Getting To The Root Of It
When talking about haircare our focus should first be directed towards the condition and health of our scalp. A common misconception is that our scalp is made of super-strong skin and our hair provides a thick barrier preventing any chemicals (from our daily styling products) from causing any damage to it. In reality, our scalp is basically a sponge that soaks up whatever you put on it regardless of hair length or thickness. It should really be considered as an extension of our face and therefore treated with the same care and diligence.
Behind Your Hair Type
Whether you’ve labelled your hair as dry or oily, irritated or itchy, these symptoms indicate the condition and health of the skin on your head. Correction, the health of the sebum (a nourishing oil) produced by the sebaceous glands at the base of each follicle. This sebum acts just as it does on our face by creating a barrier that aids in the support and protection against infection. It also contributes to the protein structure of the hair to prevent splinting. When we strip our hair with foaming shampoos containing ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), we are stripping the scalp of this nourishing oil and throwing out the balance of its natural production. This results in an increase in the exposure and absorption of the chemicals that are in most mainstream hair care products.
Silicones in Shampoo
Probably the cosmetic industry’s most used invention, the surface sealant properties of silicones are what gives the illusion of healthy hair, however in reality, it is just cheating the hair with a false sense of smoothness. Silicones are water-insoluble and work by wrapping around the hair shaft preventing moisture and essential oils from reaching the scalp and providing nourishment. While temporarily silicones give the appearance of healthy hair, over time the layers build up which not only weighs the hair down but causes dry, brittle and greasy hair. Spotting around the hairline has also been linked to silicones as they can contribute to trapping moisture, sebum and bacteria inside pores. Other reports detail that the use of silicones such as dimethicone has links to causing itching, burning and irritation of the scalp, as well as initiating hair loss.
This is how we get stuck in a vicious circle; the more we strip our hair with SLS’s the more silicones we use to try and combat the dry and lacklustre appearance - this often results in a loop of searching and spending on that next “new” product which usually contains hasher (and more toxic) ingredients.
ecostore Hair Care
One of the simplest ways to make a change to your hair health and overall wellbeing is by switching your products to safer options, thus reducing the number of chemicals you’re exposed to. Ecostore’s line of hair care products naturally nourishes and revitalise both the scalp and appearance of hair without compromising your health. Both the shampoos and conditioners are made from plant-based ingredients that work to gently cleanse and nourish the hair without stripping it of its natural oils. The entire range is free from nasty chemicals making it a safer and healthier choice for us all and our environment.
Ecostore products use:
- Plant-based ingredients
- Gentle formulations
- Nourishing oils
- No animal testing
- GE free. Gluten-free. Largely Vegan (we only stock the vegan range)
- No nasty chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate, Parabens or Cocamide DEA/MEA
Normal Shampoo & Conditioner
This range gently cleanses and restores shine without drying out the hair follicles. Best suited for normal to dry hair, the formulation smooths flyaways and condition without weighing the hair down. The plant-based ingredients such as sweet almond oil and bergamot extract not only smell divine but will leave you with softer and naturally healthier looking hair.
Dry/ Damaged/ Colour Shampoo & Conditioner
Ideal for dry, damaged or chemically treated hair, the shampoo formulation cleanses, nourishes and protects fragile hair while preventing colour fade. The rich conditioner, with sweet almond and olive oil deeply nourishes, smooths and detangles dry hair while restoring shine.
ecostore's range of hair care products can be mixed and matched depending on your hair/scalp concerns or preferences. We’ve listed them above with their other half, however, the whole range works beautifully for all hair types and we do recommend switching between the categories to find your best match.
You can find the whole ecostore range online now at Flora & Fauna.
Check out our other hair care blogs:
Apple Cider Vinegar, for Your Hair
