Eco-Friendly Hair Products: A Sustainable Beauty Routine

There are countless chemicals put into hair products, and honestly, how many can you even pronounce? If you can't figure out how to say it, you don't want it in your hair, where it will soak into your body. That's where eco-friendly hair products enter the chat. Not only are eco-friendly products better for humans, but they are also easier on the environment, so everyone wins.

Raid the cabinets to check your products right now. Do most of them contain chemicals you have no idea what they are? Don't feel guilty. Most people grab what's on sale or within their budget without reading the list of ingredients. But this is why you should start replacing your go-to items with ones that are a little kinder.

What Are Eco-Friendly Products?

What is eco-friendly? Why should you look for hair products shouting that claim? Eco-friendly products reduce the amount of water and air pollution and soil contamination that happens during the process of making things like your shampoo. It means not sacrificing the planet to create a quality product.

These items do not contain phthalates, parabens, chemical fragrances or formaldehyde, which leach into the water systems and hurt the ecosystem. The lack of chemicals is amazing for your hair, but also awesome for the environment.

Creating any product uses a significant amount of energy and water, putting a strain on the environment. Plus, the plastic used ends up in the landfill and takes hundreds of years to decompose. That is not the vibe we want.

How To Know When A Company Is Eco-Friendly

We aren't telling you to demand a tour of the factory where your favorite hairbrush is made. Instead, try a quick search on the company or product to see if eco-friendly is a priority.

What to look for

• Type of packaging
• If the bottle is refillable
• Are any pieces made of recycled materials
• Does the waste go to a landfill, recycle center, waste-to-recycle facility, or compost bin

There is a bit of research and reading to do here. Once you get the hang of it, finding out which products get the thumbs up becomes second nature. Look to see if the container is refillable, if the packaging is plastic or made from recycled materials and then do a once-over on the packaging.

Does it say where the company dumps its waste? Is there a note about using recycled materials? We know it's all about scrolling to get the information, but let's be a bit more old-school for the sake of the environment. Read the labels.

Switch Out Your Routine When You Can

We all have our hair routine. We know which products we like the best, which ones we know how to use, and which ones get your hair to cooperate the way you want. If the change scares you, start small. Once one item is used up, look for a friendlier hair product to replace it.

When the next item runs out, switch that one out. You don't have to throw away your entire stock to immediately drop hundreds of dollars on all new items. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say.

Eco-Friendly Products Are For All Hair Types

If you have thick hair, frizzy locks or an untamable mane, you may be tilting your head, wondering if going in this direction would work for your hair. We know it takes forever to find the right product, so it doesn't look like you stuck your finger in an electrical outlet.

But since these products have such amazing ingredients, made the right way, they work for any hair type. Keep in mind, like when trying out any brand, you'll have to find the right combination of items for your specific hair texture.

Make Sustainable Products at Home

Having to pick out a new line of gels or creams you haven't tested out is overwhelming. Plus, what do you do if they don't work the way you want after you've spent the money on it all? If buying the expensive stuff is out of budget or makes you sweat more than you'd like, a cost-effective thing to do is make your own.

We all took science in school, so it shouldn't be too hard. Just pretend like you got your Hogwarts letter and are taking Potions. A pro tip is to look for items at the dollar stores near you, as they carry the best dupes for the expensive stuff.

Ingredients to make your own

• Castille soap
• Coconut oil
• Honey
• Essential oils
• Avocado
• Olive oil
• Coconut milk

Eco-Friendly Companies

Time for the big question. Is the hair product you use eco-friendly? You don't have to make a Reddit about it, but go look. To meet ethical and environmental standards, clues like the item stating it's Leaping Bunny or USDA Organic certified are a good indicator. Yes, you can always Google the brand.

Going away from the shampoo and conditioner your hair has known since college can be a shock. And we get the price would be a factor in making the switch. But remember, you are investing in yourself. You only have one head of hair, so learn how you can keep it healthy. And we only have this planet to live on, so we should try our best to keep it from falling apart.

Think of it as a fun side quest to find the eco-friendly hair product line for yourself. Not only will your hair look better from the more natural ingredients, but you will be doing your part to help the planet. That's the best 2-for-1 deal out there. From your brush to your serums, be as eco-friendly as you can for the environment and your own health.