Beauty elicits a deep, instinctive need to share from an early age.
Cooties be damned, she will prettify every second grader in sight.
We see this same communal spirit, shall we say, within the industry.
Getty Images
Across brands and categories, this “borrowing” of ideas and technologies sparks trends and spawns knock-offs.
Cosmetic ingredients flow freely, breaking all boundaries: Those once reserved for creams find their way into compacts.
The same earthy clay andcharcoalthat purify pores can also whiten teeth and degrease roots.
And we’re all for spreading the love when the science is legit.
Are we going too far in attempting to “revitalize” something that’s technically dead?
But once sprouted from the scalp, those strands possess no living cells or repair mechanisms.
and chemists devise deep-diving delivery systems and penetration enhancers to guarantee performance.
Only chemicals like hair dyes andrelaxerscan alter hair in a lasting way.
So what of these new skin-inspired #hairgoals we’re hearing about, like anti-pollution and high-tech hydration?
“Most of this is marketing-driven, with maybe a kernel of truth underneath,” says Schueller.
Across beauty lines, science sells: “How do you make hair care more innovative?
By using skin-care ingredients that elevate the level of sophistication,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King.
But why are we so eager to buy?
“Any product that promotes youth, well-being, and vitality will be enormously appealing.”
Lucky for you, beauty analysis is sort of our jam.
Hair tends to become finer over time as follicles miniaturize after menopause, she adds.
It may turn coarse and brittle, and as pigment production wanes,fade to gray.
On the scalp, cell turnover slows, giving rise to oil and flakes.
Surprisingly,peptides, which rev up collagen production, do show promise for aging hair.
On the face, they plump skin to delay wrinkles and sagging.
As for sun care, hats trump UV filters.
“For the actual hair cuticle itself, AHAs serve no purpose.”
That said, pollution’s precise toll on hair is unknown.
“I havent seen a ton of research proving its a major threat,” says Schueller.
WHAT WORKS:With thinning and graying as potential consequences, why take chances?
It shares the same lipids and humectants, and it’s equally prone to dryness and irritation.
The Bottom Line
The secret to beautiful hair is a healthy scalp.
More on hair care:
Now watch this wash-day routine for detangling and dermatitis:
