January 2, 2024
10 tips for beautiful hair – what you should pay attention to
by Lena Severin
Hair, hair, hair! Somehow every head of hair has its own head. Sometimes straight, sometimes curly, sometimes short, sometimes tangle-free, sometimes flat. The key to well-groomed hair is - surprise - the right care. And just like with the skin, we have set ourselves the goal of developing a pure, effective range of products for your hair that you can use to care for it from the roots to the tips. With an immediate effect, without parabens, sulfates, microplastics, silicones, drying alcohols - but with plenty of effect.
And because care doesn't just end with the right ingredients, I've put together a few practical tricks for everyday life alongside my tips for navigating the INCI jungle:
- Cold or warm water for washing hair?
- How microplastics hide in hair care products
- Silicones – even more microplastics
- Watch out for preservatives
- Sulfates – aggressive surfactants in care
- Hair Hero Hyaluron
- Vegan keratin power for the hair structure
- Why conditioner belongs in your hair routine
- Limescale on the head – what role does water play in hair care?
- Scalp care is an essential part of your hair care
1. Cold or warm water for washing your hair?
How about a hot shower? It's a treat for the soul, especially on cold autumn or winter days. Unfortunately, it's not so good for our skin and hair. Anything over 42 degrees opens the pores of the skin so much that important nutrients, lipids and fats are washed out. It's similar with hair. The flaky structure of the hair is opened up under warm water - up to a certain temperature, this has a positive effect, as it cleans the hair better. But too hot means that the swollen structure will lose moisture. So if your hair tends to feel straw-like, you should think about how hot you wash or blow-dry your hair... because unfortunately, hot air is also very drying.
So, it’s better to turn the tap a little more towards blue and provide your hair with nourishing oils and moisturising ingredients while washing.
2. How microplastics hide in hair care products
Keep your eyes open when buying hair care products! Since October 2023, the use of so-called microbeads, small plastic beads that have an abrasive effect, has been banned. Unfortunately, there are still far too many products and manufacturers that use the liquid version of microplastics for their products. This is a huge issue, especially in hair care. Liquid microplastics, so-called synthetic water-soluble polymers, give the hair a well-groomed, smooth feeling after washing because they wrap around the flaky hair structure like a smoothing coat. But they don't do any good! On top of that, they are inexpensive raw materials, especially compared to really nourishing pure oils and nourishing active ingredients. BUT Life in Plastic ain't fantastic - especially because the liquid microplastics cannot be filtered out in the sewage treatment plants and so inevitably end up in the groundwater and the entire cycle.
I have listed different types of solid and liquid microplastics for you here. Feel free to take a screenshot! Maybe it will help you on your journey of discovery through the INCI world in your bathroom cabinet.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Polyquertenium (often associated with a number, e.g. Polyquaternium 10)
- Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates Crosspolymer
- PEG (PolyEthylene Glycol)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polystyrene (PS)
Be sure to pay attention to certain endings or word parts of ingredients:
- Carbomer
- Crosspolymer
- Copolymer
- Ending -eth
- Polyquaternium
- ending acrylates
By the way: The use of solid microplastics for products that can be washed off or removed directly, such as hair care or shower products, will only be banned from October 17, 2027.
Our policy has always been: We avoid all forms of microplastics in all our cosmetics.
3. Silicones – even more pollution for nature
Unfortunately, the chapter on environmentally harmful ingredients is not yet over. We continue with silicones. They are often used because they are a cost-effective replacement for natural oils. However, they do not have much effect in skin care. They seal the skin, which can lead to even more severe blockage of the pores and inflammatory reactions in the case of acne and blemishes. This also applies to hair, but here this sealing ensures shine and smoothness, but without any care. Silicones also weigh down the hair in the long term, can cause greasy roots and increase the formation of dandruff. Since silicones are synthetic, they are difficult to break down once they enter the environment. And this happens quickly, especially with shower products and hair care.
You may be wondering why such substances are even allowed to be used in everyday products. Unfortunately, this is because they often produce exactly the desired effects, or at least appear to do so.
Here again is a small overview of the INCI names of silicones:
- Dimethicone(s)
- D4 (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane)
- D5 (Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane)
- Amodimethicon
- Dimethiconol
- INCIs ending in "-con(e)" or "-xan(e)"
If you ask me, I would prefer a product that I can use on my body and then flush down the drain with a clear conscience. Without compromising on effectiveness!
4. Be careful with preservatives
Let's move on to the next critical ingredient groups: parabens, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. These are among the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetic products. They are not even good for the skin - on the contrary: they can lead to allergic reactions, skin irritations and unwanted skin abnormalities. But: what exactly are parabens, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate?
Parabens:
Parabens are a group of synthetic chemicals that are often used as preservatives in facial and hair care products. They are designed to extend the shelf life of products by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, molds and yeasts. This sounds good, but some studies have suggested that parabens may trigger some estrogenic activity in the body. This means that our hormonal balance and endocrine system may be affected by parabens.
