It's widely known that botanicals— substances of or relating to plants or plant life—are important in maintaining the body's
health. Now, botanicals are turning up more often in haircare products. From strengthening, moisturizing and nourishing benefits
to softening, hydrating and adding shine to tresses, botanicals have proven to be good for hair's health. "People do a lot
to keep their skin young, but they don't do a lot for their hair," says Guita Dovas, owner and founder of Oloff Beauty, makers
of Aetó Botanica. "Botanicals that are chemical-, sulfate-, and paraben-free in hair products are crucial to promoting strength
and vitality in hair." Consumers are a driving force behind the popularity of botanical ingredients, and companies are responding
to this trend.
According to the American Spa/American Salon Green Book 2008, natural ingredients continue to be appealing to both male and female salon-goers when purchasing haircare products. From
botanicals and other natural ingredients to vitamins and minerals, "the challenge for manufacturers has been to come up with
new ingredients or combinations of ingredients that differentiate their products from the hundreds of others available to
and through salons," states the Green Book. Nevertheless, companies are continually releasing exciting botantical-based haircare products that address specific haircare
needs. Here's a look at what's available.
Control
To tame unruly or frizzy curls, several companies have started developing products with botanicals in them. Almond-derived
emollients, fruit extracts, arnica and ginkgo biloba are key ingredients in Profound Beauty Curl Serum, which works to provide curly hair with emolliency, hydration and control. TIGI Bed Head also utilizes botanical ingredients to control curls and fight frizz. Foxy Curls Contour Cream, part of the company's new
Foxy Curls line, features sunflower seed extract, jojoba seed oil, shea butter and green tea extract, which work to define,
shape and support curls; provide UV protection; eliminate frizz; and add shine. Strengthen
Plants are often used in haircare products because of their strengthening and moisturizing properties. In Eugene Perma Paris Essentiel products, baobab leaf extract is a vital ingredient. "Baobab has been used by African women for centuries because
of its film-forming, nourishing and moisturizing carbohydrates, which add softness and make detangling easier," says Aurélie
Peligri, international products manager of Eugene Perma Paris.
Also utilizing plant extracts is the Alterna Hemp with Organics line, which contains certified-organic botanicals of avocado, cranberry, cucumber and white tea to deliver
essential nutrients to hair and organic hemp seed oil to strengthen it and help preserve these nutrients.
Developing haircare products that are both good for the hair and safe for the environment is Aetó Botanica's philosophy. "We have a partnership with the farmers who harvest the botanicals we use to make sure we only use botanicals
that come from sustainable sources," Dovas says. The line's Bamboo & Yucca Fortifying Shampoo and Bamboo & Hibiscus Fortifying
Conditioner feature extracts of yucca glauca, hibiscus and bamboo that help strengthen and moisturize damaged hair. "We researched
what the old tribes and civilizations used to heal disorders and then brought those ingredients into our products to create
a strictly curative and strengthening line," Dovas says.
KIS shampoos, conditioners and styling products also help strengthen hair with the Omega-SPA Complex, which consists of flaxseed
and walnut extracts, both packed with essential omega-3 and omega-6 to promote a healthy scalp and hair. Tibetan goji berry
helps fight the effects of the sun, chemicals and the environment, while preserving the color and health of the hair.
