Table Of Content
The market has responded to the demand for silicone-free hair care products with some natural alternatives. Hair masks are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to silicones as many of them contain dimethicone. (Seriously, spend some time reading ingredients lists online. It's a trip.) That's most likely because you expect our hair to feel incredibly smooth and soft after a mask and including silicone is a great way to achieve that feel. Still, there are hair masks that feature water-soluble silicone instead of the buildup-heavy kind, and this mask from OUAI is one of them. What makes it effective is the blend of a water-soluble silicone — amodimethicone — alongside tamarind seed and artichoke leaf extract which both deeply hydrate as well create a protective layer over the hair shaft to prevent damage. Another great option, according to Garshick, is the Ouai Detox Shampoo, as it not only helps to eliminate excess oil, dirt, and build-up but can also be used on all hair types and textures.
What is silicone in hair products?
Eventually, you can have breakage if you don’t use silicone-containing products correctly. Silicones can protect your hair from heat damage caused by styling tools like blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners. Polymers are chemical compounds made up of small molecules arranged in repeating structures. There are natural and synthetic polymers, however, the ones found in styling products, shampoos and conditioners are the synthetic kinds. If you need some peace of mind, however, silicone is not considered a toxic chemical (via Healthline). Professionals say that when silicones are used as instructed, they are safe and indicate no harm to humans.
How to Identify Silicone Compounds in Hair Products?
Instead of using silicones, this hair oil — which smells better than any other oil I have ever put on my hair — instead seals in moisture and adds shine thanks to safflower and argan oils. It absorbs effortlessly into curls and doesn't create a greasy film or residue. Evaporating silicones are slightly different from the other two, and are added to formulas to help spread the product through the hair and then quickly evaporate, explains cosmetic chemist Genesis Velazquez.
Non-soluble silicones
In the past few decades, there’s been a lot of fear-mongering around silicones in hair products, some of which is arguably deserved. While cosmetic chemist Vince Spinnato assures Allure they're perfectly safe, he also confirms that long-term use can affect the strength and appearance of your hair. “A weighty feel, dryness, and hard-to-remove build-up are common silicone concerns,” he says, adding that silicone usage is less about harm and more about personal preference. When I was a teenager (as my natural hair color started turning darker and I promptly started to dye it lighter) I was told at every salon visit that I was using the wrong products in my hair.
Curly Hair
Samaria tells Allure that she's seen this many times with her clients in the salon. The most common complaint about silicone-based shampoos and conditioners is that they can weigh hair down, especially if it is thin or fine. This build-up tends to happen to people who wash their hair frequently and can be avoided by limiting the number of times you shampoo and condition your hair per week. As you would probably guess, not all silicones have the same properties. You don’t have to worry about tangles or frizz on your curls when you lavish it with Maui moisture. One of its key ingredients is the aloe vera which is known to define curls.
While silicones won't necessarily cause damage to anyone's hair, Garshick explains that people with coarse, thick, curly, and dry hair will generally see the best results from products that contain silicones. While you may have been led to believe otherwise, we’re here to assure you that the answer is no. Most hair care formulas (including some of John Frieda's hair care products) use silicones. The John Frieda formulas are carefully crafted to use the right combination for each product and ensure they are non-drying. Rather than avoiding silicone hair products, the trick is knowing how to find the ones that are right for your hair type.
10 Best Silicone-Free Shampoos and Conditioners for All Hair in 2022 - Cosmopolitan
10 Best Silicone-Free Shampoos and Conditioners for All Hair in 2022.
Posted: Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Free Healthbeat Signup
Achieving smooth, shiny tresses can take a lot of trial and error. (Not to mention purchasing a lot of different products to try.) But if your hair falls into this category, you know it’s not that simple. Your hair is still prone to frizz and dullness, even when it’s perfectly healthy.
Think of a classic French twist or ponytail, where there isn’t much volume. Of course, there’s the option to go silicone-free for good. But since silicone is found in a ton of products, it may be harder than you think. But if you’re worried about the substance’s long-term effects, try cutting your usage down to once a week and applying only a small amount of product.
While silicones can cause build-up, the reason for that build-up is often using too much of a product and not washing it out all the way. Make sure to use leave-in silicone-based products, like serums, in moderation and only apply a dime-sized amount to your hair. For silicone-based shampoos and conditioners, make sure to rinse them out completely.
Shampoos and conditioners containing marula, jojoba, or argan oil are great choices. If you have curly, coarse, dry, or frizzy hair, you’ll benefit the most from silicones. It’s a bad idea to use silicones if you have fine, oily, or very thin hair.
Moisture quickly evaporates from hair with medium or high porosity. The protective coating provided by silicone helps seal in hydration and reduces frizz by sealing out environmental moisture like humidity. That means they don’t break down and rinse out of your hair easily whenever you wash. Nevertheless, many ultimately wonder whether silicones are dangerous for humans. Cosmetic chemist Vince Spinnato tells Allure that silicones are perfectly safe to use but may affect the strength of your hair with long-term use.
People with curly or kinky hair might see the best results from silicone-based products. When trying to understand why silicones have such a bad rep, it's helpful to understand how they work in the first place. "Silicones are hydrophobic, which means they repel water," explains Spinnato. Basically, silicones are put in products because they coat the hair with a thin water-proof (hydrophobic) covering.
Names such as dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and even amodimethicone (or word ending in cone) are examples of this ingredient that you will find in many products for hair and skin. Yes, this is probably the only downside to using a product that contains silicone which is not unusual given its synthetic nature. If a non-water-soluble silicone is used, it may leave traces of it behind. If your hair feels weighed down, you can remove the buildup with a hair cleanser and that’s it. Conversely, some silicones are actually capable of protecting your hair from heat damage (i.e., from heat styling tools), helping you fight frizz, and adding shine. Your hair also gets weaker and is prone to breakage with product build-up.
No comments:
Post a Comment