Why sulfates, parabens and silicones are bad for your hair

When I first transformed my skin by going clean, I saw the amazing results and wanted to do the same for my hair. But it seemed like I had to pick between natural, environmentally-friendly products that didn’t give me the same results I wanted, or performance-driven products that were chock full of chemicals. When I founded my own brand, it was with the purpose of tackling both these issues—creating both high-performance and clean products that are the equivalent of skincare for the hair.

Unfortunately, there are still many brands out there that claim to be “clean” but still include unsafe and damaging ingredients like silicones, sulfates, and parabens in their formulas. The hair care aisle is behind, dominated by a styling approach rather than a nourishing one—think covering up with makeup rather than healing with skincare.
Here’s how to spot these dangerous ingredients and why you should steer clear.

Silicones are the most sneaky ingredient, found in nearly every category of beauty from haircare to makeup. These microplastics are used to create silky slip and shine; however, they are more of a band-aid than a cure for the root problem. Silicones have a temporary softening effect on hair, making it look sleek and shiny for a short period of time. Eventually, though, they build up and weaken the follicles—leaving hair dry, dull, heavy, and prone to breakage.

Opting for clean, silicone-free products can help balance the natural oils of your scalp and naturally soften your locks over time. Silicones come in many different forms and are not always easy to spot in an ingredient list, they often hide behind ingredients that end in -cone, -conols, -silones, and -siloxanes.

Sulfates are detergents that make shampoos lather and wash away dirt and buildup - but they are too powerful, often stripping our scalps of the natural oils and proteins that nourish, strengthen, and protect our hair. If you’ve ever washed your hair with a drug store brand and found it feeling “squeaky clean” after (not actually a good thing!), that’s from the sulfates.

The most common sulfate found in shampoos and other hair care products is sodium laureth sulfate, but there are others to look out for, too: namely, sodium lauryl sulfate, laureth sulfate sodium, lauryl sulfoacetate sodium, lauroyl isethionate, and sodium lauroyl taurate.

Parabens are usually included in haircare products to help extend their shelf life. But while keeping your product shelf-stable is important, this usually comes at the cost of your hair’s health. Parabens can cause irritation, drying, and even hair loss, and have been known to fade the color of dyed hair. But parabens are also harmful for your body. Because your scalp is one of the most absorbent parts of your skin, parabens can also enter your bloodstream, where they may cause a host of other health issues such as cancer and hormone imbalances.

To avoid products with parabens, look for ingredients labeled butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, and isobutylparaben.

While clean formulas usually don't have the same quick fix appeal, there are powerful brands out there pushing the boundaries for what we as consumers can expect from clean beauty. The good news is that we no longer have to pick between performance and safety. And if you haven’t started on your clean journey just yet, remember: it's never too late to do right by your hair.