In today’s world, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the latest trends and buzzwords within the beauty industry. Lately, it seems like every shampoo on the market is labeling itself as paraben free. This begs the questions, what are parabens and why do I not want them near my hair?
Let’s examine just exactly what parabens are and why they are dangerous. Parabens are chemicals that have been used in shampoos, deodorants, lotions, etc. since the 1950s as cleaning agents and preservatives.
The reason for their recent notoriety is the fact that several current studies have proven that parabens can mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen within the body. This has proven to be extremely dangerous and potentially cancer-causing, as this type of estrogen activity is often associated with breast cancer.
Furthermore, parabens have been found present in breast tumours making repeat exposure to paraben-containing products especially dangerous for women who are already more susceptible to breast cancer.
For health reasons it is now obvious that we need to steer clear from paraben-containing products: however, for many finding a paraben free shampoo that provides the same quality and effect of previous paraben containing formulas seems impossible. Don’t worry! We are here to tell you that you don’t have to sacrifice style for health. You can truly have the best of both worlds!
Check out the following five brands that can provide you with safe, happy, and healthy hair. All suggestions listed are suitable for colour treated and/or chemically treated hair. Our suggestions are based on scientific research and actual user reviews.
1. Luxeorganix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
Luxeorganix is a small USA company that strives to provide quality health and beauty products using only the safest and most natural ingredients and processes. This cruelty-free brand recognizes that many other organic paraben-free brands produce shampoos that while safe, leave hair weighed down, greasy, or just plain blah.
Luxeorganix stands out among other organic companies by producing a product with salon quality results using only natural ingredients. Their formula is heavily reliant upon cold pressed Argan oil extracted by communities of women in Morocco.
Argan oil is an incredibly antioxidant and vitamin-rich moisturizing agent that has been used by Moroccan women for centuries as a beautifier and healing serum for hair and skin. The argan oil leaves hair smooth, shiny, and soft—helping to repair all types of damage from chemical to heat-induced. Not only does the argan oil repair hair, but also it protects hair from further UV and Heat Damage.
This formula stands out as being wonderfully suited for keratin treated hair—something, not all paraben free shampoos are capable of. Luxeorganix Moroccan Argan Oil line is especially great for hair with any sort of wave and curl. Guaranteed to act as a curl enhancer to provide you with a smooth and glossy frizz-free style. This product is perfect for someone looking for an organic brand that provides salon quality results.
2. Grace & Stella Co’s Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Grace & Stella Co provides another great cruelty-free organic option for the eco-conscious shopper looking for a great product at a great price point. At only 15$ for both the shampoo and conditioner, their Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner set packs a mighty punch.
Using a quality cocktail of argan, jojoba, and macadamia nut oils to restore and strengthen weak, damaged, and brittle hair—this formula works to undo the damage we inflict daily from colouring, heat styling, and the environment. The jojoba oil’s molecular structure works to gently dislodge dirt from the hair follicle without stripping the hair of its natural oils, while the argan and macadamia nut oils moisturize to create soft, strong, and shiny hair.
Aloe and vitamin C within the formula also work to sooth the scalp and clear up any itching or dandruff issues, while further promoting circulation in the scalp for faster hair growth. This formula is suited for all hair types, but those with fine hair may want to use the conditioner sparingly—many with fine hair have reported that their hair was suitably moisturized with just the shampoo alone! This is the shampoo that just keeps on giving with users claiming that hair brilliance and shine just increases with continued use!
3. OGX Hydrating Tea Tree Mint Moisturizing Shampoo
This shampoo is a drugstore wonder that proves healthy and happy hair is attainable by all! At 5$, it is affordable for most, but don’t let the low price fool you—it uses top quality ingredients to provide you with gorgeous hair and a healthy scalp. This shampoo is a daily formula, meant that you can use it every day without build up or the stripping away of good nutrients and oils from your hair. It’s great for fine greasy hair that needs a daily wash and is shy of conditioner.
Like our previous entry, users report that it’s so moisturizing you can skip the conditioner. This formula uses Australian tea tree oil and milk proteins to strengthen hair and smooth the outer layer of the hair cuticle to reduce frizz and the appearance of split ends.
The tea tree oil is also particularly suited for coarse dry hair in need of serious moisture and softness. Your scalp will also be very happy with this shampoo. Tea tree oil is a known dandruff killer that will clear up any flakiness or itching while providing soothing moisture.
The formula continues to show your scalp some love with its micro-infused peppermint oils that stimulate the scalp to promote hair growth and healthy skin. This shampoo is a great wallet-friendly option for superb hair care that according to users provides results comparable to much more expensive brands like Pureology.
4. Herbal Essences Naked Volume White Grapefruit and Mosa Mint Shampoo and Conditioner
Another nicely priced drugstore favourite makes our list with this new line from Herbal Essences. This line is formulated to be particularly safe for colour treated hair and works to keep your colour looking brighter for longer. Mint makes another appearance as a scalp soother, while the grapefruit provides a refreshing scent.
