VEGAMOUR Ingredients: What We Put In Our Products — And What We Leave Out
You limit your coffee and alcohol intake, strive to buy organic produce and exercise regularly. Although it can feel like you’re doing everything in your power to live a healthy lifestyle, you could be ignoring a major component of your health: what you’re putting on your body.
At VEGAMOUR, we set out to create the world’s most powerful and effective hair wellness products without any known toxins, harmful ingredients or side effects. Not only did we achieve amazing results with our lash, brow and hair serums, but in many cases, our cruelty-free, plant-based formulas outperformed competitors.
Read on to find out how our natural ingredients work, what we leave out and why — so you can choose the best VEGAMOUR products for your hair.
VEGAMOUR Ingredients: Phyto-Actives That Deliver
While we’ve made hundreds of thousands of friends around the globe since our 2016 launch, many people still don’t realize the benefits of choosing plant-based hair products.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best ingredients featured in some of your favorite hair wellness products from VEGAMOUR. You can find a complete ingredients list on any product page.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been used for hundreds of years as a natural treatment for burns, cuts, insect bites and skin irritation because of its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. Aloe vera can support your hair and scalp by reducing inflammation, imparting moisture and providing a suite of hair-friendly vitamins and minerals such as C, E and B-12 — and that’s why it’s made our cut.
Found In: HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
Caffeine
Caffeine is another familiar daily stimulant that has a bit of a bad rap. In the case of hair wellness, studies do suggest that caffeine applied topically to the scalp may help prevent thinning hair. Plus, there are additional benefits to be had from sources of caffeine. For example, although we call the coffee we grind into our daily mug of joe "beans," they are actually cherries or berries in botanical terms. And like other berries (especially dark berries like blueberries and blackberries), they are full of antioxidants, which can help fight off the damage done by free radicals, including those in UV.
Found In: GRO Hair Serum, GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum and GRO AGELESS Anti-Gray Hair Serum
Curcumin Stem Cell Extract
Derived from turmeric, this powerful ingredient has literally been used for centuries as a cell-stimulating element in the ancient Ayurveda practice of India — a system that balances the dosha, or energetic fields, for optimum wellness. It has been shown in clinical studies to help prevent causes of hair loss by inhibiting DHT production and supporting IGF-1 and BMP4 production.
Found In: GRO Hair Serum and GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum
Fo-Ti
Fo-ti (Polygonum multiflorum) is a perennial herb native to China that has long been used as a traditional medicine for a wide variety of symptoms and conditions, including for restoring hair color and improving hair growth. While there has not been a lot of research looking specifically at Fo-ti’s effect on hair, one study published in 2013 found that a specific compound in Polygonum multiflorum caused rapid reproduction of dermal papilla cells and increased hair-fiber length significantly. There’s also research that indicates that Fo-ti could help combat premature graying.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Anti-Gray Hair Serum
GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important chemical in the brain that works to reduce a nerve cell’s ability to send and receive messages. As a supplement, GABA is used to lower stress and anxiety and help folks sleep better. Because stress and lack of sleep can have unpleasant effects on our health (and our hair!), GABA is another tool we can add to the toolkit of phyto-active ingredients we include in our products to support hair wellness.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Gray Delay™ Hair Supplement
Glycoproteins
Glycoproteins are a type of protein produced and found throughout our bodies, where they play a role in both skin and hair health and may offer a variety of anti-aging benefits. As a type of peptide, glycoproteins contain sugars and amino acids that help strengthen and smooth hair fiber while balancing the skin’s natural barrier. Glycoproteins also help other peptides to be more readily available to our skin—and you’ll find both in our graying hair collection.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Anti-Gray Hair Serum
Karmatin™
Say goodbye to animal-based keratin and say hello to Karmatin™, a vegan protein and keratin substitute synthesized in the lab from b-silk™. It's a product that defines biomimicry, copying the strength and elasticity of the silk spun by the orb-weaver spider (a variety of the big yellow-and-black spiders you may have seen in a garden, field or forest).
This silk is literally stronger than steel, and it wraps every strand in a stretchy, tensile shield to prevent breakage and keep hair glossy. And, unlike keratin, Karmatin™ is microencapsulated, so it fills in every nook and cranny of the hair's surface, smoothing and strengthening until the next shampoo. It's instant good karma for your hair, and it's even kind to spiders.
