Want more info to curate your own active haircare routine?
From exfoliating acids to vitamin C, here's a list of haircare active ingredients and what they can do for your hair.
Oh, and I've also included a few of my top active haircare products recommendations.
1. Hyaluronic Acid.
What does hyaluronic acid do for hair?
You've probably heard about hyaluronic acid's ability to plump and hydrate skin by drawing in moisture from your environment.
In hair care, hyaluronic acid adds moisture to hair follicles to smooth, de-frizz and hydrate hair appearance.
Hyaluronic acid hair products to try:
Think of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp as a hydrating lotion, for your scalp!
You can apply on freshly-washed or dry hair. My favourite way is before bed when I know I'll be washing my hair the next morning.
IGK's THIRSTY GIRL range is one of my all-time favourites for frizzy hair.
IGK THIRSTY GIRL Coconut Milk Anti-Frizz Shampoo and IGK THIRSTY GIRL Coconut Milk Anti-Frizz Conditioner contain coconut milk and patented hyaluronic acid technology.
Plus, they just smell really damn good!
2. AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids).
What do AHAs do for hair?
AHAs like glycolic and lactic acids brighten and smooth the skin by sloughing away surface level dead skin cells.
In hair products, AHAs are your all-rounder ingredients because they help with a bit of everything.
As well as gently exfoliating the scalp, AHAs can enhance the protection and manageability of hair by conditioning, moisturising, strengthening, and preventing hair breakage.
AHA hair products to try:
Alterna Hair My Hair My Canvas Glow Crazy Shine Booster is shiny hair in a bottle.
Kind of like skincare boosters, you can add a few pumps of this shine booster to your conditioner or hair mask in the shower to boost shine for up to 10 washes.
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Fluid Gloss 210ml is another popular shine treatment.
Learn more about if this product is right for you in our Kérastase Chroma Absolu Fluid Gloss review on Beauty IQ.
3. BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids).
What do BHAs do for hair?
Salicylic acid is another popular chemical exfoliant you'll often find in pimple treatments and exfoliating cleansers.
This BHA is great for problematic scalps, as it helps to unclog pores, reduce oil and address a flaky scalp or product build up.
Salicylic acid hair products to try:
I could write a book on how great the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub is, but I won't.
It's our best-selling scalp scrub for many reasons, all of which become apparent after trying the product.
Love bougie hair care? Oribe Serene Scalp Balancing Shampoo is divine.
This gentle treatment shampoo relieves and prevents dandruff while soothing a dry, itchy and irritated scalp. It also looks and smells incredible.
4. Vitamin C.
What does vitamin C do for hair?
Vitamin C might just be the most talked about skincare ingredient for its ability to brighten skin and reduce the look of hyperpigmentation.
The antioxidant ingredient promotes hair health and strength, aids in collagen production and prevents your colour from fading.
Vitamin C in hair products also helps to boost shine and prevent breakage.
Vitamin C hair products to try:
R+Co SUN CATCHER Vitamin C Leave-In Conditioner 119ml is a protective, shine-enhancing leave-in conditioner for all hair types.
You can expect stronger, softer and generally happier hair with regular use, and on top of that, it’s vegan and cruelty free. Too good.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo 300ml is another staff favourite.
It contains vitamin C, plus a bunch of other repairing ingredients to strengthen hair, reduce the look of breakage, and add shine.
5. Antioxidants.
What do antioxidants do for hair?
Antioxidant skincare products are known for their ability to reduce free radical damage in the skin.
In hair care, antioxidants may help to reduce hair loss and assist hair growth, as well as reducing oxidation.
This is especially great for maintaining coloured hair because the oxidation process can make hair look brassy.
Antioxidant hair products to try:
Pretty much the entire Olaplex range contains antioxidants (among other active ingredients), but Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is my top pick.
You can read my Olaplex 9 review on Beauty IQ here, but essentially, it makes my hair look and feel ridiculously smooth, soft and
VIRTUE 6-in-1 Styler 120ml might be the hardest working hair product I know.
The lightweight creme-serum primes hair before styling, protects against heat, sets and seals styles, all while adding softness, shine and light hydration to hair.
6. Oils for Hair.
What do oils do for hair?
There's a good chance you're already using a hair oil, right?
In the same way oils can nourish and protect your skin barrier, oils promote hair health while hydrating and strengthening the hair shaft.
You can expect hair oils to moisturise, add shine, soften and protect hair and prevent breakage.
Hair oil products to try:
The multi-tasking product has over 300 5-star reviews, and contains a blend of argan, marula and camellia oils for your softest hair, ever.
7. Peptides for Hair.
What do peptides do for hair?
There are heaps of different peptides in skin care, but generally speaking, they optimise cell function and increase collagen production.
Peptides and amino acids are common in hair care, as they give hair a fuller, stronger appearance.
Peptide hair products to try:
Virtue's Flourish range has been specifically designed for those concerned about fine, fragile, thinning hair.
Along with hyaluronic acid, keratin and rice extracts, all the Virtue Flourish products contain biomimetic signal peptides to care for the scalp and help create the best environment for growth.
Virtue Flourish Hair Rejuvenation Treatment 1 Month comes with a one-month supply of the shampoo, conditioner and density booster if you're keen to try the range.
And we can't talk about peptides without mentioning K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml - you can read our full K18 review on Beauty IQ for the lowdown on this viral peptide hair treatment.
8. Niacinamide.
What does niacinamide do for hair?
Niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) in skincare supports the skin barrier, brightens, reduces inflammation and controls oil production.
In hair care, niacinamide may help to prevent inflammatory hair loss, and improve hair fullness when applied topically.
It can also balance oil production, which is a plus for anyone with an oily scalp!
Niacinamide hair products to try:
NAK Hair ORI Lab Plump Cleanse Shampoo 300ml and NAK Hair ORI Lab Plump Condition 300ml are two new favourites in my haircare routine.
Chic packaging aside, the clean and vegan formulas plump strands for swishy TV commercial hair.
Last but not least, Apotecari Mane Event is one of our most popular supplements for healthy hair.
Rich in peptide amino acids cysteine and methionine, the twice-daily vegan supplement also contains biotin, vitamin C and vitamin B12 to support the growth of healthy, strong hair.