Herbal Essences employs a luxurious blend of antioxidant-rich aloe and sea kelp that works to deeply moisturize and repair hair. Aloe is a particularly soothing addition to heavily bleached and brittle strands. With prolonged use, hair becomes more vibrant, manageable, and healthy looking—returning to its pre-damaged texture within 21 days of continuous use.
Argan oil is again employed with a special emphasis on long-lasting frizz protection. Users report that this is a great product for people fighting frizz in humid climates. The body and volume this line provides will also delight fine hair.
5. Luseta Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner
Fine, thin hair rejoice! This shampoo line is not only safe and paraben free but provides a huge boost to thickness and volume. The stars of this formula are its use of Biotin¬— also known as Vitamin B7—and collagen. Biotin, the key factor in the latest beauty vitamins that are all the rage, is a key component in the production of healthy hair.
In this shampoo, it acts to encourage healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss—a little-discussed problem many women face. Collagen, a protein that promotes cell renewal, also comes into play to help fortify your hair and to protect their elasticity and promote regeneration of damaged strands.
This product is perfect for women over 35 who are facing hair loss and thinning after years of damage, or for anyone with naturally fine thin locks. Users report that it keeps its promises when it comes to promoting hair growth—consumers recovering from hair loss due to chemotherapy report this product as a lifesaver.
Argan oil is again used to promote moisture and shine without weighing down hair or leaving it appearing greasy or heavy. This shampoo and conditioner set ranks as one of the pricier products on the list at 55$ but its quality and rave reviews make it worth the price point. A must for those seeking healthier, fuller hair that is full of volume and shine.
6. Puracy Natural Shampoo and Conditioner Set
This set from Puracy boasts a completely natural design and formulation for those who are committed to using only the purest most natural products. The shampoo and conditioner are not only paraben and sulfate free, but are completely plant-based! Coconut is used as the base of the cleanser, which creates a luxurious foaming action that is often difficult to find in natural products.
Vitamins B5 and E provide healing to damaged brittle strands and ensure strength. While your friendly neighbourhood olive oil is used to create squalane a highly effective natural emollient and antioxidant that hydrates strands of shiny hair that is static and frizz free.
For anyone with sensitive skin, or who is particularly sensitive to chemicals this is a great buy! Its natural formula is irritant free and hypoallergenic.
This makes the product great for anyone with allergies, asthma, or skin conditions such as eczema. It’s also suitable for all hair types and colour/ chemical treated hair safe! Most users report being hooked, unable to believe that a completely natural and gentle product can produce such great looking manageable hair.
7. Luseta Marula Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Luseta makes the list yet again with this outstanding line and its use of an unusual new ingredient: marula oil. Those with fine hair that is also dry often find themselves in a bind. If a product is moisturizing it may weigh hair down—even our favourite argan oil could be too heavy for the finest and most delicate of strands.
If a product is volumizing it’s usually full of heavy chemical components and tends to strip already dry hair of any moisture giving you volume but no relief from dry damaged hair. Marula oil solves this problem. Derived from the nut of the South African marula tree, marula oil is being hailed by many as a ‘miracle oil’ due to its abilities to hydrate skin and hair beautifully!
Marula oil penetrates the hair cuticle quickly and is rapidly absorbed—locking in moisture and shine without the weight of other oils. This dreamy formula also claims to boost cellular activity to achieve a healthy, hydrated, and renewed look. Marula oil also provides serves as a natural defense to environmental attackers like pollutants and free radicals, heat styling, and UV rays. Users also report that the marula oil is great for scalp conditions like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
Marula oil truly is a groundbreaking product, and sure to be seen a lot more in coming years. Soothing and healing irritated, angry scalps and providing beautifully hydrated volume for hair, what’s not to love about this product?
8. Deluge Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
Our final entry is a super luxurious product line that uses science to combat damage from heat, colour, and chemicals. Deluge Moroccan argan oil shampoo and conditioner is infused with keratin, which helps to smooth and straighten naturally straight hair while enhancing and smoothing natural curls.
The keratin combined with a cold-pressed argan oil blend deeply penetrates the hair fibre to repair the follicle, undoing years of damage and strengthening the delicate strands. A combination of omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids work on a microscopic level to smooth the cuticle preventing frizz, flyways, and breakage letting you grow out long healthy locks.
The oil blend also adds a healthy glow and brilliance to your hairdo while providing further heat styling and UV protection to lock in that shine and ward off dullness. This formula works to improve hair of all types at a molecular level by improving the structure of the hair and protect it from further damage. Thus allowing hair to maintain it’s healthy gorgeous style longer, with users reporting needing to style hair less with continued use. As a bonus, this is another product made with an emphasis on cruelty-free and eco-friendly production!
