In the pursuit of perfect hair, ingredients are everything, according to John Masters Organics.
Ask almost any hair stylist what you’re doing wrong and they’ll give you a range of answers: over-washing, under-washing, coloring, treating, weather, and genetics. But there’s one thing most professionals often don’t mention: your hair care ingredients.
When it comes to healthy hair and scalp, if you’re using waxy, chemical-laden products, you’re likely only making matters worse.
“Conventional hair brands don’t work as well because they are filled with toxic or filler ingredients that tend to mask the damage of hair, rather than actually resolve the problems at the source,” John Masters Organics senior manager Hailey Patterson, told Ethos via email.
“John Masters Organics is one of the only brands that can guarantee that our products are made of at least 70 percent organic ingredients,” she says.
Healthy scalp, healthy hair
And to further complicate our hair woes, most of us don’t offer our scalps the deep cleaning and care they need. Just like damaged hair, dry scalp comes about for any number of reasons — plus, some of the more common solutions we turn to can often make problems worse, stripping the scalp of its natural oils and damaging the hair along with it.
“Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp,” Patterson says. The company knows hair and scalp health — it has been formulating organic and clean hair care products for more than 25 years.
“The scalp is one of the most delicate microbiomes within your body and is constantly battling external and internal disruptions,” Patterson says. The company recently launched a range of scalp-focused products to treat dry scalp and hair.
“Our Scalp Purifying Serum helps to balance the pH levels within the scalp’s microbiome, helps heal unwanted scalp conditions, and prevents future disruptions to the scalp,” Patterson says. The Scalp Purifying Serum with Spearmint and Meadowsweet joins a Scalp Follicle Treatment, a Scalp Stimulating Shampoo with Spearmint & Meadowsweet, and a Nourishing Hair Mask with Rose and Apricot.
And like all of John Masters Organics products, the products are made from clean and organic ingredients.
Organic from the start
It’s a commitment that began in 1994 when the stylist wanted his work to mirror his own personal commitment to clean and healthy living. He was the first in the world to operate a “clean air” salon that kept damaging colorants and chemicals off the menu — he even banned hairspray.
It’s been more than 25 years since Masters began the unprecedented journey to bring quality organic ingredients to hair and beauty products. Every product the company sells contains at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
Organic does matter — it ensures a cleaner, purer product for the consumer that’s free from harsh synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Organic is also better for the farmworkers growing the crops, reducing their exposure to harmful chemicals. It’s also better for the soil, which plays a critical role in the fight against climate change. And organic growing methods mean less damaging run-off into waterways, less air pollution, and healthier ecosystems.
The industry has evolved in the decades since John Masters launched his range; there are more clean products available than ever before. Retailers like Sephora now earmark truly clean and green offerings.
But there are also products touting organic and natural ingredients when they are little more than conventional products masked with misleading marketing claims. And despite those lofty promises, those products don’t often deliver healthy results.
The company also bans more than 1,500 toxic ingredients. While the EU has banned tens of thousands of chemicals from personal care and household items, that’s not the case in the U.S. Only a handful of chemicals are banned here despite growing concerns over safety and efficacy.
“Using organic ingredients is a non-negotiable for the John Masters Organics brand. We use organic ingredients whenever and however possible to provide the best possible quality products,” Patterson says, noting it’s not just a certified organic label that the brand looks for, though. It’s the highest quality and the most beneficial techniques and uses.
“We cold press all of our oils to ensure the highest percentages of antioxidants in our products,” Patterson says.
“Certified organic ingredients have 60 percent more antioxidants than other non-organic ingredients. More antioxidants mean a more potent product, which means higher performance.”
Healthy hair care routine
To keep the scalp healthy, Patterson says it’s important to develop a healthy washing routine with regular exfoliating.
“Exfoliating and cleansing the scalp is just as important as cleansing your strands,” she says. Keeping up with regular trimmings will help your hair look better and healthier so you don’t overtreat it, which can damage the scalp. Using moisturizing treatments like hair masks regularly can help lock in hydration so you can embrace your natural styles and texture.
Patterson says the Nourishing Hair Mask with Rose & Apricot is made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients and cold-pressed essential oils for maximum benefits.
“Our hair mask not only hydrates, but cleanses and balances oil levels and production at the scalp,” she says. “Apricot oil is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and nutrients, which are not only essential for hydration, but also for long-term hair health.”
You don’t have to use John Masters Organics products, but Patterson says you do want to use high-quality, natural, and organic products. “Swapping from conventional drugstore products to natural/organic haircare can be scary and it may take some time for your hair to adjust,” she says. “However, with time your hair will return to its natural shine and texture.”
Shop the collection below.
Related on Ethos:
