Plastic Free Hair Products - the Ultimate Guide to Greener Locks

Welcome to the ultimate guide for all you eco-conscious haircare enthusiasts out there! If you're looking to make a difference in reducing plastic waste, plastic free hair products are a great place to start. In today's world, where sustainability has become more critical than ever before, even by making small changes in your hair care routine, you can help reduce your plastic footprint. We’ll cover the basics of going plastic-free in your hair care routine, from which tools and products to use, to finding packaging alternatives that are more eco-friendly and avoiding microplastics. Our curated list includes shampoos, conditioners, combs, brushes and bands and more... So sit back, relax and get ready to transform your hair care routine into an environmentally friendly one. Let's dive right into it!

 

Introduction: The Need for Plastic Free Hair Products

We all know that plastic is bad for the environment. It takes centuries to break down, and in the meantime, it pollutes our land and water. But did you know that your hair care routine could be contributing to this problem?

Most hair care products come in plastic bottles or containers, and many of them contain microplastics. These tiny pieces of plastic can end up in our waterways, where they pollute the water and harm marine life.

So what can you do to reduce your impact on the environment? The solution is simple: switch to plastic free hair products!

There are plenty of eco-friendly options out there that use sustainable packaging and ingredients. Plus, they’re just as effective (if not more so) than their conventional counterparts. And they can be stunningly beautiful. 

 

Hair Tools and Accessories: Natural, Recycled and Reusable Alternatives

There are a number of hair tools and accessories available on the market that are made from natural, recycled or reusable materials. Here are some of the best plastic free hair products to style your locks:

Hair brushes:

This Vegan Hairbrush is completely plastic free. The handle is from sustainable wood and the bristles are made of tampico fibre. Tampico is a sustainably sourced fibre made from a plant unique to the semi- desert areas of northern Mexico. It has been used for centuries to make cords, ropes, brushes, scrubbers and brooms.

 

Combs:

There are beautiful alternatives to plastic. We love this comb made from olive wood. Gently contoured to sit comfortably in your hand, it has evenly spaced and sized comb 'teeth' which are brilliant for combing thick and long hair.

 

Hair ties and clips:

Just think of the number of hair bands and scrunchies that end up in the bin, down the drain or in the sea. But there are now a number of options made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, hemp or natural rubber. Tabitha Eve is a brand we love. They make unique scrunchies and hair ties from sustainable cotton and rubber rather than plastic and elastic.

 

If you’d like to add some serious style, SAYA Designs have the most beautiful accessories from rosewood barettes to the Banana Leaf hair stick made from recycled  teak and tamarind root. SAYA take waste material from old logging plantations and turn it into something beautiful and purposeful, while giving back to those dedicated to protecting our planet.

 

Avoiding Microplastics in Hair Care Products: What to Watch Out For

While microplastics are often too small to see, they can have a big impact on the environment – especially when they end up in our waterways. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the potential for microplastics in hair care products and take steps to avoid them.

Here are some things to watch out for:

1. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) microbeads: These plastic beads are often used as exfoliants or scrubbers in hair care products. They can be particularly damaging because they’re often too small to be filtered out by wastewater treatment plants, so they end up polluting our oceans and waterways.
2. Microfibers: These tiny fibres can come from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester, which are commonly used in hairbrushes, extensions, wigs, and other hair accessories. When these products are used, the fibres can break off and end up being washed down the drain. Like microbeads, microfibers can also escape wastewater treatment filters and end up in our oceans.

All the more reason to consider a plastic-free hairbrush!

To avoid microbeads in liquid hair care products, either choose a certified organic formulation (where microplastics are banned) or opt for a solid shampoo or conditioner (we’re not aware of any microplastics in these yet, but watch out as the trend catches on and big brands get involved).

 

Packaging and Formulation Solutions for Plastic Free Hair Products

If you're looking to ditch plastic hair care packaging completely, there are now plenty of options. From solid shampoo and conditioner, to shampoo powders and cubes, but also reusable aluminium bottles and glass jars, you can easily reduce your impact on the environment.

Here are some of our most-loved plastic-free hair products:

Shampoo Bars

: Your go-to is the Shampoo Bar or Solid Shampoo: A brilliant way zero-waste option (most shampoo bars are packaged in card or paper) and cut down on liquid transportation.  - You’ll find more about the benefits of and how solid shampoo works in this article. We can’t help but recommend our award-winning Acala Shampoo Bars!

 

Conditioner Bars

Conditioners can also come in a handy bar, and we’d point you in the direction of Kind2’s award-winning solid conditioner.

 

Shampoo & Conditioner Cubes

There are also some very clever and hugely popular shampoo and conditioners in cube format. Formerly called Beauty Kubes, but now under the brand name Hedgerow and Moor, they are basically like a stock cube that you crush in your hand, add water to and work into your hair. The best-selling shampoo cubes for normal hair are here and you’ll find the cube conditioners here.

 

No Poo Shampoo

Give your hair a complete break from detergents by using amazing Ayurvedic powders that will leave your hair soft and silky. You can buy reetha (soap-nut) powder in no-waste paper pouches from us here:

 

You can also go longer between washes by using dry shampoo - for a no-waste dry shampoo, check out our DIY below.

Hair Dye in Powder Form

Among the worst for packaging, it’s tricky to avoid plastic with hair dyes. The closest we know of is It’s Pure herbal hair dyes which come in powder form in a paper bag, but are supplied with plastic gloves and shower cap for protection.

 

Aluminium Bottles

If you’re keen to keep your liquid shampoo, brands like Faith in Nature offer aluminium bottles and refills (albeit with plastic pumps).

 

Glass Jars or Bottles

For safety, we recommend caution when having glass containers in your shower, but some products like this Macadamia Hair Oil and Clarifying treatment from It’s  Pure are available in squat glass containers.

 

Another option is to make your own DIY hair products…

 

DIY Recipes for Natural Hair Care Products

You can make simple formulas at home with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. These DIY recipes are not only good for your hair, but they are low waste and often vegan.

Download our free DIY Beauty Ebook where you’ll find several natural hair care recipes including how to make dry shampoo and conditioning rinses.

One simple recipe is a vinegar rinse. This can be used to help remove build-up from your hair and scalp. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar – plus a few drops of essential oil to lift the vinegar scent, and then massage it into your scalp and hair. Rinse it out with cool water after a few minutes.

Another easy recipe is a banana mask. This can be used to add moisture to your hair. Simply mash up one ripe banana and apply it to your damp hair. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then rinse it out with warm water.

Here's also an instagram post about DIY dry shampoo. Repurpose your herb shakers for great dry shampoo dispensers - much better than commercial bottles with poor recyclability.

Conclusion

Plastic-free hair products are the way to go if you want to look good and be kinder to the environment at the same time. We hope this guide has helped you learn more about how to transition into a plastic-free hair routine, from tools and products all the way down to packaging. Every little bit helps in our fight against plastic pollution, so start your journey today by choosing sustainable alternatives in your next shop!