My Sustainable Haircare Journey
As someone with thick, dry hair, finding a hydrating and sustainable haircare routine has been an ongoing mission. I wanted to share the products I have used over the past year and let you in on my favourites! I try to find products that are made with natural ingredients, are safe for the environment and low/zero waste - as well as hydrating for my hair. My journey is still ongoing and I would love to hear some of your recommendations! Please note that my ratings are from my personal experience. I would recommend trying any of these shampoos/conditioners for yourself!
Ratings
1/10 - awful, bad experience
5/10 - does the job, not personally satisfied
10/10 - great, satisfied
Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Made in Midland, Ontario
Lather 10/10
Smell 10/10
Hydration 8/10
Packaging - plastic free, biodegradable film
Ingredients - natural, vegan, no harmful additives
I really love these shampoo and conditioner bars! They had stopped making them for a while which meant I had to find a new product, however I will definitely be buying again. They are perfect for traveling and the rosemary mint smell is heavenly. The only downside to this product is I find the shampoo bar tends to fall apart after a few weeks of use. I try to use the smaller pieces or a soap bag to get the most out of the product.
Made in Quebec
Lather 5/10
Smell 7/10
Hydration 5/10
Packaging - can choose naked or in cardboard
Ingredients - natural, no harmful additives, vitamins
I wanted to love these bars but unfortunately my hair didn’t. Tanit’s mission and company align perfectly with my values, and their products are full of beneficial vitamins and ingredients. However, I found that the bars struggled with my hair, leaving it dull and dry. I use some of their other products, like their tooth paste tabs (which I love!), and I hope to give their shampoo and conditioner bars another try in the future! These bars hold their shape well and are great for traveling.
Shampoo & Conditioner Bottles
Made in Africa
Lather 10/10
Smell 5/10
Hydration 10/10
Packaging - plastic bottle
Ingredients - natural, vegan, no harmful additives
I love the way this product makes my hair feel. I have used the Jamaican Black Castor Oil shampoo and the Manuka Honey and Yogurt conditioner. After only a few washes I found my hair was shiny and more moisturized. While a larger company than the previous two, Shea Moisture is fair trade and family owned. Unfortunately, the packaging is plastic. While I try to avoid this type of packaging, I recognize it is not always possible. I did reach out to the company to see if they would consider changing from plastic to an alternative.
Made in Canada
Lather 10/10
Smell 5/10
Hydration 5/10
Packaging - plastic bottle
Ingredients - natural, vegan, no harmful additives
I enjoy this product because it was one of the first bottled shampoos that didn’t cause my skin to break out in a rash. The shampoo and conditioner are made of natural ingredients with no harmful additives like SLS, parabens or dyes. I do find, however, that my hair can sometimes feel dry after use. I think Live Clean is great for those with highly sensitive skin as their products are hypoallergenic.
Shampoo & Conditioner Concentrate
Made in Aotearoa, New Zealand
Lather 5/10
Smell 10/10
Hydration 10/10
Packaging - plastic free
Ingredients - natural, vegan, no harmful additives
A new product on the zero waste market are shampoo and conditioner concentrates. These are solid bars of concentrate that, once mixed with hot water, can be poured into any bottle you have currently. I think this is a fantastic idea for those that do not enjoy shampoo bars but want to eliminate plastic bottles from their routine. I reused plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles, giving them a second life. They also cut down on transportation emissions as they are lighter and take up less space then a regular shampoo bottle. Ethique is a great company, their mission aligns with my values, they are transparent, climate positive, and 100% plastic free. I have been using their concentrates with the lavender and peppermint scent, and I feel like I'm in a spa! Other than sometimes leaving my hair feeling dry, I enjoy this product and highly recommend trying!
Overall, finding the right haircare routine for you is an ongoing journey. It can be hard to find a product that checks all of your boxes, but I hope my experiences have helped! Feel free to reach out by email or on instagram with your personal experiences or recommendations!