Has silicone-based hair care lost its shine? Here we explore the impact silicone can have on your hair and explain how silicone-free conditioners can help you to achieve a glossy, smooth style.
Why is silicone added to conditioner?
Silicone is a wax-like substance that is commonly added to high-street shampoos and conditioners.
When applied to the hair, silicone coats the hair strands to flatten-out frizz and this give the appearance of a smooth, shiny style. Silicone also expands when heated so can make the hair appear thicker.
Unfortunately, appearances can be deceptive, and the reality is that long-term use of silicone-based conditioners could leave your tresses in distress.
Why is silicone bad for hair?
Silicones contribute to dry hair
Silicones form a film over the hair shaft. This coats the hair and temporarily smooths over frizz but by doing so, it prevents moisture from reaching the hair.
If your hair becomes dry and brittle you might be tempted to apply more conditioner, but hair has a delicate pH balance and regularly exposing it to alkaline silicones can cause it to become more vulnerable to dryness and split ends.
For a natural way to condition and hydrate your hair look for silicone-free conditioners containing Marshmallow Root or Artichoke.
Incredibly hydrating, Marshmallow Root delivers moisture to thirsty, frizzy hair whilst Artichoke is rich in antioxidants and revives dull, damaged hair.
Silicones don't wash out
Silicones are water insoluble and this means that even if you thoroughly rinse your hair after conditioning, if you use a silicone-based conditioner there is a risk that the silicone won’t wash away.
A build-up of silicone can weigh the hair down and this could leave your locks looking lacklustre.
Conditioning the roots of your hair is not recommended but if you do apply conditioner to the scalp extra care should be taken to remove any traces of the conditioner.
This is because silicone wax residue can attract bacteria to the scalp and leave it feeling itchy and at risk of infection.
Worried that you have a build-up of silicone in your hair? For an effective, natural way to remove stubborn silicones, wash your hair with our Protein-Boost Shampoo.
This frizz-fighting, silicone-free shampoo removes build-up and is rich in plant oils which nourish the hair and scalp. Follow with Protein-Boost Conditioner, a shine-boosting, silicone-free conditioner for all hair types.
Silicones mask problems
Silicones give the illusion of healthy hair but if your hair is damaged it is important that, rather than mask the problem, you address it with hair care designed to remedy damaged hair.
Silicone-free and rich in nutrients and proteins, our Intensive Repair Conditioner is ideal for damaged hair. We recommend applying it to the ends of your hair after washing with our Intensive Repair Shampoo. Leave it on for at least 1 minute and rinse thoroughly.
For an extra nourishing treat, apply the Intensive Repair Conditioner to damp hair and wrap the hair in a hot towel. Leave your hair mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse it out.
Is my conditioner silicone-free?
Spotting silicones in conditioner can be tricky, they are often listed by their chemical ingredients names and most commonly include dimethicone.
To make it easier to spot whether your hair care is silicone-free, Green People makes its entire range of organic shampoos and conditioners without silicone. Instead we pack our hair care products with natural oils which can deliver softness and shine to all hair types.
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