For decades, alcohol has been the standard ingredient included in hair sprays and styling products to effectively hold curls, increase volume and prevent frizz in humidity. However, the drying, stiffening, and potential scalp irritation caused by alcohol has spurred increasing demand for alcohol-free hair styling alternatives. What benefits might non-alcohol formulas offer for various hair types and styles? Do any cons exist going the alcohol-free hairspray route? Let’s weigh the arguments!
How Alcohol Works in Traditional Hairspray
First, understanding common hairspray alcohol basics aids in choosing possible healthier options. Most contain synthetic alcohol-denatured ethanol derived from petroleum sources. Alcohol efficiently evaporates at room temperature. As the liquid component volatilizes off hair strand surfaces, resin-based polymers remain clinging to locks providing hold.
However, this alcohol vaporization pulls moisture from both hair and scalp skin over time thanks to its affinity for binding with water molecules. The drying effect damages cuticle integrity and depletes shine. Alcohol also irritates sensitive skin and clogs follicles which can trigger dandruff. Thus, the quest began to formulate effective alcohol-free hair styling substitutes.
Benefits of Alcohol-Free Hairspray
Fortunately eliminating alcohol doesn’t necessarily sabotage performance provided the right botanical extracts replace it as the volatile carrier agent coupled with advanced synthetic fixatives or waxes. The best alcohol-free hairsprays earn praise for soothing scalps, preventing breakage, and maintaining soft, touchable texture. Further benefits of these gentler formulas include reduced drying and damage from alcohol, making hair softer and more manageable. When reviewing alcohol-free options, look for hairsprays that deliver flexible hold without stiffness or flaking. Seek out nourishing ingredients like aloe vera along with polymers and resins for reliable hold. Considering the benefits of alcohol-free hairspray, these gentler formulas can boost volume, add shine and cut down on frizz for healthy, touchable hair.
Non-Irritating and Hypoallergenic
Those susceptible to contact dermatitis or scalp discomfort from fragrances, chemicals and common allergens can comfortably use most alcohol-free hairsprays without redness, itching or flaking thanks to botanically-based ingredients. Read labels for hypoallergenic confirmation. This makes daily styling accessible to more individuals.
Prevents Over-Drying of Hair and Scalp
Since alcohol-free hairsprays avoid moisture-stripping alcohols, hair remains springy with shine intact. Scalp skin retains protective oils too. This alleviates dryness-induced brittleness and static while refreshing thirsty follicles. Hair feels supple every day rather than crispy straw needing repair treatments later.
Detangles While Defrizzing
Certain alcohol-free formulas harness conditioning botanical oils and butters letting users detangle snarls with a wide-tooth comb while simultaneously defrizzing for smoother texture. Brands like Sun Bum add moisturizing banana and coconut extracts to increase surface slip when combing out knots carefully. This reduces breakage incidents.
Soft Touchable Hold
Today’s alcohol-free hairsprays utilize advanced polymer and silicone chemistry allowing flexible rather than rigid crunchy hold. Hair still retains movement, bounce and a natural appearance. Users achieve touchably soft curls, waves and updos rather than concrete helmets requiring heavy brushing out later.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Most alcohol-free hairsprays avoid harsh industrial fixatives and propellants containing volatile organic compounds that contaminate groundwater and release greenhouse gases exacerbating climate change. Brands like Acure feature 80-100% certified organic ingredients and sustainable eco-friendly packaging.
While the alcohol-free concept sounds ideal, most formulations still rely on an alternate fast-dissipating carrier to deliver their polymers to hair strands just like alcohol-based products do. Could these natural volatile compounds potentially cause issues for some?
Pitfalls of Alcohol Substitutes in Hairspray
Common alcohol replacements in “alcohol-free” hair styling formulas include denatured ethanol from cereal grains, propane or citrus extracts containing volatile compounds like limonene or pinene which still dissipate from products creating a holding effect. However, these might instigate allergies, air pollution or skin drying too.
Citrus Extract Reactions
Fragrant citrus oils like neroli, grapefruit, lime and orange frequently supply fragrance and act as carrier fluids in alcohol-free hair care ranges. But just like synthetic fragrance mixes, vitamins or preservatives, citrus ingredients may aggravate skin sensitivities or reactions in those vulnerable to contact dermatitis when citrus botanicals oxidize.
Propane and Climate Change
Beauty brands like R+Co and Kristin Ess retire alcohol in favor of propane-derived ingredients functioning similarly for humidity resistance and hold. However, extracting and refining propane requires substantial environmental resources. During production and global transit of these aerosol products before usage, they leak methane pollution contributing significantly to climate change too.
Non-Moisturizing Hold
While alcohol-free hair spray ingredients theoretically seem gentler than chemical alcohols, some offer no actual moisturizing or nourishing qualities for hair and scalp despite being listed as “natural”. They exclusively focus on non-stiff hold and performance lacking oils or butters to counter potential drying effects in daily use leaving locks thirsty for hydrating hair masks. Proceed with realistic expectations.
Pay Attention to Performance Promises
Recognize that removing alcohol fundamentally means altering the mechanisms of how hair spray works by necessity. This affects end results. So adjust hopes accordingly when experimenting with non-alcohol formulas if your highest priority is concrete resistance to extreme humidity and lasting strict shapes.
The bottom line is no holy grail one-size-fits-all alcohol-free hair spray brand exists because individual body chemistry, styling goals and environment differ widely. However, the environmental and potential scalp irritation-reducing advantages make alcohol-free hair products worth exploring as the formulas improve.
Tips for Making Alcohol-Free Hairspray Work For You
When debating trying non-alcohol hair spray options, consider these expert tips to select optimal alternatives aligning with your unique hair properties and climate conditions:
Analyze Your Hair’s Baseline Need
Thick, coarse curly locks thrive with heavier oils and waxes for sleek definition compared to what fine, straight hair tolerates before falling limp. Seek light citrus-based sprays if you desire volume or gentle florals for flat hair needing weightless lift by reading descriptions.
Consider Humidity and Weather Patterns
Those residing in hot, humid delta regions won’t achieve the same longevity of smooth styles in swampy July air as Colorado dwellers would. Maximize alcohol-free hairspray success by incorporating layered pros like leave-in treatments or drying powder before spraying for fortification in extreme conditions.
Supplement With Other Styling Products
Except with simple messy or short looks, rely on supplemental gels, mousses or heat styling beforehand when desiring elaborate lasting updos, intricate braids or ringleted texture from alcohol-free hairspray. This provides foundations for anti-up longevity rather than expecting miracles from spritzing alone.
Troubleshoot Facts Vs. Marketing Hype
Don’t expect non-alcohol hair spray to rival the holding tenacity of chemical-laden formulas containing vinyl and acrylates just because brands label it “firm hold” and tout miracle claims if reviews indicate otherwise. Determine realistic expectations aligned with your style aspirations.
In Conclusion
The bottom line is alcohol-free hair spray brings measurable scalp and hair health advantages over alcohol-based variants while suiting eco-conscious consumers and allergy-prone individuals provided the product performs relative humidity and durability expectations align reasonably. Adjust techniques and layered products to maximize desired results as the formulas progress. Then enjoy good hair days with peace of mind!