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TWF has handpicked these eco-friendly curly hair products for their natural formulas and zero-waste or recyclable packaging.
| Items in this article are hand-selected and vetted for their commitment to minimizing their impact on the environment. If you purchase one of these items we may or may not earn a commission. |
Single-use plastic, chemicals, and toxins shouldn’t be a part of our hair care. Yet, did you know that an estimated 528 million shampoo bottles are thrown out yearly in the U.S.? The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that some types of plastic can take up to 400 years to decompose in landfills. When it comes to ingredients in our hair care products known carcinogens like formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances, and triethanolamine are widely used in formulas. While each serves a short-term purpose, they pose more harm in the long run. Triethanolamine is used as a thickener in hair care products, but it is a probable carcinogen to the liver. Synthetic fragrances like styrene have been labeled as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the Academy of National Research Council. Even so, many of these chemicals and single-use plastics are still allowed to be used by the beauty industry.
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So, what’s a curly girl to do? While carefully reading labels is one option, starting with advice is another option too. Below are a few eco-friendly curly hair products that use natural and clean ingredients and focus on reducing plastic waste. These brands have a stronger focus on health and the environment than conventional brands. So, as they support the health of your curls it’s worth taking a look into supporting these brands as well.
CLEANSE
These plant-derived hair cleansers promise to give your curls new life. Formulated with nourishing oils and plant extracts, they’ll gently remove residue and maintain the natural moisture of the scalp. A personal favorite from The Wellness Feed team is the Act + Acre Cold Pressed Hair Cleanse which uses coconut to gently clean the hair and scalp in bottles that are 100% recycled and recyclable. “Our bottles are produced with the most recyclable form of plastic (rPET) and designed to last up to 2 years allowing for refills.”
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Environmental Impact: Shampoo bars absorb excess oils and provide gentle cleansing for the scalp. Curly Bird and Act + Acre are packaged in bottles that are meant to be reused and refilled, so you can minimize your plastic waste. Their flagship store also has a refill station where customers can reuse and refill their bottles for packaging discounts. And, for each sale made a percentage of the profits go to rotating organizations that speak of the big commitment to beauty, nature, and community.
CONDITION
Curly hair rejuvenation is easy when you have the right products. And if they are clean and organic, that is an even bigger plus. Since curly hair requires special care and treatment, these conditioners are specifically formulated for smoothness and silkiness for even the curliest of locks with all-natural ingredients.
Environmental Impact: Handmade with coconut and Moroccan oil and cocoa butter, these conditioners care for curly hair without stripping it of its natural oils. They’re also free from palm oil, silicone, phthalate, and parabens. The solid conditioners aren’t packaged in single-use plastic. The others are aluminum containers that can be refilled, reused, and recycled.
These eco-friendly curl hair products ditch the single-use plastic packaging model for recycled materials and refillable options to help customers reduce their waste. Working towards being a better brand, some are also working towards their climate-neutral certification and are choosing partners that practice sustainable manufacturing and meet ethical labor standards.
STYLE
The leave-in treatment is a lightweight conditioning cream that will enhance the smoothness and shine of your curls, as well as protect them from dryness and tangling all without weighing them down. Rahua balm is ideal for styles that might want a little hold.
Environmental Impact: From handmade products, natural ingredients, naked packaging, and charitable and ethical giving, these brands have taken several sustainable initiatives over the years. In particular, they’ve taken a strong stance on single-use packaging by using paper made from post-consumer recycled materials and bottles that are recyclable and refillable.