The Benefits Of Silicone-Free Shampoo And Conditioner

Silicone or sili-could-we-not? That is the question. Silicone-free shampoo and conditioner seems to be all the rage nowadays, but why? Is this just a fad or does it actually hold weight? As beauty lovers, we’re always on the lookout for the very thing that’s going to give us an upgrade, both in how we look and feel. Making the switch to silicone-free shampoo and conditioner could elevate your hair game tenfold. Curious to know how? That’s what we’re going to unpack here.

What are Silicones?

Before we go beneath the surface, let’s start at the top: what are silicones and why should we care about them in haircare products? Silicones are synthetic, plasticky polymers found in a wide range of products. Their flexible nature makes them a versatile option for everything from sealants to adhesives to medical implants to cosmetics.

Strong and resilient, silicones allow products to maintain their structure and thermal stability in the face of heat, excessive use, and wear and tear. Still, you’re probably wondering what their role is in your shower, namely for shampoos and conditioners.

What Does Silicone Do in Shampoo and Conditioner, Anyway?

When used in haircare and cosmetics, silicones help products remain silky, spreadable, and smooth. They enhance shine, help detangle knots, and make hair look sleek…initiallly.

After a few weeks or months of prolonged use, however, hair often reverts back to its old, dehydrated, brittle ways – and sometimes it’s worse than before. This could be due to scalp irritation and lack of moisture, among other things.

Drawbacks of Silicones in Shampoos & Conditioners

Silicones aren’t all bad but they can have some negative effects on your hair if your shampoo and conditioner contains them. Some of the reasons to avoid silicones in shampoos and conditioners include:

• Weighs hair down. Silicones coat hair with a heavy film that weighs it down, making it feel heavy and leaving behind a greasy residue
• Excessive buildup. The buildup silicones leave on the scalp often leads people to overwash because they think their hair is extra oily and/or dry. This dries you out even more and could have you thinking you have more oily hair than you actually do. No, the problem isn’t you – it may just be what’s in your products. In truth, the only reason you’re producing more oil is because your scalp is trying to compensate for being overdried.
• Not eco-friendly. Silicones are notoriously not eco-friendly, giving them an instant thumbs down from us. They are bioaccumulative, meaning they hang around in the environment and don’t break down so easily. That’s a no in our book.

Benefits of Silicone-Free Shampoo & Conditioner

Now that you know why you should avoid shampoos and conditioners with silicones, let’s talk about what you should use instead. Namely, silicone-free products .

There are plenty of benefits of silicone-free shampoo and conditioner:

• Healthy hair hydration. One of the hard things about breaking up with silicone-based shampoos and conditioners is that they give the appearance of hydration but they don’t deliver the long-term benefits. They make your hair look silky but the thick coating they leave behind prevents the natural oils in your hair from doing their job. Silicone-free shampoos and conditioners actually cleanse while hydrating.
• Scalp health. Beautiful hair starts at the root and that means your scalp has to be in good condition. As silicones build up on your scalp, they leave behind residue that could lead to dandruff, flakiness, and clogged hair follicles. That’s no way to get the tresses you want!
• Naturally frizz-free. So many people are searching for lasting ways to tame their frizz and flyaways, especially if they live in hot, humid climates. The good news is that you don’t have to rely on silicones to do the trick. Natural shampoos and conditioners work just as well and won’t leave you with the less-than-lovely side effects of the alternatives.
• More volume. Sho doesn’t want that va-va-voom? Without the buildup, silicone-free shampoo and conditioner lets your hair breathe, which is exactly what you need to unleash your hair’s voluminous nature. This is particularly important for those with curly and wavy hair. Taking out the elements that weigh hair down (i.e. silicones) and replacing them with lightweight, silicone-free solutions allows you to reveal the beautiful volume that’s been hiding underneath.
• Eco-friendly haircare. By choosing natural shampoo and conditioner, you’re making a more responsible decision about what goes into your hair and consumed by the planet. Let’s face it: every product we use can have negative or positive consequences on the environment. Whether in small or large ways, it all matters. The ingredients in shampoos and conditioners will ultimately get washed away down the drain, which means they’ll end up in our waterways and seep into our soil. Silicones are not biodegradable, meaning they’ll linger around our Earth for far longer than we, our animal friends, and wildlife would prefer. Do yourself and the planet a favor by opting for a more natural alternative.

Will Silicone-Free Shampoos & Conditioners Still Get the Job Done?

A common question people ask is how their hair can still be silky, shiny, and detangled without silicones in their shampoo and conditioner. The answer is that it all comes down to using the right silicone-free hair care products.

Not every silicone-free shampoo and conditioner works the same so it’s important to find the natural hair products that deliver the results you want. Luckily, if you find the right silicone-free shampoo and conditioner, they can absolutely work just as well as the alternatives…if not better!

You don’t have to sacrifice silkiness and shine for integrity. In fact, by using simpler, higher-quality products, you’ll find that you get the best of both worlds.

How do I Know if My Shampoo and Conditioner Have Silicones?

Ready to make better choices for your hair? It starts with knowing what to look out for. When reviewing the ingredient list, look for anything that ends in “cone,” as that will be a clear indication that the ingredient is a silicone. Some of the most common silicones you’ll find in haircare products include

• Dimethicone
• Amodimethicone
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Cyclomethicone
• Methicone
• Trimethicone
• Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
• Dimethiconol

Another common suffix to look out for is “oxane.” Steer clear of these and look for “silicone-free” on the label.

So, is silicone-free shampoo better? You tell us! Show us the silky strands you get after using Malie Organics’ natural shampoo and conditioner and the results will speak for themselves. Shop today!