People seem to be turning more to hair products with natural ingredients these days. Since I started using natural products on my hair, I wanted to share some of the things I learned.
Hair products with natural ingredients contain pure components from nature and minimize synthetic chemicals. They reduce your exposure to artificial chemicals and should be free from phthalates, parabens, isopropyl alcohol, and the isolated word “fragrance”.
- If you want to jump straight to my top picks for the best hair products with natural ingredients, click here for my recommended products page (on this website).
| Disclaimer: Always consult with your dermatologist and licensed cosmetologist before using any hair product to make sure it’s right for your scalp and hair type. This article contains no medical advice or beauty advice and is for informational purposes only. The info below is only my personal extensive research and opinion. |
When searching for hair products with natural ingredients, it’s very important to read the ingredients label.
The FDA lists allergens on their website that are frequently found in cosmetic products (such as hair products). 3 See the list below for some of the things they report.
If you want to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction or skin irritation, here are the ingredients to AVOID in hair products:
- Fragrance – when listed as the isolated word “Fragrance” on the label (read below why)
- Methylisothiazolinone (also listed as MIT)
- Formaldehyde
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (also listed as CMIT)
- Quaternium-15
- Dowicil 200
- N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- DMDM hydantoin
- 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
- 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Bronopol
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
Don’t worry, I can’t pronounce them either. Just be warned about the sneaky word “Fragrance”. See why below.
Is Fragrance Bad for Skin?
The FDA says that they don’t regulate “fragrance” in cosmetics like they do for food. 1 In the same article on their website, the FDA states that even though some people may be allergic or sensitive to these “fragrances”, they don’t have the legal authority to require companies to label the allergens. The company is allowed to disguise it as the word “fragrance”.
THAT MEANS THERE COULD BE AN ALLERGEN IN YOUR “NATURAL” HAIR PRODUCT IF IT SAYS “FRAGRANCE” (as a stand-alone word) ON THE LABEL.
The FDA says that a “fragrance” can be a mixture of natural and synthetic chemical ingredients. 1 Note the word SYNTHETIC here. If you want to know if all the ingredients in your product are natural, you’ll never truly know if the label says “fragrance”. Skip it and move on. Or write the company. They probably won’t tell you, calling it a “trade secret.”
My personal opinion is that when someone puts “fragrance” on the label, I think to myself, “What are they hiding?” The European Commission actually says that even some natural fragrances can be allergens. I am a fan of transparency in labeling.
Always trust your gut feeling about something. Then make sure you can prove it with scientific evidence or personal experience.
The European Commission states that the following fragrance chemicals are allergens 2 :
- Amyl cinnamal
- Amylcinnamyl alcohol
- Benzyl alcohol
- Benzyl salicylate
- Cinnamyl alcohol
- Cinnamal
- Citral
- Coumarin
- Eugenol
- Geraniol
- Hydroxycitronellal
- Hydroxymethylpentyl-cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde
- Isoeugenol
- Anisyl alcohol
- Benzyl benzoate
- Benzyl cinnamate
- Citronellol
- Farnesol
- Hexyl cinnamaldehyde
- Lilial
- d-Limonene
- Linalool
- Methyl heptine carbonate
- 3-Methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one
- Oak moss
- Tree moss
If you know you are allergic or sensitive to any of the above ingredients, you should avoid a product completely and consult a dermatologist or a qualified physician. You should also avoid anything with “fragrance” written as a singular word on the ingredients label. Anything on the above list could be hiding behind that word.
It would seem logical that if a person has extremely sensitive skin, it would be wise to avoid exposure to anything on the list above. If you see “fragrance” on your hair product label, it’s possible that any of the above allergens could be in it. You just don’t know. Because they don’t have to tell you. And the FDA doesn’t make them tell you. It just says “fragrance“.
Hmmm.
You should always do a patch test on your skin before using any hair product. Have a doctor check how your skin reacts, in order to determine if the product is safe for you. Make sure that your doctor does the patch test, not you. A doctor always knows best.
If you want to keep your hair naturally healthy…
Disclaimer: Make sure you check with your doctor before following any of the tips below. This is not medical advice or dietary advice. It’s just what I do to keep my hair naturally healthy, soft, and hydrated:
- Make sure you get a good diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables. They have natural vitamins, enzymes, and minerals that you don’t get in dead and stale food (like chips, bread, pasta, and sugar). Buy organic when you can (to avoid synthetic chemicals).
- Eat enough healthy protein to support the strength and basic structure of the hair shaft. Healthy protein includes: walnuts, pistachios, almonds, pea protein powder, brazil nuts, black beans, tahini (sesame paste), pinto beans, sacha inchi seeds, organic tofu, hemp seeds, almond butter, vegan protein powder, lentils, garbanzos, hummus, and nutritional yeast.
- A protein shake is a quick and excellent way to get protein (try hemp, pea, or a vegan protein powder blend). Plant proteins are more gentle on your kidneys and don’t harm animals.