Parabens are therefore anything but harmless, especially when they are absorbed through the skin on a large scale and on a regular basis – for example in the form of body lotions.
That is why we question their use in hair care, even if the products are washed out.
Here are commonly used parabens that you should definitely look out for on an INCI list:
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Pentylparaben
- Benzylparaben
- Phenylparaben
- Metagin
- Propagation
- Oxybenzoic acid/oxybezoate
- Hydroxybenzoic acid/hydroxybenzoate
- PHB
- Parahydroxybenzoate
If you want to know more about parabens, I recommend reading this article . Here we go deeper into the topic of preservatives in cosmetic products.
Sodium Benzoate:
Sodium benzoate, also known as sodium benzoate, is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, an organic acid. Like parabens, it is also a widely used preservative in cosmetic products to prevent the development of microorganisms and extend the shelf life of products. So far so good. But actually (as expected) there are also some reports and studies behind this ingredient that indicate that sodium benzoate could cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching or other allergic reactions could occur more frequently when using this preservative. And we definitely want to avoid that! Because the skin should only get the ingredients it needs. And sodium benzoate definitely does not fall into this category.
Potassium Sorbate:
Also a preservative. On INCI lists it is also identified as potassium sorbate, which can lead to hypersensitivity reactions in the skin. Potassium sorbate has an antimicrobial and preservative effect and is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, also an organic acid. But this preservative also has some downsides: It could be the reason for intolerances and allergic reactions such as burning, skin rashes or itchy redness. In order to make our products as compatible as possible, we do not use it. :)
Long story short: When developing our hair care products (and of course our skin care products), we consciously decided against parabens, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate because there are much better and safer preservatives.
5. Sulfates – aggressive surfactants in care
You've probably heard of sulfates before. Sulfates are salts or esters of sulfuric acid that occur naturally as a chemical compound or are produced synthetically. Due to their properties, sulfates are particularly popular in the production of cleaning products for skin and hair:
- Cleaning effect: Sulfates have a strong cleaning power and are very reliable in their effect. They can effectively remove fats from skin and hair and at the same time have an emulsifying effect. This means that they are able to mix water and oil so that the cleaning product can thoroughly remove both oils and dirt.
- Foaming: If your shampoo foams particularly well, it is often due to sulfates. These produce a stable, pleasant foam - which is often perceived as an indicator of the cleaning effect.
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Common ingredient: The manufacturing process of a product containing sulfates is easier and, above all, much cheaper than natural surfactants.
Doesn't sound so bad? But the downside of the effect should not be underestimated.
Sulfates have a very drying effect and can cause irritation, as they tend to remove natural oils from the skin and hair. Some studies even report an increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is not a good effect, especially for sensitive or dry scalps. Over a longer period of time, allergies can even develop. And since the foam doesn't just touch the scalp when shampooing, the skin on the face can also be affected.
Not to be forgotten are the environmental impacts - the production and disposal of products containing sulfates harms our environment. When shampoo is washed off, sulfates end up in wastewater, polluting water bodies and threatening aquatic habitats. In addition, sulfates are often used together with PEGs in cleaning products to improve the texture - but they also have a very irritating effect and place an extreme burden on our wastewater. This is how liquid microplastics end up in our water bodies. And that is anything but harmless!
Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and coco sulfate are the most commonly used in cosmetic products. So if you see these INCIs on the back of a shampoo, you should be alert. Nobody wants dry skin or hair, possible skin irritation and environmental pollution.
So, a big NO to these aggressive surfactants. Especially when there are compatible and wonderfully cleansing alternatives: for example, plant-based surfactants or sugar surfactants.
6. Hair Hero Hyaluron
Hyaluronic acid for hair? Absolutely! Hyaluron is a wonderful active ingredient that not only provides our skin with intensive moisture. The hair structure also benefits from products containing hyaluronic acid. A misconception that is often assumed for both skin and hair is that dryness can be remedied with oils. Yes, lipids are very important for keeping the skin barrier intact (including on the scalp). In the end, this helps to keep moisture in the skin layers, but does not introduce moisture into the skin. Aloe vera or hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, does that. The molecules bind water and, depending on the molecular size of the acid, channel it into the deeper layers of the skin or hair, where it is stored. A good combination of moisturizers and lipid donors is therefore needed for a stable moisture balance. And that is exactly what applies to hair. Bye bye, dry ends!
7. Vegan keratin power for the hair structure
Protein, protein, protein. It's not just a topic that comes up every day in the fitness community. In hair care, the body's own protein keratin has received more and more attention in recent years. It is naturally an important building block of the hair structure. And here, too, the situation is similar to that with the skin: if these building blocks are damaged, the hair becomes dry, brittle and dull. If we care for our hair with products containing keratin, we give it strength, repair damage to the hair structure and bring suppleness back to the hair lengths. The scaly hair structure is smooth and even - as can be seen in the microscope image above.
