Most likely, you don’t care much about the hair conditioners you use. Shampoo and conditioner are often bought together in the same way that they purchase clothes washers or dryers. We often choose the same product from the same brand for both shampoo and conditioner, usually based upon the product that does the cleaning. Different products will have different environmental effects. It may be worthwhile to look at the product that you use after washing your hair.
Conditioner: Why?
Some people may not need conditioner. ConditionerIt is designed to soften hair and make it feel thicker. Shampoos containing harsh chemicals can cause dryness and damage to the cuticles. Conditioners can help. You might not notice damage if your hair is very short. You might not need conditioner if you use a gentle, biodegradable shampoo. Shampoo companies like HairstoryBy no-pooDIY hair care is popular. For most people, however, conditioner is necessary to maintain hair texture and length.
An European life cycle analysis (LCA), of more than 10,000 personal-care products, revealed that materials (ingredients), packaging and use were the three largest components. conditioners environmental footprint.
Ingredients
Nearly a quarter of conditioner’s environmental impact comes from its raw ingredients. Lanolin, cetylstearyl Alcohol, and propylene Glycol are the most important ingredients. Other important impacts include silicones, waxes, and stearyl alcohol. Lanolin is a byproduct in animal agriculture and has a high environmental footprint. It is a desirable ingredient for product safety, and has been awarded the Environmental Working Groups. highest rating. Conditioners such as Love Beauty and PlanetThey are vegan-certified, replacing silicones and lanolin with vegetable oils. Puur Ingrid Moist RecoveryConditioner is not only vegan but also EWG-verified
Despite its high environmental impact stearyl alcohol seems safe and necessary in conditioners. Silicones and propylene glycol can be substituted with vegetable oils, and are not listed in the ingredients of products such as WellnesseThat use plant-based oils. (However, the LCA does not indicate that plant-based oils like coconut oil or shea butter have a smaller environmental footprint.
Toxicity
Conditioners can contain harmful ingredients, as with many personal care products. Unscented conditioners like Clearance & Free ShippingOr Nothing is too sensitiveThey are less likely contain harmful chemicals. You can also find natural alternatives. safer conditionersUse the Environmental Working Group Verified List.
Packaging
An average of Conditioners have an impact rate of 22%Packaging, which is often a plastic bottle, is the main source of this problem. The plastic used in shampoo bottles may be recyclable depending on where you live. However, it is not always recyclable. Some brands use recycled plastic or even beach plastic to make their shampoo bottles and conditioner bottles. Two-in-one shampoos and conditioners such as EveredenReduce plastic waste and product use by half Use a solid, two-in-one bar such as Good CubeIt reduces product use by half and eliminates all plastic packaging. Other plastic-free packaging options are available if two-in-1 products are not suitable for your hair type. Alpine ProvisionsAnd Plaine ProductsConditioners in aluminum bottles Solid products such as conditioners in aluminum bottles EthiqueConditioner bars are both biodegradable and plastic-free.
How to assess your condition
No matter which conditioner you choose to use, remember that Use accounts to get 20%Conditioners have a negative environmental impact. Most of this impact is due to the water used for washing and rinsing. Conditioner should be left on your hair for several minutes. To keep your showers short, wash your hair and condition it before you wash your body. You can skip the rinse by using a leave-in conditioner.
No matter what products you use, a low-flow showerhead is recommended. Dry shampoo made at home can extend the time between washes. It can damage the cuticle by using heat to style hair. Simply putting away the curling iron or blow dryer can reduce the need to use conditioner. It also saves electricity. Daily detangling sprays Puur Ingrid Triple Treat TonicOr Mango Cleanse for KidsIt can also help maintain hair health without you having to spend as much time in a shower with conditioner.
