Without question, using healthy ingredients for hair care creates some challenges for manufacturers.  Yet, also without question, it absolutely can be done.  Furthermore, it can be done without compromising the luxury, performance and beautiful, manageable hair that consumers absolutely expect.  There are a variety of reasons that companies are hesitant to make the shift to healthier formulations.  The issues listed below are by no means exhaustive, but they do represent the most common obstacles manufacturers face.

 

Synthetic, man-made ingredients are almost always less expensive than naturals, botanicals and organics. The primary purpose of shampoo is to cleanse the hair and this is accomplished through the use of surfactants. Many of the surfactants used in shampoos are also used for other applications such as cleaning engines or concrete. Because of their multi-purpose uses, chemical surfactants are manufactured in very large quantities. This massive production drives prices down and allows shampoo manufacturers to keep their costs very low. 

 

We cannot tell a lie. Salon Natural’s manufacturing process for our shampoos and conditioners is a complicated one that requires time, patience, extreme attention to detail, cutting edge techniques and a hefty financial investment. Many of the steps we must take to ensure a quality product are necessary solely because of the healthy ingredients we use. Many of our ingredients are extremely delicate, therefore we must take extra precautions in handling them to ensure they maintain their effectiveness.   Even our facility clean-up procedures are more tedious as we choose not to utilize chemical solvents on any of our manufacturing equipment. In order for a manufacturer to shift from using mass-marketed chemicals to using naturals, botanicals and organics, it would be necessary to replace the majority of their equipment and to completely revamp their processes. The effect this would have on their profitability would be very substantial.

 

Among the most damaging and dangerous ingredients in the hair care industry are additives used to enhance a product’s fragrance.   Fragrance oils are the absolute leading cause of allergies in personal care items and often cause headaches, dizziness, rash, hyper-pigmentation, coughing, vomiting and skin irritation.   However, few consumers find unscented shampoos and conditioners appealing. Is there a healthy alternative that does not sacrifice the appeal of a pleasing scent? Absolutely. Essential oils are not only safe, but have both nutritional and healing properties that are beneficial to hair. Unfortunately, they are significantly more expensive than synthetic fragrance oils and this causes most manufacturers to turn away from this option.  Manufacturers also realize that consumers enjoy a shampoo that offers a terrific lather. Even though the amount of lather has no effect on how clean the hair gets, manufacturers add specific ingredients to their formulations to boost foam and bubbles. Unfortunately, these ingredients are frequently among the very harshest and most damaging ingredients used. Some of the most common foam boosters actually shrink the hair follicle and diminish its elasticity, thereby causing dryness, brittleness and breakage. 

 

There will most likely be a time in the future when personal care products are regulated and held to the same standards of safety that currently apply to foods and drugs.  Until then, consumers must take individual responsibility to research and understand the ingredients in their shampoos, baby products and cleansers.  Years of research and experimentation have proven that skin and hair care can be safe and healthy without sacrificing luxury, performance and beautiful results.  High performing, healthy, plant-based products do exist.  Insist on nothing less.