Long, luscious, shiny locks with body and life are the kind of hair we all want. As a consumer, I am always searching for products and styling tools that get me as close to that as possible.
Enters silicones, the ingredient we often hear about as it is in virtually every product. These rubber-like polymers are used in electronics, toys, insulations, cookware, and even beauty products. Despite silicone's usage in so many products, should they be in our beauty products like hair care?
Silicones are used in virtually all haircare products - shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and even treatments. For anything with the keywords "anti-frizz" and "smooth," the key "active" ingredient is silicone.
Due to the immediate shine and appearance that suitable hair silicones provide, added to the fact that they are inexpensive to use, they are extremely common.
Spotting Silicone
There are many kinds of silicones, so if you are scanning an ingredients label of products with an extensive list of hard to pronounce words - look for ones that end in -cone, chances are they are silicone.
What Silicones Do to Hair
Keep Nutrients Out: As silicones enhance shine and reduce frizz by creating a barrier between hair and water and air, it also keeps everything else out - including any hydrating and nourishing ingredients your hair needs.
Causes Buildup: When silicones flood your hair care routine and shampooing won't get rid of them, they build up on hair. Consistent use will lead hair to feel heavy and greasy, dry, and brittle. Imagine greasy roots and stiff, brittle hair.
This leads to Damage: As hair feels less and less clean due to silicone buildup, greasy scalp, and dry ends. You will want to wash your hair more frequently, which will only extend the problem and lead to hair damage as the vicious cycle ensues.
Swap Silicones for Natural Oils: The only real way to rid your hair of the heavy residue of silicones is to ditch the silicone products altogether and embark on a silicone detox. We know that you want shiny, frizz-free hair - we all do. The good news is that there are silicone-free alternatives to achieve that.
Opt for products with ingredients that are healthier and more beneficial for your hair that tame frizz, impart enviable shine, and actually make your hair healthier over time.
At Oil Divine, we don't settle for ingredients that have no real benefit and value to your skin, hair, and body. We take great pride in formulating effective oil blends made of only ethically sourced premium botanical oils.
Our Hair Growth Oil is an excellent addition to your haircare routine. Formulated with precious plant and ayurvedic oils - a vegan and 15-free, one-of-a-kind scalp treatment that effectively solves the issue of hair thinning and hair loss. Some highlight ingredients are Castor Oil, Brahmi Oil, Karanja Oil, Bhringraj Oil, Tamanu Oil, Baobab Oil, Argan Oil, Shikakai Oil, Rosemary Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Thyme Oil, Turmeric Oil, German Chamomile Oil, and a few more.
It can be easily incorporated into your hair routine; use it twice a week by massaging a generous amount onto your scalp and leaving it on til you are ready to wash it off. We recommend 2+ hours, but you can even throw a shower cap on and leave it on overnight to wash off the next day.
It can also be used as a shine treatment and heat protectant regularly by running a small amount through the minds to ends of hair.