Recently, I’ve been researching certain hair product ingredients that are on the “bad” for your hair list, like silicones. Basically, silicones are in nearly every hair product. Pick up a bottle of your conditioner and read the ingredients. Do you see Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone or something that ends in “cone”? Well, that’s a silicone!
So why are they bad? Put simply: Silicones create a covering over the hair shaft that can create build up. The reason haircare manufactures put silicones into hair products, is because they also smooth the hair, especially while it is wet. You know that slippery feeling you get when you put conditioner on your hair and rinse it out? Silicones! And silicones keep hair from absorbing too much humidity and keeping the hair’s own moisture in. While the goal of keeping hair moisturized is a good thing, but after a while all that build-up actually prevents moisture from penetrating the cortex, which can dry out the hair shaft and lead to damage. No one likes that. I totally bet that’s what’s on Jessica Alba‘s mind…
To further complicate matters, not all silicones are created equal. In my digging around I’ve found that Dimethicone, (also know as simethicone) is the heaviest of the silicones and is the hardest to wash out. Cyclomethicone seems to be the one that leaves that slippery feeling and evaporates quickly. And not everyone’s hair reacts to silicones the same. Someone with thin, finely textures hair may have a different experience with certain silicones than someone with thick or coarse hair. I have heard people who say that when they stopped using silicones, it was like a hair miracle! And people who believe their hair preforms much better when they use synthetic silicones… Like everything in life–you have to figure out what works for you.
If you are going to use hair products that contain silicones, you need to avoid buildup by using a clarifying shampoo about once a week. I’m going to try to cover a few clarifying shampoos on HOTB soon. Have you guys tried any that you like?
After the break, I check out Rare El’ements Hair Collection, which is free of synthetic silicones, sulfates and parabens.
For those of you who want to steer away from silicones in general, there are hair product lines just for you. I recently tried out Rare El’ements Hair Collection, which is free of synthetic silicones, sulfates and parabens.
Rare El’ements Pure Shampoo is a daily nourishing shampoo that uses gentle plant based cleansing agents to cleanse the scalp and hair. It contains a rejuvenating complex that keeps the follicles clear of bacteria and build-up, removes product build-up, and color dulling residue. Note that it can take up to two weeks for chemically treated hair to adjust. According to the company, as the hair begins to detox, you may experience increased heaviness or film residue until the hair re-balances it’s natural oils and moisture. But don’t be afraid of the natural oils in Rare El’ements products, even if you have oily hair. In fact, they say this product should help correct the over production of oil glands. And my normal hair loved this stuff! Price: $34.00
Rare El’ements Essential Conditioner focuses on regaining the brilliance of healthier hair without replacing moisture loss with artificial silicones. Instead, each strand is pampered with the nourishment of exotic oils. It’s also free of toxic ingredients and synthetic fragrances. I only had to use a tiny bit of this stuff to condition my long hair. Be sure to rinse thoroughly! Price: $44.00
Rare El’ements El’ Treatment is an all natural reconstructing serum that instantly repairs and re-hydrates dry, damaged or chemically treated hair. You apply the serum on dry hair for about ten minutes before shampooing to replenish depleted moisture lost to everyday styling. You can also use this as a deep conditioning treatment by increasing the treatment time to 20 minutes or more. Price: $44.00
To purchase Rare El’ements hair products, go to rare-elements.com.
An editorial sample was provided by the company so I could review this product. Please see my About page for further information on Disclosure policies.
Thank you SO much for doing this post! I’ve read so many conflicting opinions on silicone. I tend to use a lot of it on my thick, course, crazy curly hair, and it works wonders for me, but I’m always wondering if it’s really bad for it too. I’ll just have to make sure I’m using a clarifying shampoo more often.
Emily, I’m glad you found this post helpful! It is a confusing topic that some people within the hair community feel really strongly about one way or another. I want to be able to provide balanced information about it so you guys can make informed hair decisions. 😉 I will report back on this topic in the future when I learn more. And like I said, I’m going to be covering some clarifying ‘poos too.