Is keratin always vegan?
Keratin is not necessarily vegan. It is traditionally obtained from animal substances. "Phyto" means plant-based. The prefix is used to indicate when substances that are usually of animal origin are obtained from plants. Phyto-keratin is therefore actually vegan and for us it is of course the form of keratin that we use in our hair care line. Our phyto-keratin is obtained from lentil, chickpea and quinoa extract, which contain many of the essential and semi-essential amino acids that make up keratin, such as arginine, L-cysteine, L-methionine, etc.
By the way: Keratin is not to be confused with creatine. Here we come full circle and go back to the substances for athletes. Creatine is significantly involved in energy metabolism in the muscles - a completely different job to keratin.
8. Why conditioner belongs in your hair routine
I don't know about you, but I've been questioning the point of conditioner for years. Hair mask? Yes, it takes time to absorb and the active ingredients can have a positive effect on the hair. But a conditioner stays in my hair for as long as it takes to distribute the shower gel.
What can I say, now that I have really looked into the subject of hair care, I have been proven wrong. And if you have similar doubts, I may be able to convince you in the following lines.
Imagine it like this: For your facial care, you start with a product that cleanses your skin. You have removed dirt and excess sebum. Your skin may feel a little less "nourished". For your hair, this is the shampoo step: cleansing. As you read in the first section above, warm water expands the hair structure, which can wash out nutrients. The hair must therefore be replenished with these nutrients. Some shampoos already contain some of them. But it is the conditioner that contains the richness that builds up and "seals" the hair through oils, lipids and moisturizers, for example. If we go back to the comparison with facial care, the conditioner would be the step in the routine where you care for the protective layer of the skin with a cream or facial oil.
Conditioners are a wonderful way to provide your hair with targeted active ingredients that support your individual hair structure. Same principle as with skin care. Dry, curly or wavy hair? Hyaluronic acid, keratin and argan oil . Flat hair with greasy roots? Caffeine, apple cider vinegar and rice starch . Flaky and dry scalp? Panthenol, almond oil and sodium PCA and no irritating substances .
Well, convinced?
9. Limescale – what role does water play in hair care?
Water with an increased lime level not only tastes strange, it also makes your hair thinner. A study showed this in 2015. So it's not just a matter of using the right care products, but also the hardness of the water. You can find out how hard the water from your tap is with a water test. Hard water has a value of 2.5 millimoles of calcium carbonate per liter. Medium-hard water has between 1.5 and 2.5 and soft water has less than 1.5 millimoles of calcium carbonate. If you have hard water in your area, there are lime filter attachments that make the water softer.
If your hair structure has changed after moving, the water quality would be a clue to get to the bottom of the causes.
10. Scalp care is an essential part of your hair care routine
Similar to conditioner, the scalp should not be excluded from your care routine. Many of the problems we have with our hair stem from this. Dandruff or greasy roots, for example, are signs of incorrect care. Your products could contain aggressive surfactants that dry out your scalp and remove valuable lipids. This could be a reason why the skin flakes and becomes extremely greasy at the same time. You could also have intolerances or simply sensitive skin. Most hair products contain fragrances that could potentially be irritating. And if you already use a tonic for your scalp, make sure that it does not consist mainly of alcohol. Although alcohol has a pleasantly cooling and refreshing effect when applied and leaves no residue in the hair due to the volatility of the alcohol, they dry out the scalp massively and worsen the actual problems.
In such cases, it is best to switch to a hair care product that is specifically designed for sensitive scalps. Shampoo gives your hair a gentle cleanse. Conditioner nourishes it without irritating or irritating it. What your scalp needs is additional care to balance the skin. The Sensitive Serum with panthenol, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera has a calming, moisturizing effect and strengthens the hair roots.
With this combination you have gentle and strengthening care from the roots to the tips of your hair.
Hair care from JUNGLÜCK – without microplastics, without silicones, without unnecessary substances, without compromises!
We are delighted to be able to include this very special hair care product in our range. For us, it is a natural addition to our holistic approach: from head to toe. With a natural content of 97% and high-quality organic raw materials with a content of 71%, we are deliberately making it better.
We clearly rely on purely plant-based keratin, completely avoid drying sulfates or alcohols and explicitly do not use environmentally harmful silicone or liquid microplastics.
Our three new hair care lines are among the most natural, sustainable and active ingredient-rich products. And they are best tolerated by hair and scalp.
Sources:
https://www.oekotest.de/kosmetik-wellness/Silikone-Was-macht-der-Kunststoff-in-Kosmetik_10764_1.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26711619/
https://utopia.de/ratgeber/sulfate-im-shampoo-weshalb-sie-so-bedenklich-sind/