The Paraben-Free Hair Care Products Your Routine Needs Right Now

A big part of looking at product ingredient lists involves searching for certain nutrients to aid in your beauty needs — it’s also important to make sure that certain contents are left out of your favorite products. Inrecent years, hair care makers  have  moved away from certain ingredients like sulfates, and other additives, like parabens, quickly added to the no-no list.

But while you’ve probably seen the term paraben-free all over drugstore shelves, you may not know exactly what it means. Here, we break down whether parabens are harmful, as well as the best paraben-free products to add to your hair care routine. 

What Are Parabens?

Parabens are a family of man-made chemicals that are used to preserve items, including cosmetics, hair care, foods, and beverages, and according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they help combat the growth of harmful bacteria or mold in products.
 

Are Parabens Harmful?

It’s unclear how and if parabens affect human health, but as The Washington Post reports, concerns about parabens first arose in the late 1990s, and the controversy further rose in 2004 when Philippa Darbre, professor emeritus at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Reading, did a small study that found parabens in the tissue of breast tumors. 

However, there has been no confirmed connection between parabens and breast cancer, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA continue to allow the presence of parabens in consumer goods. 

And while removing parabens from your hair care routine won’t do any harm, it is important to note that experts do warn that some paraben-free items may last for a shorter time, so make sure to check your product’s shelf life.

How to Remove Parabens From Your Hair Care Routine

Removing parabens from your hair care products is as easy as checking the ingredient list, and parabens are often listed on labels as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. 

Once you’ve removed parabens from your routine, it’s easy to replace them with paraben-free options, and these five items below will take care of your hair from root to tip.

The Best Paraben-Free Hair Care Products

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hylauron Plump Shampoo, Paraben-Free and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hylauron Plump Conditioner, Paraben-Free

This duo works best together, as the skin care inspired hyaluronic care complex in both the shampoo and conditioner provides hours of hydration and replenished moisture to your strands. After using, your hair will feel bouncier and smoother.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Micellar Shampoo

Both sulfate and paraben-free, this micellar shampoo works similarly to the ever popular micellar water used in skin care routines, and it’s also formulated with hyaluronic acid and fine castor oil, to both hydrate and soothe hair. The shampoo’s pointed tip also targets the scalp to gently remove dirt and build-up, while also leaving you with hydrated and bouncy hair that doesn’t feel weighed down.

L’Oréal Paris Sulfate-Free Signature Masque, Color Care Hair Mask

Hair masks are a nourishing product that will help your hair with hydration and moisturization, and it’s especially important for those with color treated hair. This masque has a vegan protein and rose extract for shine and nourishment, and in addition to being paraben-free, it’s also sulfate-free, dye-free, gluten-free and vegan.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free

Great for all hair types, this hair serum is the perfect finishing product for your hair care routine. After using your shampoo and conditioner, the nourishing serum can be applied on wet or dry hair to hydrate and replump your hair fibers before moving on to styling.

Next: The Best Shampoos to Use Based on Your Hair Type

Written by: Témi Adebowale, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Paul Yem, Photo Assistant: Matt Licari, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Wardrobe Assistant: Jazmine Alzado, Model: Shann Hitch