Biodegradable and Synthetic Ingredients in Hair Care

When we talk about hair care, we often discuss the effects on our hair and scalp. But have you considered the environmental impact of the products you use? Hair care products, especially those containing non-biodegradable ingredients, can have serious consequences for the environment.

What does biodegradable mean? It refers to substances that can be broken down naturally by environmental factors such as sunlight and microorganisms. Biodegradable ingredients are often made from renewable resources like plants and algae, and they decompose into non-toxic components, leaving minimal environmental footprint. Non-biodegradable, or synthetic, ingredients persist in the environment because they resist natural decomposition. They accumulate in soil and water, contributing to pollution and harming wildlife.

Biodegradable hair care products often contain natural ingredients like aloe vera, plant-based oils, and plant-derived polymers such as sclerotium gum. These benefit your hair and decompose without harming the environment. Non-biodegradable ingredients commonly found in hair care include parabens, silicones, propylenes, formaldehydes, and certain alcohols. These can linger in the environment for years, damaging flora and fauna.

Switching to sustainable hair care can benefit both you and the planet. Biodegradable ingredients nourish your hair while reducing waste and supporting a circular economy. Choosing them is a meaningful step toward sustainable living and zero-waste hair care.

Where can you check your product's ingredient list? The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database lets you look up an entire product by name and even see formula changes. If a product isn't listed, you can search ingredients individually. We recommend looking up at least the first five or six ingredients, since ingredients are listed in order of how much is in the formula.

What is A Simple Planet doing? We are committed to using only plant-derived or whole-plant ingredients in our formulas. Several ingredients in our formulas, such as citric acid and L-arginine, can be produced synthetically, and we choose to source them only from plant-based manufacturers.