- Eat healthy fats to keep your skin and hair naturally hydrated:
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Avocados
- Organic Cold-Pressed Flaxseed Oil
- If your doctor approves, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends that adults get between 2.5 – 5 hours per week of moderate exercise. 4 Yoga is a super popular choice for healthy moderate exercise today. The upside down poses (inverted) encourage more circulation to the scalp and hair follicles, which helps keep hair healthy. Ask your doctor before exercising!
- Exercise increases circulation to the scalp, providing natural moisture and increased metabolism to the hair follicles.
- Do a deep conditioning treatment once per week with your hair in a plastic cap and wrapped up in a towel. Leave on according to the time specified on the instructions label.
*** TIP: I also learned that when I get out of the shower, it’s important NOT to fuss with your wet hair too much! If you comb or brush the heck out of it, it can frizz and flatten your natural waves or curls. You can finger comb your conditioner in the shower and rinse it off. When you get out of the shower, consider it already combed! Just let it go. Don’t beat it up. Put on a hair product that’s natural and walk away. It dries so much more defined!
What to Look for in a Natural Shampoo
There are so many different brands of natural shampoo to choose from. Unfortunately, there is a lot of greenwashing out there. Your safest bet is to choose a shampoo that discloses all the ingredients on the label. That means you should avoid anything with the isolated word “fragrance” on the label.
When choosing a natural shampoo, look for the following:
- Free of GMO’s
- Made with certified organic ingredients
- No testing on animals
- Free of toxic chemicals
- Bottles without BPA
- Vegan
- Free of parabens
- Free of SLES
- Free of SLS
- Free of PG and its derivatives
- Free of sulfates
It’s really hard to find a quality product that meets all the above criteria! Click here on my recommended hair products page to see the top pick for natural shampoo.
Natural Conditioner for Hair
After cleansing your hair with a natural shampoo, it’s important to follow-up with a natural conditioner to keep your hair soft, shiny, and moisturized. Natural conditioners should contain pure ingredients from nature and be free from chemicals known to cause allergies.
What to look for in a natural conditioner:
- It should be sulfate free.
- Make sure the bottle is BPA free.
- Check to see if the label says hypoallergenic (that means it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction).
- A good ingredient to look for on the label is argan oil.
- It should be paraben free.
- It should enhance and soften the natural shape of your hair.
- If you have curls, it should define and soften them (NOT make them frizz).
- If you have wavy hair, it should make your waves look more graceful, flowing, and uniform.
- It shouldn’t have any artificial color.
- The fragrance used should be fully disclosed as to what ingredient is really in there. If the label only says the isolated word “fragrance”, skip it! It could contain an allergen! A company should tell you what makes their conditioner smell good. Most people want to know. Some companies get weird about protecting what they claim are “trade secrets”. I just don’t buy their products. (we vote with our dollar)
- People have a right to know what they’re putting on their bodies.
- Most people appreciate transparency in labeling.
If you’d like to see what I personally use and consider the best natural conditioner for the hair, click here for my recommended hair products with natural ingredients (on this website). I am a repeat customer of this product. It makes my hair so soft! This was the first product that took the frizz bomb out of my hair. Ever.
Looking for hair cream for dry hair with natural ingredients?
It’s so important to make sure that your product is free from artificial chemicals. Unfortunately, most products out there contain a bunch of ingredients you can’t pronounce or identify. You find this problem a lot in hair creams.
A good pomade can perform even better than a hair cream! Many people forget that natural pomades can moisturize, fight frizz, define, shine, and condition hair just as well as a cream (or better).
When choosing a hair cream or pomade for dry hair, look for the following things:
- All of the ingredients should be natural.
- It should help smooth out frizzy hair.
- Look for a good moisturizing oil, such as babassu oil.
- It should NOT contain any petroleum.
- The product should define curls.
- If possible, look for a certified organic product.
- If the label shows the stand-alone word “fragrance”, skip it. You have a right to know what the fragrance is. You’re putting it on your body after all! The body is sacred. It deserves the best. Look for transparent labeling regarding the fragrance. For example, it should list the specific essential oils used to make it smell amazing.
If you want to see my top pick for hair cream with natural ingredients, click on my recommended hair products page here (on this website).
What Argan Oil to Buy
If you’re searching for a good argan oil to keep your hair soft, smooth, and moisturized, here are some important buyer’s tips to look out for:
- Make sure it comes in a glass bottle. You don’t want plastic to leak into your product.
- Read the ingredients label. Make sure it says 100% argan oil. Some products will cheat and combine it with cheap fillers in order to make a profit. If it’s mixed with anything, skip it. The label should read: 100% argan oil.
- In a world of pollutants, choose an argan oil that is certified organic. You’re sure to avoid toxins and unwanted chemicals in the product this way. These chemicals can taint the purity of the oil.
- Choose COLD-PRESSED argan oil. This helps preserve the purity of the product in its natural state.
- Make sure it’s in a dark brown bottle. This helps prevent oxidation of the oil, which happens if too much light gets through. A brown glass bottle reduces the amount of damaging light that gets into the oil.
