Sep 18, 20193 min read

Why should I switch to silicone free haircare

Ever wondered why silicones are often found in haircare products? The reason is because they provide a conditioning agent to help boost smoothness and shine. "Depending on the materials used, silicones can seal the cuticle, make our hair less porous, and eliminate the things we all want to get rid of like frizz and tangles. However, because there are so many different types and levels of silicones that can be in hair products, depending on what you use, your hair may suffer.

Silicones have little to no affinity with human skin or hair and are water insoluble, meaning they are very tricky to wash out. Silicones create the temporary illusion of healthy hair, but as they continue to build up layer by layer, your hair gets weighed down, can appear greasy, dull and lacking the smoothness and shine that the silicones are meant to provide in the first place.

How do I know if a product contains silicones?

Silicones are polymers with a chemical structure based on chains of alternate silicon and oxygen atoms. There are many different types of silicones and it can be hard to tell if your shampoo or conditioner contains them if you don’t know what you are looking for, but look out for words ending in ‘cone’ on the ingredient list, e.g. dimethicone.

Why should I choose a silicone-free shampoo?

Silicones mask the true condition of your hair. The most common, dimethicone, builds up, is hard to remove and prevents moisture and essential oils from getting to the hair shaft. It can also cause rashes, burning, itching and irritation to the hair follicles, which can initiate hair shedding. To remove silicone build-up, many people resort to using shampoos that contain harsh, irritating foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). SLS strips the natural healthy oils that protect the hair and scalp, putting the skin out of balance which can lead to hair becoming dry, damaged and brittle. This then creates a vicious circle, as the hair becomes more damaged from the use of harsh detergents, more silicones are used to temporarily mask the issue and make hair appear healthier. By using a silicone-free shampoo that doesn’t contain SLS, you can get long-term healthy, shiny hair without using harsh, synthetic chemicals.

Ditching silicone laden hair care will allow moisture to penetrate the hair shafts and the natural oils produced by the scalp can then help nourish and hydrate your hair and restore a healthy balance.

Hair will also need washing less frequently as oil production returns to normal and hair is not weighed down. This will not only leave your hair looking less greasy, it will also save you money in the long run!

Are all silicone-free shampoos the same?

No, just because a shampoo or conditioner is marketed as ‘silicone-free’ that doesn’t necessarily mean it will promote healthy hair. They often still contain a whole host of other nasty ingredients that can potentially damage or irritate your hair and scalp, such as drying alcohol, synthetic colours and fragrances (the leading cause of allergies to cosmetics), PEGs, mineral oil and other chemical nasties that can all put your hair and scalp out of its natural healthy balance.

Silicone-free rescue remedy

As with any switch from synthetic to natural and organic products, you may experience a period of adjustment in which your hair takes a few days to get used to the lack of silicones and other synthetic chemicals. Don’t worry, stick with it! Don’t give up if you don’t see improvement straight away as the long term benefits are healthy, shiny hair that is strong, soft and naturally nourished.

BOYZZ ONLY No Nonsense Shampoo contains a complex blend of natural plant oils, including Safflower, Jojoba and Açai oils, to loosen and dissolve tough-to-remove silicones. As well as natural oils, our No Nonsense Shampoo contains a non-irritating foaming agent to wash away silicones and other build-up, leaving hair light, full of bounce and with a natural healthy shine.

BOYZZ ONLY No Nonsense Conditioner contains organic broccoli extract, this is the first cationic material that is entirely non-petrochemical and produced from 100 % renewable resources. It reduces hair breakage and eliminates static charge. In addition the Organic Açai Oil creates thickness and vibrant looking hair.