Following on from previous posts on volumizing conditioners and on fragrance-free conditioners, here are some MI / MCI-free conditioning options specifically for damaged, dry or coloured hair … Products mostly available worldwide, unless stated.
Attitude Color Protection Conditioner (Canada and US) (355ml)
Straightforward ingredients and gently preserved – but if you have food allergies take care, as both soya and wheat derivatives are used in this product. Advertises itself as carcinogen free — free from 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.
Ecostore Dry, Damaged & Colour Care Conditioner (Australia / NZ) (220ml)
Free from silicones and parabens as well as MI, this conditioner is preserved with phenoxyethanol. Its fragrance is given as bergamot and orange, and it appears to contains a fair number of natural essential oils. Unusually for a conditioner, it is free from wheat / gluten, and it is also vegan. (For NZ, click here.)
Green People Intensive Repair Conditioner (200ml)
Another wheat/gluten-free formulation, also boasting high level of essential oils, and enriched with jojoba and avocado. Gentle preservation. Can also be used as a hair mask.
JASON Color Protect Henna Conditioner (454g)
Made for colour-treated hair, this contains henna extract, as well as wheat proteins to condition, thicken and enhance hair. Also contains silicones, though, which some consumers prefer to avoid. Ideal for all coloured hair — but especially so for those who use natural vegetable rinses and dyes, which feature henna and ingredients such as indigo.
JASON Restorative Biotin Conditioner (454g)
This is one of the better-regarded JASON haircare products, which aims to repair and restore health to damaged hair. It seems to do particularly well with women who experience problems with tangled hair. It does contain dimethicone, not widely seen as a ‘natural’ ingredient, and used to increase gloss / ‘slip’ to the hair, but it is very low down in the ingredients, which suggests little of it present. Other ingredients include a mix of waxy alcohols and botanicals, and a broad selection of preservatives — although none of which our familiar foes.
Lavera Repair & Care Conditioner for dry / damaged hair (UK) (200ml)
Good wheat-free option, which very unusually uses pea protein to help strengthen, hydrate, and nourish dry and damaged hair. Vegan friendly, and free from silicones, mineral oils, artificial fragrances, preservatives and colours, and GMO ingredients. (Use ALLERGY15 at Suvarna’s website for 15% off.)
Maple Holistics Silk 18 Sulfate Free Treatment for Dry and Damaged Hair (236ml)
The #1 best-selling conditioner on Amazon US, this very popular and highly successful product harnesses 18 silk protein amino acids to condition and rebuild hair’s gloss and shine, and is enriched with jojoba and argan oils and shea butter, as well as other botanicals. Fragranced only with natural vanilla, it is free from MI, sulfates, artificial fragrance or colour. Preserved with phenoxyethanol and potassium sorbate. Vegetarian but not vegan due to the silk.
Pura d’Or Lavender and Vanilla Healing Conditioner (473ml)
Uses coconut-based proteins rather than the wheat-based proteins so many conditioners use, making this another good gluten-free option. Brand is hypoallergenic, parabens free, artificial-fragrance free. Color safe. (Scalp / hair loss therapy products also available in the range.)
Weleda Oat Replenishing Conditioner (200ml)
Oat and wheat-containing natural conditioner, specifically for dry and damaged hair. Silicone-free and suitable for vegans. Fragranced with cedar wood oil, mimosa and tonka bean.
There are loads of affordable high street brands with varieties that are MI free too, bit more accessible for some too.
I’ll submit a list when it’s longer!
Thanks – please do! I’m short of high street recommendations.
Thanks! I recently found out about my MI allergy and had to change several products including my shampoo. I’m using the Attitude product right now with pretty good results. Looking forward to a longer list. FYI – my stylist uses Socolor by Matrix for my hair color and it appears to be MI free (according to ingredients list).
Thanks Emily – this one? – http://www.matrix.com/hair-color/socolor
Seem to be quite a few products to check and no ingredients on site, so I’ll drop them a line.
Yes – hope to add to the list / brands. A few to whom I’ve sent enquiries have not yet responded. Understandably, the smaller brands often respond quickly and efficiently, while the bigger ones can drag their heels …
Thank you for your list. I’ve just found out I’m allergic to MI and ordered one line of products and do not like them. I had used Nexus for years and loved it but of course, it contains MI… would love to see your longer list.. thanx for info
Hi Sue. I don’t have a longer list, sorry – not quite sure what you’re referring to? Links to other hair products articles given here: https://mi-free.com/cosmetics/hair-products/
Best wishes, Alex.
Hi Alex, thanks for a really informative website which I have just found. I have recently become highly allergic to MC, MI & Formaldehyde. Do you have any recommendations for affordable brands of cosmetics, hair products & household cleaners etc without Formaldehyde please? Apologies as it seems like a big ask & if it’s somewhere on the website which I haven’t yet found.
Thanxamillion! Carol
Most of the brands which describe themselves as ‘natural’ would also be formaldehyde free. In fact, I suspect very few of the brands listed in the Directories on the mi-free.com site have any formaldehyde releasers in them. Which country are you in?
Thanks Alex. I’m in the UK & am struggling to find products (without MI, MCI or Formaldehyde) which don’t trigger a reaction – even some of the baby products do. I particularly struggle with makeup, lipsticks seem to be a total no-no & make up removers seem particularly problematic.
Kind regards, Carol
Sorry for the delay, Carol. Most of the products listed in the resources on the site are formaldehyde-free too, so I suspect there could be another issue – perhaps fragrance? – that underlies the reactions. It’s difficult to know or guess. Make-up removers … could be alcohol? My other website Allergy Insight has an article on ‘allergen free skincare’ (although nothing is really allergen free), which may help. Here it is: https://www.allergy-insight.com/allergen-free-skincare/
Also NATorigin do ‘extreme tolerance’ make up which may be worth trying? I know the people who run it personally and they are very helpful – http://www.natorigin.co.uk
Very many thanks for your advice Alex.
Kind regards
Carol