Healthy, Holistic Haircare

I’ve been undergoing major shifts in my own health, personal care, education and therefore my business. Since having autoimmune flare-ups and hormonal disruptions earlier this year, I’ve been little-by-little reducing my toxic load, and learning about the scientific impact our personal care products can have on our health.

Clean, non-toxic haircare

For those with autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalances or gut issues (they can often play off each other or even present altogether), an important shift to make alongside better food choices is cleaner ingredients in cosmetics, skincare, haircare, etc.

I met Angela of AKM studio at the perfect time. I actually didn’t know about her extensive knowledge on the topic of healthy haircare when I first booked in, (at the recommendation of a local client). But when I stepped into her studio, I recognized an earthy, spa-like vibe. It is meticulously curated to provide the most restful and zen-like experience. My nervous system felt settled. The senses are so important for our nervous system, and the lack of synthetic fragrance really makes for a comfortable visit. Full of plants and high-end, high-integrity natural products, and details like clear directives on how long to steep my herbal tea for best results… I had truly found my new “salon”.

holistic hair studio, AKM, Hermosa Beach

Angela sold me on the shampoo that she uses in-studio by the brand Oway. I’ve been using this at home for two weeks and I’m stunned. The conditioner is not thick, and I worried my frizzy hair wouldn’t be conditioned enough. But what I found is that the texture of my hair is actually smoother, softer and shinier than it’s ever been. Despite not feeling coated after a rinse, my true hair shines and smells DIVINE, with no “fragrance”. It is scented simply with essential oils, and it’s the best-smelling product I’ve ever used on my hair. Maybe my hair was never frizzy to begin with? Maybe it was something in the other products causing that effect? Who knows. But I never want to go back. Every wash feels like an indulgence and details like that really do make your day better!

Oway, non-toxic haircare

I had recently been trying out Lolavie, Crown Affair, and had used brands like Oribe in the past. Although some of these are considered clean, they contain fragrance, making it difficult to know exactly what ingredients are inside. There’s more info on that below.

I loved Crown Affair for a season, but then found my hair was lighter and fluffier with Lolavie. That was going to be my runner-up option to Oway, but then I fell so in love with Oway that I’m now sticking.

Non-toxic haircare

Angela, upon request, answered some questions about the ingredients in the shampoos I was considering. She provided me with a list, and elaborated further about Sodium Benzoate when I had follow-up questions about combining it with vitamin C. Here is what she shared with me:

Sodium benzoate, a common preservative, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are often used together in skincare products like vitamin c serums and lotions. When these two ingredients combine, they can create a toxic chemical called benzene, which has been linked to serious health issues such as leukemia and other blood disorders. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp)

If one product contains sodium benzoate and another contains vitamin C, and they are applied concurrently, there is potential for benzene to form on the skin. This potential depends on the concentrations of both ingredients and whether the mixture is exposed to heat or UV light.

Agencies like the FDA, monitor and limit the concentrations of these ingredients to minimize the risk of benzene formation. However, it's important to note that there have been cases where products were considered and were later found to be problematic.

For example, in 2022, hair care brands like Dove, Nexxus, TRESemmé, and Suave had to recall their dry shampoo products across 43 states because the propellants used in the aerosol cans contained benzene (sources: (The Healthy) (The Filtery) (Bestie Paws) (NaturalNews.com).

The FDA also relies on manufacturers to accurately report the concentrations, and does not test products before they are sold, but rather conducts random inspections.

*Haircare companies also hide toxic ingredients in their “fragrances”. If you have concerns, reach out to them and request if their fragrances have any clean certifications or potential harmful or toxic ingredients.

AKM studio, holistic hair studio

AKM Studio is located at 1559 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach. You can follow on Instagram @akm.hair, or book through her website. When mentioning me as a referral, you’ll receive $30 off your first service.

Book with Angela online, here.

You can find Oway and Arete at Holistic Hair Tribe.

https://www.holistichairtribe.com/discount/

-Use this link to get $5 off every order, or enter code HHT4020 at checkout

-Free shipping over $50

This post is not sponsored, I just really want to share when luxurious experiences and healthy lifestyles can come together to help us all feel better.

Stay tuned for more clean beauty content and holistic community content as I progress in my own transformative journey. Please share in the comments if you’ve found clean products you love, or if you’ve struggled to make the switch!