The importance of great hair care

Why we’ve opted out of sulfates (SLS/SLES)

Sulfates are all around. You’ll find them in various soaps, face washes, cleansers, household cleaners, and – you guessed it – hair care. Sulfates are detergents commonly used due to their ability to create a rich lather and remove dirt and oil. The most common sulfates are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and while effective at cleansing (hence their popularity), their usage can come with side effects that have shown to potentially impact hair and scalp health.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is known for its powerful cleaning action, but its strength can also be its downside. The reason for this is that SLS can risk stripping away natural oils from the scalp and hair, leading to dryness and irritation. For individuals with sensitive skin og brittle hair, this can potentially result in increased frizz, breakage, and even scalp issues such as itching or flaking with continuous use. 

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) while chemically similar to SLS, this detergent is often considered milder because it tends to be less irritating. However, SLES can still rinse off natural, necessary oils and thereby contribute to dryness over time. If you’re curious and want to learn more about these detergents and how much you possibly come in contact with them every single day, head to our blogpost How sulfates can impact your skin.

Naturally-derived washing actives, such as those from coconut extract or plants, are gentler alternatives to these cleansing surfactants, ensuring a milder process on the skin that won’t disturb its natural environment. Just like the skin, cleansing your hair too often or too harshly can actually increase the oil production within the scalp, as you risk tricking the skin into thinking that it actually lacks the oils you keep removing. Researchers on the topic recommend washing your hair when it feels oily and greasy to the touch but emphasize that oil isn’t the enemy, as it actually prevents your hair from drying out.

What you need to know about silicones

Silicones are another common ingredient in hair care products, known for their ability to provide smoothness, shine, and manageability. They achieve this by creating a coating on the hair strands. Unfortunately, there’s a but…

… because the benefits of silicones, like aforementioned sulfates, come with potential drawbacks. The silicone layer can actually build up over time, leading to a dull appearance and weighty feeling. This build-up can also hinder moisture and nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft, potentially causing dryness and brittleness. As if that wasn't enough, the silicones can actually block the circulation of nourishment to the hair follicles, potentially leading to hair loss.

Shortly put, the benefits provided by silicones are often short-lived, and regular use might lead to a dependency on these products to maintain the appearance of healthy hair without addressing the actual hair health issue.

At woods_ we work with a holistic approach to our formulas, meaning it’s a priority of ours that the ingredients enhance and support the body’s own, natural processes. Our formulas are crafted with ingredients derived from Scandinavian nature, including the powers of wild berries and enriching plant extracts, reflecting our commitment to efficacy and gentleness.

Care for your hair: What to know

The condition of your hair depends on numerous factors, such as genetics and environmental aspects such as harsh weather. Although the products you choose to treat your hair with are of great importance, hair care goes beyond nutrient-rich formulas. Here’re some of our best tips to keeping your hair healthy and protected – apart from your shampoo and conditioner.

Handle your hair gently. Avoid vigorous towel drying and excessive brushing, especially when your hair is wet. Silk and satin pillowcases can additionally help reduce friction and minimize breakage. 

Avoid harsh chemicals. Minimize exposure to products with harsh chemicals, including certain dyes and relaxers.

Protect your hair from heat. Heat styling tools such as blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners have shown time after time to have harmful impact on the hair. Always use a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from high temperatures and try to limit the use of these tools whenever possible – for example by using other methods such as heatless hair curling bands.

Maintain a healthy diet and hydration. Just as everything else about you, your hair’s health is influenced by what you consume. A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids can support hair growth and strength, so it’s worth being mindful of. Staying hydrated also ensures that your hair remains moisturized from within.

Your choice of brushes matters

Selecting the right brush for your hair and scalp is more than just a matter of preference; it can actually play an important role in the condition of both your hair and scalp. For instance, a brush with soft, natural bristles is perfect for distributing your scalp’s natural oils, which enhances shine and reduces frizz, while minimizing breakage and split ends.

On the other hand, a mix of bristles can help detangle hair without causing damage, making it essential for preventing breakage. The wrong brush, whether it’s too harsh or unsuitable for your hair type, can lead to unnecessary damage and irritation, undermining your efforts to maintain healthy hair. Thus, understanding and choosing the right brush tailored to your specific hair needs not only improves manageability but also contributes to the overall health and vitality of your hair. 

For thick and curly hair, we recommend our Detangling Brush, which is created to gently detangle knots while taming frizz and wild hair.

For fine hair and hair that lacks volume, we recommend our Volumizing Brush, which gently brushes through fragile hair to encourage shine while being easy on the scalp and adding volume. 

Both brushes stimulate blood flow in the scalp while distributing the hair’s natural conditioning oils, promoting stronger strands and healthy growth. 

Did you get more hair-smart? Head to our other blogposts Revolutionize your hair care with woods and Exclusive founder interview: woods_ merging into hair care to learn even more about our approach to hair care and our newly launched hair care collection, free from sulfates (SLS/SLES), silikones, parabens, and microplast, and enriched with strengthening and hair growth-stimulating ingredients.

Shop our Volumizing hair care collection:

• Volumizing Shampoo
• Volumizing Conditioner
• Volumizing Brush

Shop our Nourishing hair care collection:

• Nourishing Shampoo
• Nourishing Conditioner
• Detangling Brush

Sources:

- Ferreira, M. (2018) “How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?” Medically reviewed by Cobb, C., healthline.com.

- Sharkey, L. (2020) "Is Silicone That Bad for Your Hair?" Medically reviewed by Cobb, C., healthline.com.

- Cherney, K. (2019) "Should You Avoid Shampoos with Sulfates?" Medically reviewed by Slowiczek, L.