We’re going to examine what makes hair products vegan and also look at a couple of examples of well known brands that sell vegan haircare products.
What makes hair products vegan?
Vegan hair products are made without using any animal byproducts.
This means that you won’t find any animal ingredients such as eggs or honey in vegan hair products.
Many vegan hair care companies will use natural components such as herbs, oils, and flowers to create their formulations.
Some of these include:
- Coconut oil – Coconut oil is made up of fatty acids such as lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid which make it an excellent moisturizer for dry hair types.
- Aloe vera – This plant is beneficial for your hair because it contains vitamins A and C as well as potassium, magnesium, and iron.
How long does it take to get results with vegan hair products?
It takes about 4-6 weeks before you should see any results from using vegan hair products.
You should start noticing new growth after about two months of using these products on a daily basis, especially if you are doing massages and taking vitamins as well.
You may notice some new growth within the first two weeks but it takes longer for it to appear because there is a lot of “baby” hair that needs growing before you see the true results of using these vegan hair products.
Once you do notice your new growth, stick with your routine for at least 6-8 more weeks before deciding whether or not to continue using the product.
There are many different types of vegan hair products that you can use to make your hair stronger and healthier.
Vegan hair products tend to be a little more expensive than regular hair products but they work just as well if not better.
For the first month or two, you will have to use the vegan hair products in conjunction with other treatments such as vitamins (a B-complex is best) and massage therapy.
Massaging your hair is really important because it stimulates blood flow to the follicles of your scalp and promotes healthy growth.
Massaging your scalp once or twice a day can also help stimulate the natural oils within your scalp which can aid in preventing dry scalps.
The ingredients to avoid when buying vegan hair products
Here is a list of ingredients to avoid when buying vegan hair products:
Animal products
Obviously, you want to avoid all animal products on your head.
That means no eggs, lanolin (from sheep’s wool), honey, or castor oil extracted from the castor bean plant.
No matter how natural or organic they are, these ingredients are all derived from animals or insects.
Lanolin
Lanolin is derived from sheep’s wool, so you can only find it in hair care products that are not vegan-friendly.
It helps hold moisture in your hair and gives it shine, but most people develop an allergy to it at some point in their lives because it is a derivative of animal fat.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This chemical has been found to cause cancer in lab mice, along with livers and skin irritation in humans. It’s used as a foaming agent in shampoos.
Phthalates
Another name for phthalates is “fragrance,” which is listed as an ingredient in many personal care products but does not have to be disclosed on the label because it’s considered a trade secret.
Phthalates are linked to hormone disruption in humans and are banned in the European Union but not in the United States.
Microbeads
These tiny plastic balls are used in exfoliating soaps and body washes, but they’re bad news for the environment because they tend to slip through water treatment plants and end up in oceans, lakes, and streams.
They don’t break down and can harm marine life when ingested and swallowed by fish, birds, and other animals.
What companies make vegan hair care products?
Some people are so passionate about the environment that they are willing to sacrifice a few things in their quest to go green.
One of those sacrifices many people make is their choice of hair care products.
Trying to find vegan hair care products can be difficult because most companies do not advertise whether or not they use animal products during the production process.
Here are five companies that have proudly labeled their products vegan and will make your hair care decisions much easier.
Shea Moisture
This brand makes a variety of products including shampoo, conditioner, styling gel, and more.
Many of these products are even free from parabens, sodium chloride, and gluten, making them all-natural as well as vegan.
They also offer a wide range of options for different hair types and textures, making it easy for you to find something that will work for you no matter what your hair looks like or how curly it is.
R&B Haircare
This company specializes in making products specifically for black women and men, so it’s no surprise that they also offer many all-natural vegan products.
Their original intention was to provide natural alternatives for people who wanted to take better care of their hair but were put off by some of the chemicals used in other products.
DevaCurl
DevaCurl is an innovative brand that uses clean and natural ingredients in its products. They sell shampoos, conditioners, gels, hairspray, and more! Their packaging is also eco-friendly which is a plus. All of their formulas are sulfate-free and paraben-free.
Paul Mitchell
Paul Mitchell is another popular company that makes vegan hair care products for men and women.
The majority of their products are available in a wide variety of sizes including travel sizes for on-the-go use.
Their shampoo and conditioner bottles are designed with pumps that dispense just the right amount every time so you don’t lose any product or money in the process!
Aubrey Organics
Aubrey Organics offers an extensive line of hair-care products without animal ingredients.
According to their website, “All ingredients on our product labels are plant-derived and 100% vegetarian.”
Aubrey Organics is sold at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.
Are there any disadvantages to using vegan hair products?
There aren’t any real disadvantages to using vegan hair products as long as you buy your products from a reputable company that produces high-quality items and offers good customer support.
Just like any other product you buy from a store, some brands of vegan hair care products will be better than others, which is why it’s important to do your research.
Final Thoughts
This is a simple guide to what makes hair products vegan or vegetarian.
I hope it helps you decide what kind of hair product would best meet your needs whether as a consumer, or you are another business looking to offer these products.
