Around 3 years ago I set off on a journey to learn how to formulate and make my own pomade.
I knew I definitely wanted to do something different and stand apart from other brands.
First thing I did was find a local Alchemist/Product maker that could help me understand the ingredients and the processes necessary to make pomade.
Something that came as a shock to me were the ingredients in everyday pomade/skin care brands. Most of these ingredients contained micro plastics and petroleum products.
After finding this out I really wanted to understand the impact that these products have on our health and the environment. I was stunned that the ingredients I was reading about were on lists of products to most likely cause cancer and had serious impacts on our water supply and the earth.
This completely changed my outlook on the brands I would use and what I wanted to create in the future for hair and skin.
When choosing ingredients for our products I had to make sure what we were using was safe for the consumer. I am saying this for a few reasons. First, your skin is the largest organ on your body. It absorbs everything that comes into contact with it. Common chemicals found in haircare products such as parabens, sulfates and phthalates can strip your scalp of its natural oils leading to dryness and itching. They can also clog hair follicles, leading to hair loss and scalp problems. And honestly, as a barber who talks to dozens of guys a day, I already know that hair loss is something most all men fear. According to the American Hair Loss Association it is estimated that about 25% of men will experience significant hair loss by the age of 30 and about two thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 60. Why on earth would we want to speed or help that process along by putting harmful chemicals in our hair?!
Realizing the impact on our environment
I think most people can agree with me when I say we love our planet and want to see it thrive for many years to come. Staying away from using these harmful chemicals is just one of the many ways we can help make that happen.
You might be wondering… Well, what kind of impact do these chemicals have on our planet?
- Water pollution: Many hair and skin care products contain chemicals that can pollute water when they are washed down the drain. These chemicals can harm aquatic life and make water unsafe for human consumption.
- Micro Plastics: Many hair and skin care products, such as pomades and body washes, contain micro plastics, which are tiny plastic particles that are smaller than 5mm in size. Micro plastics can be harmful to marine life and end up in oceans, where they can be ingested by marine animals and enter the food chain.
- Air pollution: The production of the chemicals used in hair and skin care products can lead to air pollution from the release of chemicals and greenhouse gases.
- Land pollution: Landfills are often filled with the plastic packaging of these hair care products, which can take years to decompose, and can release harmful chemicals into the soil.
Overall, the impact the haircare industry has on our planet is huge. And I wanted to be on the other side of that. Thats where my plant based journey started and has become our biggest core value as a company. Ensuring we provide the healthiest and best products possible.
It felt so good to be educated on what I was using for my hair and skin. In the past I had just gone with whatever I was told was good. I think a lot of us end up that way out of convenience. Just do what’s easy right?
Well, I’ve found the best things in life don’t come easy. They are the things you have to educate yourself and work for.
I am proud of our company and the ingredients we use. Thats why I urge you as a consumer to read the label, educate yourself and select products that benefit your health and the planet.