Paraben Free Shampoo, Conditioner & Hair Products

Parabens in hair care

If you’re someone who takes hair care seriously, odds are you’ve heard of one particular buzzword: parabens. But what exactly are parabens? Why do people avoid them? And just how bad are they for your hair Parabens are man-made chemicals often found in cosmetic products. Used as a preservative, parabens help extend the shelf life of hair care products and prevent bacteria from growing in them. However, consumers are increasingly concerned with the use of parabens, with some evidence suggesting that they may be damaging to our health and the health of the environment.

Benefits of paraben-free shampoo

Because many people choose to avoid parabens in their beauty products, paraben-free shampoo has been increasingly popular over the past few years. Luckily, that also means some amazing beauty benefits. Because it doesn’t strip hair of its natural oils — unlike some conventional shampoos — sulphate and paraben-free shampoo can make hair shinier and less frizzy. Parabens in shampoo can also irritate the scalp, so by swapping to sulphate paraben-free shampoo, you can look after your scalp. And yes, that means less dandruff, healthier roots, and better hair growth.  

Benefits of paraben-free conditioner

Now that we’ve touched on no-paraben (no-sulphate) shampoo, it’s time to think about conditioner. Paraben-free shampoo and conditioner are similar in that neither
strips your hair of its natural oils. Due to this, your hair will actually stay more nourished without the added
parabens. In fact, many people find that once they make the switch to paraben-free shampoo and conditioner, their locks are healthier and more luscious than ever. 

What hair types benefit the most from going paraben-free?

Everyone can benefit from using sulphate and paraben-free shampoo and conditioner, but making the switch can have an even bigger impact for those who suffer from some of the most common hair woes. If you find that your curly hair is unruly and unmanageable (or borderline frizzy), switching to paraben-free options just might make a difference.

Likewise, those with dry, dull or damaged hair often find that once they start using paraben-free hair products, their hair’s natural oil is restored. Over time, this not only makes for a healthier scalp and strands but also contributes to less breakage and longer, shinier locks.

What Rogue Beauty experts say

If you feel like you’ve been fighting a constant battle with your hair, switching to sulphate, paraben, and silicone-free shampoo might be the answer you’ve been searching for. While it might sound like heaps of ingredients to avoid, we suggest cutting all of them out and seeing how your hair responds. Then, add the ingredients back in one at a time and with some trial and error, you’ll find out what you’re sensitive to.

For example, if you try a silicone and paraben-free shampoo that does contain sulphates, but see no adverse reaction, that’s a good indication that sulphates might not be the culprit in your hair woes. In this case, you’d continue avoiding silicone and parabens but might choose to purchase products containing sulphates.

Rogue Beauty’s top picks for paraben-free shampoo

• Oribe Hair Care, Signature Shampoo: This sulphate-free, paraben-free shampoo is called the ‘signature’ for a reason. Specifically designed to silken, detangle and protect while washing, this shampoo is luxury in a bottle.
• R+Co, Television Perfect Hair Shampoo: Ready for the big screen? With Glycerin and Babassu Seed Oil, this shampoo will give you the hair of your dreams — volume, bounce, and shine included.
• Iles Formula, Haute Performance Conditioner: Jam-packed with antioxidants, this conditioner is a
  fabulous all-rounder for any hair type. While Vitamin B5 prevents breakage, Vitamin E promotes a healthy scalp, encouraging better hair from the roots
  down.  

Paraben and sulphate free hair care

One thing you'll notice as you start to transition away from specific ingredients is that many of the hair care products that avoid parabens also avoid sulphates. The reason
for this is that both have the potential to irritate the skin and scalp. While there is more research showing the harmful effects of parabens than those of sulphates, many cleaner beauty brands avoid both to make their products as clean as possible. 

Paraben-free brand spotlight

If you’re looking for a great clean hair care brand to start exploring, check out R+Co. According to the brand, ‘all our formulas are colour-safe, heat and UV protective, vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free, and without harmful ingredients such as parabens, ulphates (SLS or SLES), mineral oil and petrolatum.’ That means you can rest easy knowing your hair care is good for yourself and the planet, without having to read
through long ingredient lists.