Natural and Eco-Friendly Hair Care Products for a Greener Beauty Routine

The green movement is gaining momentum in the beauty industry, providing more and more options for people to ditch the chemicals and opt for cleaner, greener products. Whether your motivation is to help the environment or to nurture your body with natural products – or both – there are plenty of ways to create a more mindful beauty routine. Start from the top with natural and eco-friendly hair products designed to beautify your locks without compromising the planet. If you’re starting out on a greener lifestyle or looking for ways to increase your know-how and improve your current hair care regimen, these tips and products will point you in the right direction.

The many shades of “green” beauty

Terms like “natural,” “eco-friendly” and “organic” are everywhere these days, but what do they actually mean for your beauty products? As defined by the New York Times, “Natural cosmetics market themselves as containing plant or mineral ingredients; organic products say they are made with agricultural ingredients grown without pesticides.” The labels “green” or “eco-friendly” typically refer to whether a company uses eco-safe ingredients, as well as factors that determine a product’s sustainability and environmental impact, such as packaging and protection of the ecosystem.

If you’re looking for truly chemical-free products, “look for the USDA seal on the label,” advises Joseph Smillie, head of Quality Assurance International, the agency that certifies organic products for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Marie Claire. Beauty products only began receiving certification from the USDA in August 2005, which means that many brands have yet to achieve this official stamp of eco-friendly approval.

For those who want to steer clear of animal byproducts and animal testing, look for labels like vegan, vegetarian and cruelty-free on your product labels.

Know your ingredients

Before you embark on a natural hair care regimen or buy products to enhance your current one, it’s essential to understand product labels. The Daily Green, Good Housekeeping’s guide to green living, recommends avoiding the following common and potentially toxic hair care ingredients:

Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-paraben, etc.) Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS or SLES) Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) Propylene glycol Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethalnolamine (TEA) Imidazoldinyl, urea and diazolidinyl urea Silicone Ethoxylated ingredients (those starting with PEG- or ending with –ETH)

As alternatives, look for products with natural oils including coconut oil and essential oils like lavender, as well as natural butters such as cocoa and shea, all of which can provide healthy hydration for dry, flaky or oily scalps.

Green your hair care routine

Ready to make the shift to a healthy and sustainable hair care routine? We’ve tracked down natural and eco-friendly formulas for every hair type.

Styling products. When it comes to styling, why skimp on quality when there are plenty of natural options for achieving your perfect hairstyle? Rather than buying cheap drugstore products full of harsh chemicals, opt for formulas that integrate organic and botanical ingredients. Product favorites: Rahua Voluminous Hair Spray is the first 100% natural and USDA organic hair spray, infused with the aromatherapy benefits of lavender and eucalyptus, so you can enjoy soft, touchable hair that stays in place all day without the sticky finish. For those who need help with tangles, try Babo Botanicals Berry Primrose Instant Smoothing Detangler. This plant-based and lightweight formula eliminates frizz and revives bedhead.Dry shampoo. Need a way to refresh hair on the go, especially during the warm weather months? A dry shampoo is the perfect choice for anyone with a busy lifestyle to help keep hair silky, clean and rejuvenated between washings.Conditioning treatment. If you don’t have the time or money to go to the salon for an intensive treatment, don’t worry: a deep conditioning treatment in the comfort of home can restore scalp health while boosting moisture and shine. Just look for a hair mask with natural and organic ingredients.Product favorite: Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask contains ungurahua oil, sunflower seed oil, quinoa protein, lavender and eucalyptus to heal, strengthen and clarify hair while promoting relaxation.

Eco-friendly and DIY options for color-treated hair

On the path to a greener lifestyle, you may assume that coloring your hair is a thing of the past. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly and non-toxic options for highlights and hair dye – but they typically require more patience.

Healthy highlights. John Masters, creator of the beauty line John Masters Organics, tells the Kind Life that the best way to get blond highlights without peroxide and bleach is to blend organic fresh-squeezed lemon juice, chamomile and rhubarb root. To prevent the drying effects of lemon juice, add to this mix 20 drops of argan oil, such as Melvita Plant Oils Argan Oil. Once the mixture cools, apply it to your hair daily with a spray bottle as frequently as you wish. You can also boost the lightening effect by exposing hair to the sun.  Goodbye grey. Want to keep hair youthful and vibrant without compromising the health of your body and the planet? Masters recommends mixing organic henna and herbs, taking into consideration your natural color and the color you want. If you opt for store-bought hair dye, TLC advises avoiding potentially carcinogenic chemicals, such as Acid Orange 24 and P-phenylenediamine.

Heading to the stylist? Ask for safer, greener colors that contain certified organic ingredients and fewer chemicals than conventional colors. Avoid color with ammonia, recorcinol, parabens or perfumes, says Masters.

The planet friendly perks of going natural

Nowadays, creating a more natural and eco-friendly beauty regimen is easier than ever – so you can improve the health and appearance of your hair without sacrificing a lot of time or money. When you know you’re making choices that benefit the environment as well as your body, you can look and feel beautiful with a clear conscience.

See also:

Green Your Spring Skincare Routine: Eco-Friendly Beauty Products for Spring

Natural Beauty Handbook

Exploring Eco-Friendly Skincare: 5 Top Brands

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