The Ordinary skincare range has become a go-to for beauty junkies. Since its launch in 2016, it has impressed me with its efficacy and transparency around active ingredients, no-frills packaging - and unbeatable prices. This month the brand has added three new haircare products to join The Ordinary's Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, which for those who use this hair treatment swear by its ability to create fuller, thicker, denser-looking locks. Back to these newbies, the range consists of a dual hair and body cleanser, a conditioner and hydrating scalp treatment. Editor Trudi Brewer talks to Prudvi Mohan Kaka, the chief scientific officer for global beauty giant Deciem, the parent company of The Ordinary, to find out what's inside the range and how it works. Read on to learn more.
Who did you have in mind when creating The Ordinary Hair Care?
The range intends to focus on the importance of placing the same amount of effort towards caring for the hair and scalp as one would towards their skincare. Our goal was to bring this same honest and transparent approach to hair care at an honest price point. Haircare has traditionally been marketed with solutions targeting a short-term appearance, with scalp care often neglected or overlooked. We have taken a three-step approach to a hair care regimen with products formulated to effectively cleanse, keep hair manageable through conditioning, and target scalp skin hydration directly through a leave-in scalp treatment.
The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Hair & Body, $13.
Gentle but fast-acting, this is a dual-purpose hair and body cleanser. Before you get concerned that it contains SLS, they are biodegradable; the SLES-2, in this formula, is a milder sulphate designed to take care of your skin and hair while giving both the hair and skin a good cleanse. It suds up quickly and leaves your hair feeling fresh and bouncy. It’s also fragrance-free - also a big bonus, it won’t fade your expensive hair colour.
Dual-action hair and body shampoo are traditionally made for men or women with no colour in their hair. Is this the market for this product?
Our products are created with all skin and hair types in mind. The range is suitable for anyone wanting to invest in a hair care regimen that is simple in design and effective in function. Specifically, our Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair, provides gentle, effective cleansing without fading your hair colour.
The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner $13.
If, like me, you need a conditioner to drench your hair with moisture and not weigh down your style, then this may be worth trying. The addition of behentrimonium chloride (a waxy substance derived from canola or rapeseed) leaves the hair feeling smooth and looking silky. With this conditioner, a little goes a long way.
Many consider SLS (sodium laurel sulphates) a no, no when it comes to ingredients; why choose to use this?
The Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) in The Ordinary Hair Care Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair is bio-sourced. The Sulphate cleanser was developed to cleanse the scalp and hair and remove unwanted sebum, environmental dust, and residues of hair care products. Most of this dirt, including sebum, is water-insoluble (won’t effectively be removed by water alone). Sulphates are safe to be used in hair care applications provided that they are intentionally formulated, as was our product. Concentrations of sulphates in hair care products may vary. Still, with the correct formulation techniques, cleansers containing sulphates, or any derivatives, can be created to produce a very effective product with mild, gentle cleansing capabilities.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA $22.
Think of this as a serum treatment that contains ingredients that mimic your skin's natural moisturising factors (NMF). The critical ingredient behentrimonium chloride, a waxy substance extracted from canola or rapeseed, once whipped into a milky serum, is a one-of-a-kind leave-in treatment that nourishes the scalp and the hair at the roots, helping to soothe irritation while encouraging robust and healthy hair.
How do you use the scalp treatment?
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a unique milky emulsion for the scalp. It’s lightweight and spreadable, allowing for easy product distribution along the scalp without weighing down the hair or leaving the hair looking greasy. To use, separate the hair into sections and apply a small amount of product directly onto the scalp in the desired area and massage it into the scalp. We recommend using this product daily, ideally at bedtime, onto a clean and dry scalp.
The Ordinary Hair Care range is suitable for any hair type or texture, as well as coloured hair. All the products are science-backed, free from fancy fragrances, are vegan and cruelty-free.
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