11 paraben-free hair care products that are also budget-friendly
Whether you enjoy strolling the hair care aisle of your favorite stores or scrolling through endless pages of goodies online, these days you’re almost sure to notice more and more hair care products with the phrase “paraben-free” on their labels. But what are parabens? So glad you asked. Parabens are preservatives — which are added to shampoos, conditioners, lotions, body washes, facial cleansers, and most of our hair creams and styling products to prevent the growth of fungus, bacteria, and other microbes while extending their shelf life.
That seems fine, right? So, why are so many companies now focused on eliminating these seemingly harmless preservatives?
Here’s the thing: Parabens are easily absorbed through the skin and can eventually make their way into our digestive systems. Further research shows that exposure to these chemicals may actually affect our reproductive systems causing fertility issues and have been linked to breast cancer. They’ve also been proven to disrupt our normal hormone functions.
Now, we’re not saying all your paraben-filled products should be instantly thrown away or that they will automatically make you sick, but we also totally understand if you’re interested in investing in some paraben-free hair care. And because we always have your back, we’ve put together an awesome list of paraben-free hair care products that won’t break the bank.
1Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque, $14.75
This Macadamia oil deep repair masque is great for taming frizz, detangling, and getting rid of dullness. Lightweight and non-greasy, the nutty oil adds shine and vitality to your strands while keeping your scalp moisturized.
2Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage Deep Conditioner, $15.40
Use Alikay’s yummy smelling, 100% natural honey and sage deep conditioner before your next wash day or right after you’ve washed to revitalize weak, dry, or thirsty hair.
3Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant, $7.59
We know how damaging constant heat styling can be for our hair, so protect your strands with Cantu’s frizz reducing heat protectant spray. Plus, shea butter makes everything better.
4Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner Duo Pack, $58.00
A little on the pricier side compared to the other products on our list, but a little goes a very, very long way. The shampoo-conditioner duo smells amazing while leaving your hair feeling healthy and lustrous.
5SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Reparative Leave-In Conditioner, $11.52
SheaMoisture has been one of the biggest players in the natural haircare game for years and once you try their Jamaican black castor oil line (or any of their products), you’ll realize why.
6Jane Carter Scalp Nourishing Serum, $9.85
Healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp! This nourishing serum promises to fortify your scalp while alleviating dryness and itch.
7Karen’s Body Beautiful Super Duper Hydrating Hair, $17.12 Cream
This intensely hydrating hair cream will also moisturize and nourish your scalp.
8Moroccan Oil Smoothing Lotion, $24.99
Described as an all-in-one blow-dry hair lotion, this product will leave your hair touchably soft and super manageable. Say “goodbye” to frizz for good.
9As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner, $5.99
Regular shampoo can sometimes be too drying but this coconut co-wash is the perfect replacement. It’ll remove all the excess product buildup without the dryness.
10Giovanni Organic Styling Mist, $6.14
After you’ve styled your hair to your little heart’s content, use this hair spritz to keep every strand in place.
11 Raw Apothecary Coconut Oil, $11.95
And as an added bonus, coconut oil — because no haircare routine is complete without the magic of coconut oil!
All the companies listed here have committed to creating paraben-free products but it’s always a great idea to check your labels. Be sure to check for chemicals like: ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, isopropylparaben, or any other ingredients ending in “–paraben”.
