Understandably, you want to make sure the products you put on your hair and skin are safe.
You’ve probably heard “natural is better” from us and other beauty brands that take care to offer products that help rather than hurt. But, sometimes this conversation gets stripped of important nuance.
Debunking “Only Use Ingredients You Can Pronounce”
Hey, don’t be afraid of chemicals. You are made of chemicals- as is everything you can see, touch, smell… Anything made up of matter is made up of chemicals.
And if you get down to the chemical level of well, anything- it’ll probably be challenging to pronounce.
So when people tell you to avoid chemicals in your hair care products, they probably mean to avoid synthetic, or man-made chemicals. But, the truth is, an ingredient is not safe simply because it is natural rather than synthetic and vice versa. There are natural irritants and safe synthetic chemicals. Natural plants like poison ivy and poison oak are likely to irritate your skin, for example.
Furthermore, using words like “non-toxic,” “clean,” “organic,” and “natural” in beauty product branding is largely unregulated. Ditto for “green” and “sustainable.” So, when you see these terms, know what you’re seeing is often more marketing than science.
So where does that leave you, the health-conscious, ethical consumer?
Well, unfortunately, it means you have to research ingredients to make sure they align with your values and health needs.
To help you out, here are some hard-to-pronounce but healthy ingredients we use in some of our Vigor Roots products to benefit your hair.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
You’ll find behentrimonium methosulfate in many hair care products due to its attributes of:
- Smoothing and softening the texture of the hair
- Detangling
- Preventing frizz & flyaways
- Preventing static and friction-related breakage
- Hydration & moisture retention
It’s also prized for its emulsifying properties that bind oil and water-based ingredients together into a spreadable, easy-to-use cream.
Decyl-Glucoside
Decyl-glucoside is a gentle, plant-based cleanser, a great alternative to controversial detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate.
You can count on decyl-glucoside to properly cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping them of their protective natural oils.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which attracts water and helps your hair and skin to retain moisture. It’s revered for its ability to deeply hydrate your hair and scalp without causing buildup and is suitable for all hair types and textures.
Don’t let the word “acid” scare you, hyaluronic acid is actually a naturally occurring substance often found in the skin and connective tissue of the body.
Panthenol
Panthenol is a common ingredient found in many foods, supplements, and beauty products. In the body, panthenol is converted into vitamin B5, which has many health benefits.
A natural humectant, panthenol is often included in hair care products as a moisturizer and to improve the softness, shine, and strength of the hair.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is found in everything from beauty products to gluten-free baking, to industrial products. It is used as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer that prevents ingredients from separating.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it safe for consumption and has no limits on how much xanthan gum food may contain. It’s so common, you’ve probably eaten it this week!
In other words, it’s a safe ingredient that keeps your hair products the proper consistency to effectively deliver nutrients to your hair and scalp.
Hard To Pronounce But Healthy
Vigor Roots was founded to make hair and scalp health accessible to everyone. That includes arming you with the knowledge you need to put only the healthiest ingredients on your crown. We want you to do your research so that you feel good about what you’re putting on your head. When you do, we know you’ll feel confident about the high-quality, plant-based ingredients we carefully source for our products.
Fall in love with your healthiest ever hair with the Root Care Bundle: our beloved Root22Serum, RootCleanse Shampoo, and RootQuench Conditioner. And make sure to join our email list for 10% off your next order.