I think that my hair perform better with silicones…I tried the natural stuff but the results were awful..I prefere use Kerastase, Matrix, Redken or Tigi on my hair…but I have to tell you that there is the Line by L’oreal Professionel (L’oreal Serie Nature) which is completely natural…I love their cacao extract shampoo and mask….By the way I’m a new reader of your blog which I discovered just a week ago….cheers from Italy
Matteo: I’m glad you found me! Where do you live in Italy? And I think a lot of people feel the way you do about natural stuff not quite working…. I definitely use products with silicone too. But I try to change it up and give my hair a break.
And the L’Oreal Professional line is coming to the states this spring! http://beautygirlreviews.com/2009/12/loreal-professionnel/
I live in Forlì near the sea in the North of Italy…for me it’s easier to give my hair a break with a cut…about the serie Nature I had the chance to try all the products (in Italy has arrived in the stores last year) but the only product that actually work for my hair is the cacao extract…
[…] Hair on the Brain explores whether silicones are bad for your hair. […]
I use to feel the same way as Matteo, when it came to using natural products they seemed to lack a certain level of performance, they left my hair feeling dry, hard to comb out and my hair looked dull. There’s nothing more frustrating then to start your day struggling with your hair. But I do have to say that I have been using the products that Valerie mentioned above and to my surprise they work. When it comes to skin care and hair care I’m a strong believer that the purer the ingredients the better the results. I’m so happy that I didn’t give up on my search. As far as silicones go, I don’t mind sometimes using them in a styling product but when it comes to skincare or hair care I’m not looking to cover the damage I want to repair it.
$44 for a conditioner and $34 for a shampoo ??
These products are so expensive and they aren’t even all natural.
You can make you own natural moisturizing shampoo for under $5 by using some aritha powder mixed with oils of your choice and some hot water. It takes about 1 minute to prepare, and is moisturizing and natural.
The aritha powder is a little granola for me. I went to their website to check it out and it said you could also use it to wash your laundry and silver utensils. No thanks, I don’t mind spending more for performance and results. After all it is our hair were talking about.
Sasha: um. ew. If we learned nothing else from Shear Genius: HAIR IS IMPORTANT.
Thanks for the great post! I’ve been using Rare Elements for about three years now and I LOVE it! I also carry it in my store, Butterfly Effect, and nearly everyone who tried it is floored by how big of a difference they see in their hair. It really does take at least a week, though (or 5-10 uses) to get your hair rebalanced for most people. I would recommend Rare to anyone.
I was surfing for information on hair care and thanks for the article. Although I read that silicones don’t keep moisture out, I tend not to believe, because recently I did some experimenting. I used a generic Pantene, Dove and Pert, which are all conditioning shampoos. The first wash was alright but by the second and third, my hair was a hot mess. It was so filthy it took about three washes to get rid of the build-up. I find that conditioners or leave-ins with silicones aren’t as bad because they can be washed out. I have Its A Ten leave in (“Miracle” its called) and it’s really light, although it does have a cone in it. However, I have Suave clarifing shampoo on hand ALWAYS, which removes anything and everything from the hair. I tell you, all those commercials with stars talking about how great Pantene is are complete nonsense. It irritates me because you know they don’t use the products and have been worked on and air-brushed before shooting the ad by professionals! Yeah, and they think we’re stupid enough to believe them. Suave is almost never advertised and I think that’s part of why it’s so cheap. I like to feel completely refreshed after a shower, and it feels like deep cleansing shampoos do that for me. For reference, I have light, very wavy, curly hair that doesn’t respond well to deep conditioners. People who wash their hair with conditioners say Suave Naturals or VO5 are the best. I think I’ll stay away from 2-in-ones, because they really don’t work on longer hair, and I still need a conditioner afterward. I would say to anyone seeking good hair care: trial and error works best, don’t believe celebrities and don’t assume salon shampoos are better than drug store brands. They’re just more expensive!
cheers