Natural vs Conventional

**TeaAndSketches** · August 13th, 2018, 06:29 PM

Do you have a preference over natural or conventional products? If you prefer one or the other, what is your reason?

**LittleHealthy** · August 13th, 2018, 06:47 PM

I use a bit of both...

**Messyhair** · August 13th, 2018, 06:48 PM

I like a natural product if it's readily purchased. I'm too lazy to make my own from natural ingredients.

**JennGalt** · August 13th, 2018, 07:51 PM

Natural seems to work a lot better for me. Sulfates = breakage for me and my hair has never survived past CBL while using them. Even before my flatiron addiction days. I hate the gummy buildup I get from ‘cones. My hair loves oils commonly found in the kitchen, and coconut milk is a HG for me. I still buy some conditioners, but I am very picky about ingredients and won’t buy anything that isn’t cruelty free. If pressed to choose between conventional products and never using store bought products again, I’d pick the option that doesn’t involve all my hair breaking off.

**Sarahlabyrinth** · August 14th, 2018, 01:08 AM

I just use conventional products. I'm too lazy to bother with much else and my hair likes it well enough.

**illicitlizard** · August 14th, 2018, 03:22 AM

Both! I'm not motivated enough to try and make my own haircare recipes but I still use oils and relatively 'natural' (what does that even mean) commercially produced haircare (no SLS, no silicones). Whatever works for what I'm going for is what I'm gonna use, no real preference one way or the other.

**pailin** · August 14th, 2018, 04:35 AM

Yes, 'natural' tends to be relative.
I use sulfates and cones and mineral oil, because my hair likes them. I also use some oils. But pretty much anything that comes in a shampoo or conditioner bottle is going to be basically factory - processed stuff, whether we want to call those things natural or not.

**TatsuOni** · August 14th, 2018, 05:58 AM

As natural as possible.

**nycelle** · August 14th, 2018, 06:02 AM

I just prefer whatever works with a few exceptions. No sulfates for me (scalp irritation), and no protein, or specific proteins low on the ingredient list. I'll do a protein treatment when I think my hair needs it, I don't want it in my products.
Other than that, I have no preference.

**MusicalSpoons** · August 14th, 2018, 06:40 AM

Whatever works best within my budget! At the moment I'm using a naturally-inspired(!) shampoo, conventional conditioner, and a natural oil in my hair routine.

I'd really love to go no-poo or WO but I don't have the time, energy, or financial resources to attempt no-poo; and my hair and water will not let me go WO. I guess I would count myself as preferring 'as natural as possible' but in my current circumstances, that's not very natural at all!