The Truth About Silicones in Your Hair Care Products

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What Is Silicone in Hair Products Used for?

Silicones in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products aim to give hair added slip and shine and make tangled or flyaway hair easier to tame and detangle. That’s because they form a protective barrier around individual hair strands. 

As silicone is heat-resistant, you’ll find it in heat protection sprays, too. 

Why Is Silicone Considered Bad to Use on Your Hair?

You may be fully aware of the silicone-free movement, with lots of hair care products now displaying a “silicone-free” label. 

But with all the benefits of silicone such as heat resistance and styling, why do some people consider it bad for your hair?

Many people are flocking to more natural products to use on their hair and body for a gentler approach to beauty. As silicones are synthetic, they’re considered “fake” to some.

What Are the Risks of Using Silicones?

First things first, silicone in hair products is not toxic. It’s safe to use and won’t cause any bodily harm. 

The biggest issue with some silicones is that because they act as a waterproof agent, they coat the hair and won’t let any moisturizing or hydrating ingredients into the hair shaft. Plus, with every use, it builds up on the hair, creating a residue that leaves the hair eventually looking dull and lifeless.

In the short term, silicones can help give hair a healthy, nourished appearance. Over time, hair may become weak and dehydrated, with silicone preventing your hair care products like conditioners from doing their job properly.

However, it’s important to note that not all silicones are created equal. 

Chemists at Prose formulate our silicone-based products with PEG-7 dimethicone. It’s water-soluble and lightweight, meaning it’s less likely to build up or block moisture from getting through to your strands, resulting in hydrated, nourished-looking hair. But don’t worry! If you don’t want your custom Prose products to contain silicone, you can choose to easily remove them from your formula.

Are There Alternatives to Silicones?

Absolutely! If you’d rather not use silicones as part of your hair care routine, there are plenty of natural alternatives that offer the same manageability, shine and moisture. At Prose, we call them vegetable oils. Just don’t use them in your cooking! 

We use capryloyl glycerin and sebacic acid copolymer, which derive from coconut and castor oils. They help enhance the softness of your hair. For hydrated locks, we use almond oil, among others. And to lock that hydration in, we’re big fans of hydrogenated palm glycerides.

Prose Silicone-Free Hair Products

For a gentle approach to caring for your hair, try Prose products from pre-wash to styling.

Our Pre-Shampoo Hair Mask and Pre-Shampoo Scalp Mask help bring back balance to your scalp and restore moisture in your hair, from root to tip. For regular washing, our shampoo and conditioner formulas are deeply cleansing without being too harsh for daily use. 

To hydrate your hair before washing or styling, our hair oil preserves the condition of your strands and smooths away frizz. And to get rid of tangles, our custom leave-in conditioner helps make hair easier to style and quenches hair’s thirst with a shot of moisture.

Safe and Sustainable Ingredients With Prose Products

We create cruelty-free, ethical hair care, with no added parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, mineral oils or GMOs. When you choose Prose, we craft products around your individual needs and leave out ingredients that haven’t worked for you in the past. Plus, we’re happy to formulate your custom blend to be vegan, silicone-free or fragrance-free.