the wrong ingredients and experience damage, dry hair, or even hair loss, right? We're in the same boat too.
But you can rest assured that we've identified the biggest culprits of hair damage — ingredients that sound like they belong in a chemistry lab, and threaten your hair health in the long run. The best solution is to cut them out while you're ahead. So, read on for the hair care ingredients you should avoid at all costs to ensure healthy, luscious tresses.
01. Parabens
A beauty and skin bad word if there ever was one, parabens are an absolute no-no for hair care products for a bunch of valid reasons. The ingredient can cause a number of problems for your hair — including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your colour, and even hair loss. Plus, it's not like they do something magical for your hair by being in hair products — they're literally just preservatives. Do your scalp a favour, and give parabens a pass for good.
02. Silicones
We're going to be honest here, we have a love/hate relationship with silicone in hair products. While they leave a glossy finish and lock in the moisture, unfortunately, they also weigh your hair down and prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. In the long run, this means dull, dry, and damaged hair. The cons outweigh the pros here, and we're going silicone-free with our hair products for good.
03. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde means serious biz, people! The ingredient is currently under investigation for its potential safety concerns, which should give you an idea of how harmful it is. A vapour that can be found in hair products for smoothing, growing, and cleansing, it's okay to use in minuscule concentrations. But since its traces are also found in other ingredients, it's best to avoid this one at all costs. Need further proof? It's currently on the Canadian Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, so make of that what you will.
04. Artificial fragrance
Artificial fragrances are a very common hair care ingredient — in fact, you're probably using hair products with them right now! After all, they’re what give your hair the very specific salon-fresh scent. But are they good for your hair? As critics would have it, sorry, the answer is NO. Fragrance, if the person is sensitive to it, can sometimes lead to irritation. Irritation can lead to itching or discomfort, or to visible symptoms such as redness or scaling in the scalp too. Thank you, next.
So what do you do now?
No, this list doesn't mean you're never allowed to use hair care products again. You only need to be mindful of the ingredients that are present in your hair care products while shopping — and if you need some baddie-free product in your life ASAP, or just want to revive your hair from all the damage, we've got a solution for you. Opt for the Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree Oil & Vetiver Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner to cleanse your scalp of all baddies, once and for all. Infused with tea tree oil that's famous for its detoxifying properties, the duo will give your hair all the nourishment it needs, while adding volume as well. The clean hair care staples also contain an earthy scent of ethically sourced vetiver, that'll give your tresses an added freshness — and will ensure you've flaunt healthy, happy, luscious always!
Main image courtesy: @janhvikapoor
Written by Nishtha Bhalla on Jul 13, 2021
Nishtha is a freelance writer who loves all things beauty, fashion, culture, and lifestyle. With content covering a variety of topics, she brings a holistic, nuanced perspective to her writing. In her free time, she can be found watching reruns of The Office, reading anything she can get her hands on, and experimenting with astrology.