According to the website That Vegan Dad, there are around 1.3 million people in Australia who adopt a vegan lifestyle.
For them, this, of course, involves not eating any foods that have been derived from animals. But it also includes not using any products that have been tested on them.
Since The Economist declared 2019 as ‘The Year of The Vegan’, hundreds of different types of vegan products have become popular on the market - including clothing, cosmetics, toothpaste, and medications. Many of these are even now regularly used by non-vegans because of the health benefits they bring.
One such product is vegan shampoo, which is not only gentle to your hair but also kind to animals and the environment.
If you are a vegan, you are probably already using brands like Davroe, Moo and You, ROH, KMS, and Paul Mitchell.
But if you are not and want to explore the benefits this type of hair care product can bring, this post will provide you with a good overview.
About Vegan Shampoos
Vegan shampoos are widely available online and in many chemists and supermarkets across Australia.
They are popular because they use plant-based ingredients that hydrate and nourish your hair and possess a much higher amount of organic and natural ingredients than ‘regular’ brands, which can provide better protection for your hair from damage.
For those already leading a vegan lifestyle, brands like Davroe, Moo and You, ROH, KMS, and Paul Mitchell are often go-to options. But even if you’re not vegan, exploring these products can introduce you to a gentler way of caring for your hair. Alongside advanced hair health solutions like Gro Clinics Hair Care, vegan shampoos can play a key role in maintaining and enhancing hair health.
Benefits of Using Vegan Shampoo
As they are made from naturally derived, plant-based ingredients, vegan shampoos can provide you with a number of benefits.
For a start, they contain minimal additives, which means they are better able to maintain healthy hair by nourishing both it and your scalp.
These types of shampoos can also be very beneficial for the environment as the ingredients that are used to make them are environmentally friendly and largely biodegradable. Additionally, the packaging is usually made from recyclable materials, which makes it a very sustainable choice.
How To Choose Vegan Hair Care Products
When trying to find the right vegan hair care products for you, there are several things you need to consider.
1. Ethical and Cruelty-Free
One of the main reasons why people wash their hair with vegan shampoo is that it is made in accordance with ethical and cruelty-free practices.
Unlike some other types of hair care products, vegan shampoos are not tested on animals, which means no harm is done to them at any stage of the developmental or production phase.
All vegan shampoos advise on their packaging that they are free of animal byproducts and have not been tested on animals. However, it is worth double-checking just to be on the safe side.
2. Is it Chemical-Free
Many non-vegan hair care products are made with harsh chemicals like parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, and sulfates. They can cause dryness, strip the natural oils from your hair and result in irritation on your scalp, which could lead, potentially, to long-term damage.
By contrast, vegan hair care products are free of these harsh chemicals, but it is worth double-checking the ingredients list just in case.
3. Natural Ingredients
Most vegan shampoos are formulated with natural plant-based ingredients, which are often rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are essential to strengthening and nourishing your hair.
Some of the best vegan hair care products contain oils, such as Marula oil, botanicals, and plant extracts, like Icelandic moss, that can offer your hair better levels of hydration, make it grow faster, and enhance its overall hair health.
4. Sensitive Scalp
If you have a sensitive scalp, vegan hair care products can provide you with a bit of relief. That is because they do not have the harsh chemicals or common irritants that many animal-derived shampoos do.
Look for a vegan shampoo that will help to reduce the itchiness of your scalp and make it less sensitive and healthier overall.
5. Make Sure it Suits for Your Hair Type
Typically, vegan hair care products are designed for all types of hair. However, some brands might specifically focus on one style, such as thick, fine, curly, or chemically treated.
Depending on your hair type, you should pick your vegan shampoo brand accordingly to gain the best benefit from it.
6. Improved Appearance and Texture
Some vegan shampoos promote themselves as being able to improve the appearance, manageability, shine and texture of your hair, so you will want to bear this in mind when choosing which one to use.
They are able to make this claim due to the plant-based ingredients they use, which can not only nourish but also strengthen the shaft of your hair, restore moisture, and improve its natural lustre.
Additionally, as these shampoos are not made with hard silicones or heavy waxes, they make your hair feel lighter and can give it a bit more bounce.
