Many people simply buy conditioners without a second thought. However, you may want to give more consideration to the ingredients within your conditioner. Not only could they be harming innocent animals, but they could also be negatively impacting your hair as well.
What Does It Mean for a Conditioner to Be Vegan?
For a conditioner to be vegan, it must not contain animal ingredients, animal by-products, or other animal-derived ingredients. Most people have no idea how common animal ingredients are in their hair care products -- conditioner included.
For example, glycerin from animal fats is a common ingredient in conditioners for moisturizing purposes. Instead of using animal-derived glycerin, vegan conditioners may use vegetable-derived glycerin taken from soya, coconut oil, or palm oil.
Another common example is keratin -- a golden ingredient in the hair care industry. However, keratin is taken from the hair and horns of animals. So instead of using animal-derived keratin, vegan conditioners may use soya protein or almond oil as alternatives.
How Does a Vegan Conditioner Differ From a Cruelty-Free, Clean, or Natural Conditioner?
There are so many different terms used in the hair care industry to describe brands and products that it can be challenging to keep them all straight. Furthermore, these terms usually don’t have a set definition -- only adding to the confusion.
In addition to “vegan,” three of the most common terms that you hear to describe different hair care products include “cruelty-free,” “clean,” and “natural.”
Let’s explore what each of these terms actually means and how they differ from one another so that you can choose the best hair care products.
Cruelty-Free
Cruelty-free is a term that is used to describe products that are not tested on animals. However, there are several different interpretations of this term. For instance, a brand may not test the final product on animals but may test different ingredients on animals.
Furthermore, a brand may hire a third-party company to conduct animal tests on its behalf. Finally, a company may rely on animal testing results gathered from other companies.
Clean
Clean is a term that is used to describe products that only incorporate ingredients that are proven to be non-toxic. Clean products may involve the use of artificial ingredients so long as they are not harmful to the body or overall health. Clean products also involve the use of ethically sourced ingredients.
Natural
Natural is a term that is used to describe products that only incorporate ingredients that are natural and not synthetic or artificial. While natural products may be better, it’s important to remember that natural doesn’t automatically translate into “good” or even “healthy.”
After all, there are plenty of natural substances out there that are definitely not good for you. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to do the research and determine what kind of company and products you’re comfortable buying from.
Why Should You Use a Vegan Conditioner?
Understandably, you may not want to go through the hassle of switching to a vegan conditioner. However, you should know about the whole host of benefits that come along with making such a switch:
Better for Animals
The most obvious benefit of switching to a vegan conditioner is that it’s better for animals. Oftentimes, animal ingredients are taken from animals in a harmful way. You can save animals from harm or even death by avoiding such products, which is certainly worthwhile.
Better for You
Not only are vegan conditioners better for animals, but they may be better for your hair as well. This is because vegan conditioners avoid using harsh and potentially harmful ingredients that tend to damage your hair. With vegan conditioners, you get all of the good and none of the bad.
Better for the Planet
When you save animals, you’re simultaneously bettering the planet. Furthermore, brands that prioritize being vegan-friendly likely prioritize other environmentally friendly and ethical business practices as well.
For instance, they may utilize eco-friendly packaging materials for their conditioners and other hair products. They may also utilize responsible sourcing methods that don’t harm anyone, from animals to local communities.
Where To Find a Vegan Conditioner?
Many people want to switch to a vegan conditioner but simply don’t know where to find one. However, vegan conditioners aren’t that hard to find if you know where to look.
Although you may be able to find vegan conditioners and other hair care products in places like drug stores or big box stores, they may not be of the highest quality. For that reason, you may want to check dedicated beauty stores for the best vegan conditioners.
Another place you can look for vegan conditioners is online. That being said, the internet contains a whole host of alleged vegan-friendly brands and products, so it can be challenging to sort through all of that information to find a brand and product that meet your needs.
Thankfully, with the right approach, you can use the power of the internet to your advantage to find the best vegan brands and products for your hair care.
Things to Consider When Buying a Vegan Conditioner
There are a few different things to consider when buying a vegan conditioner. The first thing you need to consider is the company you’re buying from. Oftentimes, companies offer “vegan-friendly” hair care lines while using animal ingredients in other products.
They may also utilize animal testing on other products as well. As a result, you should look for ethical brands when it comes to the testing and production of all of their products. Take WOW Skin Science, for example. All of WOW’s products are vegan-friendly, natural, and cruelty-free based on Himalayan ingredients and formulas.
The second thing you need to consider is the specific type of conditioner you’re looking for. Different hair types with varying concerns will require specific products.
For example, you may be dealing with breakage or hair loss. You will want to find a product that has been specially formulated to address these concerns. On the other hand, you may be dealing with frizz or dullness. Again, look for conditioner formulas that address your unique hair concerns with the help of vegan ingredients.
Once you have identified a potential product, you still need to do your due diligence. Take a look at the ingredients of the product to ensure that they are truly vegan. You could also look for seals that certify a product is vegan. Specifically, organizations like Vegan Action, Vegan Society, PETA, and the Vegetarian Society all vet and certify different products as 100% vegan.
The Best Vegan Conditioners on the Market
If you’re looking for the best vegan conditioners on the market -- look no further! Here are three of the best vegan conditioners that are great for not only your hair but also for the planet:
WOW Skin Science Coconut Milk Conditioner
WOW Skin Science’s Coconut Milk Conditioner is designed to provide moisture to dry and damaged hair. Specifically, this product is great for curly hair as it nourishes curls that can be unruly at times.
This conditioner contains vegan-friendly ingredients such as:
- Coconut milk extract
- Nettle leaf extract
- Saw palmetto extract
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin E
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Castor oil
- Jojoba oil
- Argan oil
- Vegetable-based keratin
This keratin is derived from soy and is completely vegan friendly while providing strength and support to your strands.
WOW Skin Science Coconut and Avocado Conditioner
WOW Skin Science’s Coconut and Avocado Conditioner is designed to provide salon-level results to restore your hair to optimum shine, softness, and strength. This product is suitable for all hair types.
This conditioner contains vegan-friendly ingredients such as the following:
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin E
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Castor oil
- Jojoba oil
- Argan oil
These ingredients provide deep moisturization to your strands to promote easy detangling for healthier and stronger hair.
WOW Skin Science Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner
WOW Skin Science’s Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner is designed to reduce breakage by strengthening your hair while promoting gloss and shine.
This conditioner contains vegan-friendly ingredients such as the following:
- Pro-Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin E
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Moroccan argan oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Castor oil
- Jojoba oil
These ingredients and the absence of harsh chemical ingredients promote stronger, shinier, and healthier hair.
Wrap Up on Vegan Conditioners
Hopefully, you are now convinced that you should use a vegan conditioner! Thanks to ethical companies like WOW Skin Science, it’s easier than ever to find the best vegan conditioners for your unique hair concerns.
Sources:
14 Non-Vegan Ingredients to Look Out for in Make-Up and Beauty Products | Plant Based News
Why You Should Care About Vegan Beauty | New York Times
Cruelty-Free + Vegan Certifications, Claims, Logos Explained | Ethical Elephants
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