Found In: VEGAMOUR Shampoos & Conditioners
Keranat™
Developed by French biologists and grown in the beautiful Loire Valley, Keranat™ is a novel microencapsulated ingredient that is derived from the grain millet. It works to support the healthy functioning of the dermal papilla, the “engine” of hair growth within a hair follicle.
Keranat™ has been shown to balance hair’s life cycle, decrease shedding and strengthen strands, which is just why it’s a perfect addition to our hair wellness-driven and VEGAMOUR- approved ingredients list.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Gray Delay™ Hair Supplement
L-Theanine
If you’ve heard about the many health benefits of green tea, you can look to L-theanine as a key component of those benefits. L-theanine is an amino acid that you’ll also find in black tea and in some mushrooms, too. It’s available as a supplement that people take to help relieve stress and anxiety and aid in relaxation. Some studies have also found that it could support better focus and immune function. Since optimal health and reduced stress can have great carry-over effects on your hair, L-theanine is a welcome addition to our hair wellness toolkit.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Gray Delay™ Hair Supplement
Magnolia Bark Extract
Magnolia bark is another ancient supplement that has been a staple in traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese medicines. Magnolia bark contains over 200 chemical compounds, many of which are being investigated for their health benefits. Recent research has looked at a handful of these phyto-actives for their anti-cancer, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective (liver protecting) benefits. And guess what? All of these benefits may support a healthier scalp!
Found In: HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
Marula Oil
At VEGAMOUR, we’ve been big fans of marula oil from the beginning. Not only can it help support healthier, shinier locks, but it has a variety of other health and beauty benefits for your skin. Marula oil is rich in protein and easily absorbed, making it an all-star when it comes to scalp care and hair hydration. It’s also a rich source of amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidants to support general hair wellness.
Found In: HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask and Hydrate and Repair Conditioner
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is often used as a supplement to support digestive and kidney health. Primarily thanks to the flavonoid silymarin, milk thistle has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that could provide protection for your locks, too. And, thanks to its high linoleic fatty acid content, milk thistle can help smooth and condition hair. Initial research also suggests that a metabolite of milk thistle may help support hair growth.
Found In: HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask
Mung Bean
Yes, these are the same crunchy, pale green shoots you love to load into your salad. Mung bean is reported to strengthen the hair follicle's ability to stay put and resist premature shedding. Mung beans contain copper, an essential element for a healthy scalp and thick hair.
Found In: GRO Hair Serum and GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum
Murumuru Seed Butter
Murumuru is a variety of palm tree that’s native to the Amazon. The oil extracted from its seeds (which becomes semi-solid at room temperature, hence being called a butter) now competes with other beauty staples like coconut and shea butters for its multitasking benefits for hair and skin. Thanks to its high lauric acid content, murumuru butter can effectively penetrate the hair shaft, making it an effective moisturizer. Not only that, but it can protect the hair from UV and other environmental stressors.
Found In: HYDR-8 Leave-In Conditioner and HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
Peptides
Peptides are a large and diverse family of compounds that act as the building blocks for proteins such as collagen and elastin produced in the body—and let’s not forget about keratin, the protein from which your hair is made. Aside from supporting hair growth, peptides may also impact other hair wellness variables like color, strength and volume.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Anti-Gray Hair Serum, GRO Hair Serum and GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum
Red Clover
Red clover combats the negative effects of DHT, a byproduct of testosterone that increases during the natural aging process. DHT prevents nutrients from being absorbed by hair follicles, which causes them to shrink and eventually fall out. Red clover is a rich source of isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens, helping to prolong the anagen phase of the hair follicle's growth cycle. It also contains other beneficial nutrients, such as calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine and vitamin C.
Found In: GRO Hair Serum and GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Shampoos that create a sudsy lather are a hot topic among natural beauty aficionados. Lather is considered bad for hair due to the presence of potentially damaging sulfates. Instead, we use sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, derived from coconut. It produces a luxurious, mild lather that lifts surface impurities from the scalp, such as sebum and product buildup, yet won't fade out salon color or rough up the texture of your strands.
