Have you ever researched the ingredients in your hair products? Probably not – most people think that if it’s on the shelf at a store, it’s safe. But that’s not always the case! The beauty and personal care industry is unregulated, which basically means companies can put whatever they want in their products. Scary, right?
The EU has banned 1,300 ingredients in cosmetics, but the U.S. has only banned only 11. Here, anyone can buy a formula, brand it, advertise it on TikTok, and slap a hefty price tag on it. That doesn't mean it’s a good product.
If you haven’t seen “Not So Pretty” on HBO Max yet, I highly recommend watching it. The documentary is an investigative exposé of the trillion-dollar beauty industry and informs audiences about the hidden hazards of their cosmetic products. It was an eye-opener and reminded me how important it is to educate yourself about what you put on your body and hair.
As a hairstylist professional, I always advise my clients to use organic hair products and go to hair salons that use natural products. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start? I’ll help you choose the best clean beauty products for healthy hair. Keep reading to get all the info you need to make the switch to natural and organic hair products.
Why Should I Switch to Organic Hair Products?
If you’re using conventional hair products, you might unknowingly be putting toxic ingredients into your body. Yikes. The FDA doesn’t require companies to test beauty products for safety and there are no mandatory recalls. They say it’s because you aren't consuming these products, just applying them to your body. But any product you put on your skin or hair can easily get absorbed into the bloodstream – especially when used on the scalp.
The harsh and toxic ingredients in everyday beauty products can cause allergic reactions or hair loss, act as hormone disruptors, and even lead to certain types of cancer.
The damaging effects on your hair, scalp, and overall health are probably enough to make you want to use natural formulas and organic hair products. But how do you know what ingredients are actually harmful?
Here are some of the main ingredients to avoid:
Sulfates: Surfactants like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), and ammonium lauryl sulfate are all damaging.
Parabens: Butyl, propyl, and ethyl parabens mimic the function of the hormone estrogen and can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Silicones: Dimethicone is a type of silicone that acts as a protective layer for your hair shaft but can clog pores and cause scalp irritation.
Phthalates: These endocrine disruptors can cause early puberty in girls, reduce sperm count in men, and are harmful to the environment.
Retinyl palmitate: This ingredient can cause itching and peeling of the scalp and long-term effects, like cancer and toxicity to organs.
Opting for organic hair products free from these ingredients (and going to hair salons that use natural products, like Izabela Karnas!) is important if you want to stay healthy!
Natural vs. Organic Hair Products
Trying to decode all the marketing terminology on natural and organic hair products can be confusing. But knowing what’s in that bottle of shampoo can help you reduce the chemicals and toxins in your haircare routine.
So here’s the lowdown on natural vs. organic hair products.
Natural Hair Products: The word “natural” means that an ingredient is naturally derived without being chemically modified or synthetic. It’s important to note that a hair product can claim to be “natural” even if only one of the ingredients on the list is natural. Check the label to see what percentage of the product is natural (and what harmful ingredients might be in there, too) before you make your decision.
Organic Hair Products: When a label says “organic,” the product is free of synthetic additives and created without genetic engineering. If it has a USDA organic seal, at least 95% of the products are organic. Without that seal, any product can use the term “organic” if at least 70% of the ingredients are organic.
I always recommend buying organic hair products if your budget allows! But whether you choose natural vs. organic hair products, the investment in your health outweighs the risks of using harsh chemicals found in non-organic hair products.
Use Natural or Organic Hair Products for Healthy and Strong Hair
Nothing is more important than your health! So what should you do? Put yourself first by avoiding toxic and harmful chemicals in cosmetics and build your beauty routine around natural ingredients and organic hair products.
At my luxury salon, I recommend natural hair products like Iles Formula’s Haute Performance Shampoo, Haute Performance Conditioner, and Haute Performance Finishing Serum as a foundation for keeping hair healthy. They only use responsibly sourced, raw, clean ingredients. These gentle and effective formulas are free from harmful ingredients like sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and parabens.
Looking for hair salons that use natural products? My salon in Temecula, CA, uses organic hair products and specializes in NBR and IBE hair extensions. Book your appointment to get the hair of your dreams!