Do you really know what's in your shampoo? Well, here's the answer to what's in ours!

 

You want to do the best for your hair – that’s probably why you’re reading this blog! But what’s really behind those words on the label, and really inside the products on your bathroom shelf? And, what is it about the ingredients you’re investigating that makes them so beneficial for hair?

Biotin For Hair

What is Biotin?

Biotin actually has many names: Vitamin H, Vitamin B7, or Vitamin B8 and is a water-soluble B vitamin. It’s also known as the skin, hair and nails vitamin!

How does it work?

Biotin is critical to numerous functions within the body including cell growth, metabolism, and cell repair, but the body also requires biotin to optimise the protein Keratin’s infrastructure. Keratin is a basic protein that literally makes up your hair, skin, and nails!

However, taking biotin can only impact hair growth if there is an existing biotin deficiency in the body. Remember, biotin is water-soluble, so it will just be processed into your urine by the body if there’s no use for the excess.

Where can I find it?

Foods rich in biotin include almonds, peanuts, walnuts, egg yolks, bananas, cauliflower, mushrooms, soybeans, whole grains, legumes and organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc).

Biotin is a key ingredient in our hypoallergenic and vegan Hair Thickening Mask, and our paraben and sulphate-free Microstem Shampoo and Conditioner.

Hydrolysed Keratin For Hair

What is it?

Hair is made out of the protein keratin. Hydrolysed keratin is essentially a large protein molecule that has gone through a chemical process where it's broken down into a form that allows it to properly penetrate the hair cuticle. Proteins that do not go through this process simply sit on the outside of the hair shaft, and therefore do not actually benefit the hair’s integral structure.

What does it do?

When used topically on the hair, hydrolysed keratin aids in filling in any minor gaps or breaks throughout the hair shaft. By doing so, it restores and boosts the hair's strength and minimises the damaging effects of heat styling, dyeing, chemical manipulation, pollution and UV exposure.

Where can I find it?

You can find hydrolysed keratin in our Microstem Shampoo & Conditioner.

Saw Palmetto For Hair

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw Palmetto is a type of palm found in the southeast of the USA. The berries that the plant produces are commonly used to prevent hair loss and balance hormone levels.

How does it work?

Saw Palmetto is thought to help in blocking the activity of 5-alpha reductase (5α-R), an enzyme that converts testosterone into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone is widely thought to cause premature hair loss by shrinking the hair follicles. Some studies have seen noticeable improvements to hair growth after the introduction of saw palmetto.

Where can I find it?

Saw Palmetto is available to purchase and take in supplement form.

In our products, you can find Saw Palmetto in Cel’s Microstem Shampoo and Conditioner which both work to prevent hair loss, promote new hair growth, and strengthen and thicken existing hair. It’s also located in Cel’s Hair Thickening Mask which is designed to strengthen and smooth dry, damaged, and frizz-prone hair.

Glycerin For Hair

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin is an odourless and colourless liquid that is usually derived from vegetable oils. It's a humectant, which means it attracts and pulls water in!

How does it work?

This powerful, non-toxic sugar compound works as a moisture sponge to keep our scalp and hair hydrated, whilst preventing skin irritation and promoting hair growth.

Where can I find it?

Glycerin cannot be ingested.

Glycerin can be found in our Microstem Shampoo & Conditioner and our Hair Thickening Mask which deeply conditions and nourishes the hair and scalp.

Ginseng For Hair

What is Ginseng?

Ginseng is a fleshy fork-rooted plant. It’s a popular botanical, known for its ability to conquer so many ailments, in particular its promotion of hair growth and quality. It’s thought to support an increase in hair growth, prevent hair from greying, improve the condition of the scalp, reduce dandruff, and support hair reparation.

How does it work?

It’s believed that Ginseng can regulate hormones, specifically testosterone. Testosterone is located in both the male and female body and contributes to hair growth. Every day, the body converts 10% of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to help maintain muscle mass and promote fertility.

If your body is making too much DHT though, it can cause your hair follicles to shrink and their growth cycle to shorten meaning the hair becomes thinner and more brittle, and can cause it to fall more rapidly. Excess DHT can also make it take longer for new hair to grow.

Ginseng naturally regulates the body’s circulation, and it may also contribute to an increase in human hair dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), which are the cells in charge of regulating hair growth.

Where can I find it?

Ginseng can be found in herbal teas, or you can stew it in water yourself to make a drink. You can also eat it raw or lightly steam it to soften it. You can also cook ginseng for a long time to make stocks for soups.

Ginseng can be found in nearly all of our products because we know its benefits for hair are unparalleled! You can find Ginseng in Cel's best-selling Microstem Shampoo & Conditioner and Microstem Hair Thickening Mask, as well as in our excellent leave-in Re:Gen Repair Serum.

You will also find Ginseng in our strengthening Nail Serum. 

Skinhairgium ® Bio For Hair

What is Skinhairgium ® Bio?

Maca is a plant that's revered for its medicinal properties and grows in fragile soils. It's one of the very rare plants able to survive in the extreme climatic conditions common on the high Andean plateaux. It is commonly called "Peruvian ginseng" for its energising properties.

Skinhairgium ® Bio is a concentrate of active molecules obtained from an enzyme hydrolysis of Maca powder, a process that protects both people and the environment.

How do they work?

Obtained directly from ground maca root in Peru, this natural plant extract stimulates key factors activating the anagen (hair growth) stage, thus boosting hair growth.

Where can I find it?

You can find Skinhairgium ® Bio in our renowned Microstem Shampoo & Conditioner duo that work to cleanse and hydrate the scalp and create the optimal environment for healthy hair growth.

Argan Oil For Hair

What is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the Argan tree, endemic to Morocco. It’s naturally loaded with Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, Omega 6 and is an antioxidant, making it a natural moisturiser and hair protector.

How does it work?

When applied topically to hair, it rehydrates the strands and thus increases your mane’s elasticity and vitality. When the hair is well hydrated, it’s less susceptible to damage, breakage, and splitting.

Where can I find it?

Culinary argan oil can be purchased in food stores, and it provides a very nutty taste when cooked with. You can buy cosmetic argan oil from most beauty retailers.

In our products, you can find Argan Oil in Cel’s Re:Gen Repair Serum. The specialised repair and protect serum is designed to promote the long-term strength of your hair, and maintain healthy-looking locks. This amazing serum not only helps to repair hair that has been harmed, but also provides protection from colour and/or heat damage, and daily environmental stressors.

Lactic Acid For Hair

What is Lactic Acid?

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that has been used for thousands of years because of its rejuvenating properties. Lactic acid is an exfoliant and is also thought to stimulate collagen and elastin production making it essential for hair health and appearance.

How does it work?

Lactic acid helps relax and smooth the hair’s structure, making your locks more manageable. Lactic acid strips the hair of dirt, pollutants, and products without stripping it of the much-needed moisture. This allows for easier detangling, and protects the hair against heat styling tools.

Where can I find it?

Lactic acid is naturally found in milk, though the lactic acid in today's beauty products is synthetically produced.

You can find Lactic acid in Cel’s vegan friendly Re:Gen Repair Serum which supports a healthy hair structure, protects hair from damage and promotes the reparation of hair strands. 

Final Thoughts

Here at Cel, we are dedicated to optimising natural ingredients through pioneering scientific methods, creating hair and skin products that work. We invest in the science behind hair care, which is why we use all of the above ingredients in our products.

Join our hair care revolution and find your next go-to product from our range now!