Found In: GRO Revitalizing Shampoo
5-HTP
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a compound that, when taken as a supplement, helps naturally increase serotonin levels and can support better sleep and reduced stress, boost mood and even reduce sugar cravings, among other benefits. As mentioned, sleep and stress management are essential for hair wellness, which is why it makes total sense for VEGAMOUR’s lineup of effective phyto-actives.
Found In: GRO AGELESS Gray Delay™ Hair Supplement
Ingredients We Never Use at VEGAMOUR
We believe the ingredients we don't use are just as important as the ingredients we do use. Here are some of the most important ingredients we intentionally leave out of VEGAMOUR formulations.
Never Used: Sulfates
Sulfates are found in mass-market shampoos, as well as body washes and dish soap to whip up a lather. Current science does suggest that earlier claims against these common ingredients may have been overstated, but we still prefer to go the botanical route.
You will never find these sulfates in our products:
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Ammonium laureth sulfate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Never Used: Minoxidil
For decades, this vasodilator has been a common treatment for male baldness. Today it’s available over the counter for both men and women as a hair loss treatment. Some male users applying a 5% topical application have complained of a broad array of unwanted side effects, ranging from brain fog to sexual dysfunction to panic attacks. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic also advises that minoxidil is not effective in restoring hair loss during postpartum shedding.
Read: The Major Difference Between VEGAMOUR and Minoxidil
Never Used: Finasteride
Finasteride treats male- and female-pattern baldness by lowering levels of DHT (a testosterone byproduct). This stops the hormone from attacking the hair follicles, slowing or eliminating hair loss. Because it targets DHT, it will not work for other forms of hair loss, such as hair loss due to chemotherapy, stress, medication or hypothyroidism. The Mayo Clinic advises that finasteride should not be used by post-menopausal women. Plus, it has a number of unwanted side effects.
Never Used: Keratin
This is a double-edged sword for us as hair culture devotees. The bottom line is that human hair is made of keratin. It's our basic form of protein and also comprises our toenails, fingernails, eyelashes and eyebrows.
Because we are human, the protein we manufacture is, by definition, an animal substance. But we've made it a priority to create 100% vegan and cruelty-free products, so the traditional animal keratin found in virtually all hair care products was never an option. And here's the cruelest irony: Keratin washes right off as soon as the hair is rinsed — an additional reason to take a hard pass in our book. We’re proud to offer our all-natural, vegan and proprietary equivalent, Karmatin™.
Never Used: Parabens
These preservatives have been deservedly outcast by the wellness community for the potential risks they pose, from breast cancer to contamination of coral reefs. Quite simply, parabens have been proven to be endocrine disruptors, meaning that they mess with both female and male hormones and reproductive health. Many studies in these areas are underfunded and inconclusive, but we've learned enough to conclude that we don't want to use them in our hair wellness products.
Never Used: Phthalates
Phthalates are known as plasticizers. They make shampoos "gel," and they make hair mousse fluffy and easy to spread. However, they may also pose threats to vitals like kidneys and lungs. The degree of risk is controversial, but the evidence is mounting that our daily exposure to phthalates in hundreds of forms, starting at birth, may contribute to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, lowered IQ scores, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues including autism spectrum syndromes, altered reproductive development and male fertility problems.
Never Used: Isopropyl Cloprostenate
This is a prostaglandin that alters the function and structure of your body. The Food & Drug Administration has issued warnings to other lash serum companies because this ingredient has never been approved by the FDA. Prostaglandin analogs carry serious side effects such as irritation, iris color change, inflammation and eye pressure changes. We never use this ingredient in our lash serums.
Never Used: Bimatoprost
Believe it or not, bimatoprost is the active ingredient in glaucoma medication. When it was discovered that lash growth was a side effect of using the medication, cosmetic companies created the cosmetic formulation of bimatoprost for consumer use. Side effects include blurred vision, eye and eyelid redness, eye burning or other discomforts and also permanent darkening of the iris.
Transparent Ingredients With You in Mind
Navigating the waters of the cosmetic industry as a consumer can be confusing and often misleading. Full ingredient lists are hard to find and harder to understand. We promise to be 100% transparent about what we put in our bottles so you can feel confident about what you use on your hair. Any questions? Just ask!
Read the latest VEGAMOUR reviews to see what our customers have to say.
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