- It should be free of parabens, sulfates, and fragrance.
Here’s my #1 pick for the very best argan oil for hair: (click here for my recommended hair products page) on this website.
Is there a hair spray with natural ingredients?
If you’re like me and struggle with finding a good hair spray with natural ingredients, I’m here to empathize with you. In a world where spraying toxic chemicals into the air seems to be the norm (unfortunately), it’s a relief to know that hair spray with natural ingredients is finally becoming popular!
It’s a relief to find a hair spray that’s completely natural! You would think that more companies would be making it, but they aren’t. It’s definitely going to be the wave of the future in the upcoming years. I hope someone reads this and starts their own organic hair spray company! We need more!
When choosing a hair spray with natural ingredients, look for the following:
- All the ingredients on the label should be natural.
- It should be alcohol-free.
- The bottle shouldn’t have a propellant.
- The formula should be water-based (not alcohol-based).
- It should be PABA-free.
- Look for Non-GMO on the label.
- Cruelty-free
- It’s a bonus if it states Vegan on the label.
- If possible, see if the company uses organic ingredients. That’s better, of course.
To see my top pick for the best hair spray with natural ingredients, click here on my recommended hair products page on this website.
What is a natural shampoo and conditioner?
A natural shampoo and conditioner should be free of toxic chemicals and allergens. They should contain natural ingredients, be cruelty-free, and state on the label the specific fragrance they use. It should NOT state the ingredient “fragrance” on the label. An allergen could be hiding behind that word.
Is all natural shampoo and conditioner good for your hair? In my opinion, it’s better than the chemical stuff. You’re less likely to have an allergic reaction if you use products that tell you exactly what’s in their formula. Many companies hide behind the word “fragrance” on the label, which could possibly cause an allergic reaction (see top of this article for more details on FDA regulations).
If you want to see my top picks for the best shampoo and conditioner without chemicals, click here on my recommended hair products page. I’ve done a lot of research and experimentation to find products that I feel are healthier. Natural beauty products are becoming more popular since so many people are starting to wake up around the world. More and more people are caring about what they put on and inside their bodies.
What are hair products that are all natural?
Hair products that are all natural contain ingredients that are 100% sourced from nature. They don’t contain any artificial chemicals, GMO’s, toxins, or allergens. These products are shockingly difficult to find. There are really only a few good ones out there.
I’ve compiled my personal list of favorite hair products with natural ingredients. Some of them are 100% natural (which is the true definition of “all natural”), and others are mostly natural (majority of ingredients come from nature). If you’d like to see my top picks for hair products with natural ingredients, click here on my hair product page.
If you want to make sure that all the ingredients in your hair products are natural, be sure the labels states “100% Natural“, or something similar. If you’re not sure, write the company and ask. Again, it’s hard to find any product that’s 100% natural these days. Also, look for certified organic, which is a smarter choice.
Conclusion
It’s so important to understand what hair products with natural ingredients are. When people use the right shampoo, conditioner, and styling products, the hair becomes healthier and easier to manage. Many people just don’t know that their drugstore products are stripping away their natural oils and stealing definition from their gorgeous curls and waves!
A good product is golden. Once you find the right one, you’ll never go back. When you SEE the difference hair products with natural ingredients make, you’ll become a believer yourself.
We should be more gentle and loving with our hair. I once heard a stylist say that hair should be treated like a delicate fabric. Unfortunately, many of us treat our hair like we’re putting our heads through a car wash. Just kidding. But you know what I mean. Since I started being more gentle on my hair and actually using the RIGHT product for my frizzy curly bush bomb, my hair became soft, wavy, and beautiful again.
I didn’t think that I could possibly be beautiful without coloring, pressing, and heating the heck out of my hair. Letting it return to nature with a little self care, compassion for my natural self, and embracing the real me has actually boosted my self-esteem. I’m finally okay with who I naturally am. And others will know when you’re comfortable in your own skin!
I still tame my wild hair with a good natural styling product, so that helps to keep things in control. It’s quick and I’m out the door. When I spend less time on my hair, I have more time for meditation and cleaning out my soul. These things are far more important than trying to be someone I’m not.
Be YOU. Embrace it. Wear it. Love the way nature made you. It doesn’t make mistakes. We are united and beautiful in our individuality. There is no one like YOU! Stay gorgeous, just like the way you were born.
Hopefully, you’ve now discovered what the best hair products with natural ingredients are.
Carpe diem.
- Here are my top recommended hair products that are natural: (click for best hair products page on this website).
References:
1. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2018). Fragrances in Cosmetics [article]. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics#labeling on 04/01/2020.
2. European Commission. (2012). Perfume Allergies [article]. Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/perfume-allergies/en/l-3/1-introduction.htm on 04/01/2020.
3. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2019). Allergens in Cosmetics [article]. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/allergens-cosmetics on 04/01/2020.
4. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2019). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [article]. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/physical-activity-guidelines-for-americans/index.html on 04/01/2020.
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