Benefits of Using a Silicone Free Conditioner
Is it the right time for silicones to bid adieu to hair conditioners, which they have gone hand-in-hand with for decades? The awareness about silicone-free hair care products especially silicone-free hair conditioner is fast spreading, and there is a reason behind it. But before we go into that, let’s first find out why silicone and hair conditioners have been inseparable for such a long time.
The relationship between silicone and hair conditioners
Silicone, a wax-like substance commonly added to high-end shampoo and hair conditioner, is a serious hair conditioning multitasker. It smoothens, detangles, and moisturizes hair, and this became an integral part of hair products for men. Silicone also expands when heated and thus makes our hair appear thicker. However, this beauty comes at a price. In the long-run, using a silicone-based hair conditioner can leave your hair distressed. Silicone forms a film over your hair that gives it a shiny appearance and also controls frizz, but at the same time, it prevents moisture from reaching your tresses. People who have dry and brittle hair tend to apply more hair conditioners. However, this affects the pH balance of our hair and makes it more vulnerable to dryness and split ends. This is the reason why more and more men are switching to silicone-free hair conditioners. The term silicone-free has finally found acceptance in hair care products for men.
What is a silicone-free hair conditioner?
Well, a silicone-free hair conditioner is made from a blend of conditioning agents other than silicone. So, lipids, amino acids, and other neutralizing agents go into the making of a silicone-free hair conditioner. Texture-wise, there is not much difference between silicone-based and silicone-free hair conditioners because they both are often milky, creamy formulas that hydrate your hair. However, silicone-free hair conditioners are lighter in weight and make your hair softer cleaner rather than slicker. That’s why silicone-free hair conditioners are slowly becoming one of the most sought-after hair care products for men.
Why you should join the silicone-free movement?
Silicones are synthesized in factories, and they’re made by combining silicon (an element found in sand) with oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and sometimes other materials. In haircare, silicones are often used in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to help create the slip needed to detangle and give hair a silky shine. It is important to realise that silicone does not repair your hair, it rather masks the problem. It gives an illusion of healthy hair, the quality of which degrades with time. Silicone-free hair conditioners come with nutrients and proteins to imitate the silky effects of silicone but not their sticky side-effects.
How to spot a silicone-free hair conditioner?
It is rather tricky to figure out which hair conditioner is silicone-free and which isn’t, because silicones are mostly listed by their chemical ingredient names and most commonly include dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, amodimethicone, PEG-12 dimethicone, dimethiconol, phenyl trimethicone, etc. It sounds like a boring chemistry lesson, so in order to make the process easier, just follow this rule of thumb: if the name ends in -cone or -oxane it is likely a silicone.
A silicone-free hair conditioner contains supplements that nourish your hair without harming it in the long run. It is one of the most useful hair care products for men. If you want smooth, hydrated and moisturized hair that does not lose its texture over time then opting for silicone-free hair care products for men might be a prudent decision.
