Silicone Free Shampoo

Silicone-Free Shampoo: Is Silicone Bad for Your Hair?

Silicone is a synthetic derivative of silicon. As a shampoo ingredient, it helps improve the condition of hair by sealing the hair cuticle, adding smoothness and shine. However, many people note that silicone-free shampoos are gentler and don’t weigh down hair.

Silicone-free shampoo is gentle on the scalp. It contains natural emollients and is a good choice for sensitive hair that needs a gentle wash. Silicone-free shampoo is also beneficial for oily and lacking volume.

What Are Silicones in Shampoos?

Silicone used in the hair is frequently present in shampoos. Silicones in your shampoo originate from silica, a natural mineral. They can have different names, but most end with “-cone,” like “dimethicone.”

In shampoos, silicones coat each strand of hair, protecting it from humidity and frizz. Think of it as a raincoat for your hair. Silicone also adds shine and makes hair easier to manage. If you’ve ever used a new shampoo or conditioner and noticed your hair instantly looked better, that was likely the effect of silicones.

The trouble is that silicones in shampoos don’t do anything good for the hair; they just coat it. So many people choose silicone-free shampoo for a more natural and truly healthy hair care routine because silicones aren’t good for your hair.

Why Choose a Silicone-Free Shampoo?

At least from an aesthetic point of view, silicones for hair are very helpful. However, silicones in shampoos can also have a downside.

As we mentioned, silicones don’t penetrate the hair shaft. Instead, they form a layer on the hair shaft, which can prevent other beneficial ingredients from reaching it. If you use a shampoo containing “bad silicones”, you may experience one of two problems:

• Dry hair. Because silicones in shampoos prevent moisturizing ingredients from penetrating the hair, it can become dry and brittle over time.
• Oily hair. As your hair becomes drier, your scalp may produce more sebum to compensate. The result? Hair that looks oily. This can create a dangerous cycle. If your hair looks oily, you should wash it, right? Unfortunately, washing it more often with a shampoo containing silicones that are harmful to hair will only make things worse.

What does silicone buildup look like? It depends on your hair type. If you have straight or fine hair, the buildup will make your hair look limp and lifeless. Silicone buildup can mean less bounce in your curls or even complete loss of hair if you have curly hair.

Signs that your hair is reacting negatively to silicones in shampoos: The hair care routine that once gave you shiny, healthy-looking hair has stopped working. If your shampoo and conditioner suddenly stop working as they once did, you may have silicone buildup in your hair.

Unlike other ingredients considered “bad”, hair silicones are not harmful to your health. Silicone buildup on the scalp can cause itchy rashes. Silicones are also comedogenic, meaning they clog pores. If you have acne or head breakouts often, silicone in shampoo can make them worse.

There’s another reason you should choose silicone-free shampoo: silicone hair products are harmful to the environment. Because silicones don’t break down easily in water, they’re not biodegradable. When you wash your hair, silicones wash down the drain. They eventually accumulate in the water and contaminate it.

How to Find a Silicone-Free Shampoo

So how do you find the best silicone-free shampoo? Despite claims to the contrary, several “silicone-free” shampoos actually contain the damaging silicones. To find silicone-free shampoos and conditioners, it’s important to read the list of chemicals cautiously. If you want to get rid of all the silicone in your hair, look for products on the MAKEUP website that contain natural moisturizers and hair-nourishing ingredients, such as vegetable oils.