While you may know about vegan products in the grocery store, there are vegan products in the beauty store as well. Specifically, there are vegan hair care products that can work wonders for your hair while leaving you with a good conscience. 

Making the switch to vegan hair care products won’t necessarily be easy, but it will be well worth it. Plus, we are here to make it easier on you by telling you where to buy your vegan hair care products and the best ones to buy! 

What Is Vegan Hair Care?

Vegan hair care does not include any animal ingredients, animal by-products, or any other animal-derived ingredients. 

Instead of using these questionable and unethical ingredients, vegan hair care products include beneficial ingredients with a special focus on things like natural vitamins, minerals, and essential oils. And these animal-derived ingredients are more common than you’d think in hair care products. 

While some, like honey, are obvious, there are others that are more surprising. Knowing more about these ingredients and the vegan alternatives for them are a key component of living a more ethical and sustainable life. 

Which Animal Ingredients Are Frequently Used in Hair Care Products?

Just because you can read the ingredients on the label of your hair care products doesn’t mean that the differences between vegan and non-vegan ingredients becomes obvious. In fact, many people have no idea where some of these ingredients come from or what they really are. 

So let’s go over some of the animal ingredients that are frequently used in hair care products: 

Lanolin

Lanolin is a common emollient ingredient used to soften and moisturize the hair. This ingredient is derived from sheep wool but there are synthetic and plant-based alternatives. 

Glycerin

Glycerin is a common humectant ingredient that is also used to soften and moisturize the hair. This ingredient is derived from animal fats but there are also plant-based alternatives that use vegetable glycerin derived from soya, coconut oil, or palm oil. 

Casein

Casein is a common protein that is often used to strengthen and nourish the hair. Casein may also be referred to as sodium caseinate or caseinate. This ingredient is derived from cow’s milk but there are vegan alternatives that use plant-based milks. 

Stearic acid

Stearic acid is a common conditioning ingredient in hair care products. This ingredient is derived from the stomachs of pigs, cows, and sheep. However, there is a vegan alternative that uses plant fats instead. 

Keratin

Keratin is a popular hair care ingredient that is used to strengthen and straighten the hair. This ingredient is derived from the hair and horns of animals. Some vegan friendly alternatives to keratin include soya protein and almond oil. 

Beeswax

Beeswax is a common ingredient in hair care products to moisturize the hair and hold it in place. This ingredient is taken from beehives that depend on it as a food source. 

Why Should You Make the Switch to Vegan Hair Care?

At surface level, these non-vegan hair care ingredients may not really seem like a big deal. However, these ingredients are more problematic than you may realize. As a result, switching to vegan hair care is extremely beneficial for all sorts of reasons, including: 

• Animals: Obviously, vegan hair care products are better for the animals themselves. When you don’t use these products, demand decreases and more animals are spared as a result. 
• Planet: Sparing these animals also has a positive effect on the planet. Furthermore, vegan beauty brands are more likely to follow eco-friendly and sustainable business practices. 

For instance, they may use recyclable packing for their products or prioritize being carbon-neutral. 

• Health: Vegan hair care doesn’t just benefit animals and the planet, but it also benefits your hair and overall health. Vegan ingredients are often healthier and better for your hair, skin, and body.

These natural ingredients are usually of a higher quality and are absorbed well by the body. 

Where to Find the Best Vegan Hair Care Products?

The best place to find vegan hair care products is online. This venue provides you with all the information you need to make an informed and ethical decision. You can thoroughly research the products and brands before you buy them. 

If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly beauty brand that offers a wide range of hair care products that are also cruelty-free and organic, then you definitely need to check out WOW Skin Science. 

The Best Vegan Hair Care Products in 2021

Even if you know where to look, there are so many different vegan hair care products out there that choosing the right ones can seem like a daunting process. This is why we’ve put together this list of the best vegan shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, hair mask, and leave-in hair treatment. 

The Best Vegan Shampoo

WOW Skin Science’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo is the best vegan shampoo for your hair. This shampoo is formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients like natural apple cider vinegar, nettle leaf extract, saw palmetto extract, almond oil, argan oil, and Vitamin B5. It clarifies and detoxes the hair by removing build up from products and pollution. 

To use this product, thoroughly massage it into your scalp using your fingertips. Let the shampoo sit on your hair for three to four minutes. However, if your hair is extra oily or you’re dealing with stubborn dandruff, you should leave it on for an extra one to two minutes. 

From there, make sure to rinse it out with cold water and follow up with your favorite nourishing conditioner. You should use this shampoo once or twice a week to effectively clarify it.  

The Best Vegan Conditioner

WOW Skin Science’s Coconut Milk Conditioner is the best vegan conditioner for your hair. This conditioner is formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Coconut milk extract
• Nettle leaf extract
• Saw palmetto extract
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Castor oil 
• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin E

It is ideal for nourishing and moisturizing curly hair that is prone to dryness and frizz. 

To use this product, apply it to the ends of your hair and move it up your hair strands until two inches away from the scalp. Let the conditioner sit in the hair for two to three minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with cold water. 

The Best Vegan Hair Oil

WOW Skin Science’s Castor Hair Oil is the best vegan hair oil. This hair oil is formulated with vegan-friendly 100% cold-pressed castor oil. It provides natural nourishment and strength to the hair, scalp, skin, eyelashes, eyebrows, lips, and nails all at the same time. 

To use this product on your hair, massage the lukewarm castor oil onto your scalp and into your hair. Let the oil sit in the hair for one hour or overnight if possible. 

From there, you should shampoo and condition as normal. Repeat this process once or twice a week for amazingly healthy hair. 

The Best Vegan Hair Mask

WOW Skin Science’s Red Onion Black Seed Oil Hair Mask is the best vegan hair mask. This hair mask is formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Moroccan argan oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Hydrogenated olive oil
• Red onion seed oil extract
• Black seed oil
• Lemon essential oil
• Vitamin E

It is able to strengthen and revive weak and damaged hair -- transforming it into smooth, lush, and glossy hair. 

To use this product, apply a generous amount to damp hair from mid-lengths to the ends. Avoid applying directly to the scalp. From there, finger comb the mask through your hair so that it can effectively penetrate all over.

Leave it on for at least 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it out with cold water. 

The Best Vegan Leave-In Hair Treatment

WOW Skin Science’s Hair Revitalizer Spray is the best vegan leave-in hair treatment. This leave-in conditioner is formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Moroccan argan oil
• Jojoba oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Safflower oil
• Bhringraj extract
• Rosemary oil
• Tea tree oil
• Vitamin E

It is packed with essential nutrients to tame stubborn frizz, strengthen roots, and prevent split ends. To use this product, simply add a few sprays to your hair and massage it in to spread the benefits. 

Final Thoughts on WOW’s Vegan Hair Care

Clearly, switching to vegan hair care is beneficial but many people assume that it takes a lot of work. With the right information and support, making the switch can be extremely easy and worth your while. 

So be sure to check out all of the different vegan-friendly, paraben-free, and cruelty-free hair care products offered by WOW Skin Science to transform your hair care routine. 

Sources:

Why You Should Care About Vegan Beauty | New York Times

14 Non-Vegan Ingredients to Look Out for In Make-Up and Beauty Products | Plant Based News

What's the Deal with Keratin Treatments? | Center 4 Research