Ingredients to Avoid in Conditioners

There can be a whole range of ingredients that are used in mainstream conditioners that you want to avoid. Here are the top 4 ingredients you need to avoid in your hair conditioner and why.

The primary function of a traditional hair conditioner is to make the hair easier to comb. Shampoos clean the exterior of the hair, while conditioning treatments leave behind deposits that provide lubrication to enhance the feel of our hair and facilitate its manageability.

Conditioners are true hair care products. Their primary role is to restore the hair’s natural beauty to give the hair suppleness, softness and sheen, as well as confer sleek lubricity and gloss to the hair. However, not all hair conditioners are made equal. Organic hair conditioners go beyond simply focusing on the appearance and feel of the hair and try to impart specific benefits and qualities to the hair while some other conditioners can have some negative and even potentially harmful effects. In order to protect your hair we wanted to make it easy for you to know what to look out for when shopping for a conditioner, so here are the top ingredients to avoid in conditioners.

Silicones

The issue with silicones is that they create a film around your hair that stops moisture from entering the hair cuticle. The film also attracts dirt and causes product to build up so, your hair will need to be washed out more frequently. However, since silicones are water resistant it means it will need to be washed with a strong shampoo to strip out the product. This cycle of a harsh wash and product build up will cause your hair to become dry and brittle since no actual moisture is making its way into the hair.
Instead of silicones, hair oils can provide great natural moisturising benefits for curly hair.

Keep an eye out for words ending in 'cone' on the ingredient list, e.g. dimethicone.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a cocktail of different chemicals that are byproducts of the petroleum production process, so Petroleum jelly found in hair grease like Blue Magic or Vaseline is a Paraffin wax. Paraffin wax should be avoided in haircare products because they can weigh down the hair and leave it greasy. Many hair products contain waxy substances that can stick to your hair and scalp if not thoroughly rinsed out when you wash it. It causes strands to become stiff and lifeless as a result of being weighed down by leftover product residue. It can also make it difficult for your hair to retain any moisture, the thick coating can make your hair appear shiny, but traps any moisture and oxygen entering the hair and can trigger conditions like Dandruff and a dry itchy scalp.

Drying Alcohols

While not all alcohols are bad for your hair. Short chain acids found in alcohols like Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propyl Alcohol, Ethanol and more can have a quick drying effect on your hair and should be avoided in conditioners. They evaporate quickly and so they are used in hair and skin care products as an additive to help decrease the time it takes for a product to dry once applied or added to preserve a product. But the flip side to their use is that these alcohols also evaporate the moisture from your hair. This causes the cuticle to roughen, leaving the hair dry, brittle and frizzy.

Avoid Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propyl Alcohol and Ethanol in hair conditioners.

Parabens

Parabens are used within preservatives but can be too strong for your hair if used in high amounts. These preservatives can cause skin sensitivities, whether that’s an allergic reaction or rash. They can also cause a number of problems for your hair including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your colour, and even hair loss. Some research has even linked Parabens to breast cancer, and that it can contribute to organ toxicity as well. There are some concerns around very high concentrations of parabens in products, but fortunately, regulations are in place to ensure a ‘safe level’ and that the relevant product forms are OK to use parabens. In fact, regulatory bodies around the world permit the use of parabens. However if you are unsure about the health implications, it is wise to avoid this ingredient from your conditioner.

What Conditioners Can I Use?

Hopefully this blog has opened your eyes to the ingredients that you should avoid in your hair products. At That Good Hair we offer a full range of conditioners that are free from silicones, parabens, paraffin wax and drying alcohols. These paraben-free formulas are also enriched natural botanical extracts and nourishing oils to naturally add shine and impart beneficial properties to your hair.

Our Curl Definition Conditioner is a great example of the power of natural ingredients. It can help with enhancing your natural curl pattern, calming frizz and soothing your scalp.

Check Out Our Hair Products

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