Fragrance-free hair products benefit curls in a plethora of essential ways, helping keep them as healthy-looking as can be. Whether you want to help protect your scalp, or you have sensitive skin or allergies, fragrance-free products could be the perfect solution for your curls, coils and waves. Read on to find out more about the benefits of using fragrance-free products, and how to use them for the best results.
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What are the Benefits of going Fragrance-Free?
Fragrance is often included in hair products and it can make a brilliant addition. Fragrances - whether woody and earthy, or citrus and fruity - can transform the styling process into a sensory experience. Not to mention, it can be lovely to receive a compliment like, “your hair smells good,” thanks to the fragrances in your products!
However, it can also be beneficial to opt for products that don’t include any fragrances - and Curlsmith’s dermatologically tested Fragrance-free recipe is the perfect choice. But first, let’s explore what the benefits actually are.
Benefit 1: Fragrance-Free Hair Products are Gentle on the Scalp
In some cases, the ingredients found in fragrances - whether they’re synthetic or natural - can irritate the scalp, which can cause itchiness, flaking or dryness. When you go fragrance-free, you may reduce the risk of experiencing these frustrating symptoms.
According to clinical trichologist Kate Holden, this is especially important for those with curly hair.
“People with curly hair usually wash their hair less frequently and use heavier moisturising products and oils to reduce dryness and frizz,” she says. “Because of this, products tend to sit on the scalp for longer, so you are more likely to experience build-up and irritation from products.”
If those products are fragrance-free, however, you reduce the risks of irritation caused by product build-up. This can therefore help you maintain a happy, healthy- feeling scalp.
Benefit 2: Fragrance-Free Products Protect your Natural Curl Pattern
Fragrance-free products may help protect (and even enhance) your natural curl pattern, for a number of reasons. First, they tend to avoid drying ingredients, which can strip moisture from the hair and result in more frizz emerging from each curl. Secondly, they help reduce the risk of cuticle damage, which studies suggest can be exacerbated by harsher chemical ingredients.
Benefit 3: Fragrance-Free Products Help Preserve your Hair’s Natural Oils
We all know that curly hair tends to be drier than other hair types, so it’s very important to lock in moisture for healthy-feeling curls, coils and waves. Fragrance-free products help with this since they skip harsh solvents in their ingredients lists, which can strip the scalp and hair of natural oils. However, this can lead to excessive oil removal, so it’s best to avoid these ingredients if you have naturally-drier curly hair.
Benefit 4: Fragrance-Free Products can Help you Avoid Clashing Scents
If you still like the feeling and smell of fragrance in your products, it may be beneficial to use some fragrance-free products in your routine. For example, if you use fragranced stylers, you may want to use fragrance-free wash products. This means you can avoid scents clashing and overlapping, as there will be a reduction of ingredients.
Benefit 5: Fragrance-Free Products Reduce Risks of Allergic Reactions
Some fragrances contain allergenic compounds, which could cause a reaction if you’re prone to allergies. These compounds include linalool, eugenol and citral. If you choose fragrance-free products, you may reduce exposing your skin to these potential triggers.
Best Fragrance-Free Products for Curls, Waves and Coils
The products in Curlsmith’s fragrance-free recipes are suitable for all curl types - and the best part is that each product in the range is completely free from fragrance.
Shampoo and Conditioner: Wash your hair using the fragrance-free shampoo and fragrance-free conditioner, which are both formulated to clean your hair, without stripping your curls of those all-important natural oils. Using fragrance-free wash products is a great idea if you have fragranced products in the rest of your routine, in order to give your hair a clean, light base, help prevent product build-up and avoid clashing scents.
Leave-in Conditioner: If you’re looking for a lightweight leave-in conditioner that will leave your curls silky and smooth, the fragrance-free leave-in conditioner is the ideal product to moisturise your hair without weighing it down.
Gel: To hold your curls in place and emphasise their natural pattern, choose from the fragrance-free stronghold gel for lasting definition and style.
How to See the Benefits of Fragrance-Free Hair Products
If you want to reap the rewards of using fragrance-free products, it’s best to integrate them into your regular curly wash day routine and use them consistently. Here’s a useful step-by-step guide for using every product in Curlsmith’s fragrance-free Shine Recipe:
Step 1: Shampoo. With wet hair in the shower, massage in a generous blob of fragrance-free shampoo to cleanse your hair, gently removing debris and product build-up from the scalp. Be sure to focus on the roots of your hair, before rinsing out.
Step 2: Condition. Once you have thoroughly rinsed out the shampoo, it’s time to apply the fragrance-free conditioner. This will help nourish and soften your hair, making it much easier to detangle - whether you’re using a brush, or you’re simply detangling with your fingers. Once you’re done detangling, rinse out the conditioner.
Step 3: Hydrate. Whether you prefer to do this step in or out of the shower, rake the fragrance-free leave-in conditioner through your wet hair with your fingers to ensure you distribute it evenly. This brilliant cream plays a dual role - adding extra hydration to your hair, while also elevating your curl pattern. Once you have used the ‘praying hands’ method to smooth strands, you can gently scrunch your curls upwards to encourage curl formation.
Step 4: Style. Now, it’s time to lock in those curls! For maximum definition and strong hold, go for the fragrance-free stronghold gel. Rub the gel between your hands and use the praying hands method to smoothe from top to ends. Then select your preferred styling method, to allow your bounciest, most beautiful curls to form.
What Potential Issues Could Fragrance Cause?
Anyone can enjoy fragrance-free benefits, but some people may be even more inclined to use them. For example, if you work in healthcare, as a nurse, it is often advised to avoid fragrance in your products as some patients may have certain allergies or chemical sensitivities.
And if your skin is sensitive to irritation or allergies, it may even be essential to choose fragrance-free hair products.
“Both natural and synthetic fragrances can cause irritant and allergic reactions,” Kate Holden tells us. “Irritant reactions, also called irritant contact dermatitis, develop immediately or shortly after applying the product. If you have sensitive skin, fragrances will likely irritate you. Allergic reactions are a delayed response which happens after repeated exposure, usually after a few hours or even a day later.”
If you’re prone to allergies, you can help avoid this by doing patch tests to check that the product doesn’t cause a reaction for you caused by either the fragrance or another ingredient within the product. Find out how to do a patch test here. It’s important to be aware of any potential reactions, considering irritation and allergic reactions can be more than just unpleasant.
“Irritation can cause itching, redness and flaking on the scalp”, Kate Holden says. “Allergic reactions can also cause swelling and can spread to your face and other areas on your body. Severe reactions can even cause hair loss.”
Still, your products don’t have to be completely fragrance-free in order to avoid negative reactions. Every product from Curlsmith is vegan and cruelty-free; made without parabens, silicones and sulphates, which can all wreak havoc on hair.
Trust Curlsmith: The Curl Experts
Whether you choose to use products containing fragrance or without, one thing’s for sure: Curlsmith has everything you need for your curl type - be they loose waves or tight coils. Backed by experts, you can rely on Curlsmith for safe and curl-enhancing products that work with your natural hair to make it the best it can be.
