The A-Z of our hair care ingredients

Fresh, natural ingredients are a superb way to give your hair some TLC. Here’s a handy guide on how to pick the best ingredients to suit your hair’s needs and keep it looking and feeling magnificent!

Agar agar gel

There needn’t be oceans between you and silken hair, begin a seaweed love affair. Agar agar is the gel which comes from drying out a type of seaweed known as agarophyte. When added to boiling water, this creates a rich gel which leaves hair incredibly soft. You’ll find this oil-free agent in lighter conditioners such as zesty Veganese and restorative Retread, where it coats each strand without weighing your hair down. Conditioned locks will be plain sailing, so wave hello to a magnificently soft mane which still retains bounce and volume.

Almond milk

Get your daily dose with rich almond milk, full of vitamin E to help moisturise the hair and add shine and softness. In haircare products, this reparative ingredient strengthens every strand, helps to protect your tresses from further breakage and can even slow the natural hair fall process. Almond milk can be found in floral Happy Happy Joy Joy, a beautifully lightweight, yet hydrating and conditioning hair perfume. Strong, resplendent locks await you.

Aquafaba

The elegant name given to chickpea water, aquafaba is a replacement for eggs. Lush went egg free in March 2019, but lucky for us aquafaba shares similar properties to egg whites, including consistency and benefits. It also protects and strengthens fine hair, making it a great addition to H’suan Wen Hua, a deep conditioning hair treatment that also cleanses the scalp.

Argan oil

Embellish each hair strand in sumptuously rich argan oil. Celebrated in haircare, this luxurious ingredient comes from the kernels of the argan tree. In Morocco, the women’s cooperative ‘Ifrawnlhna’ works together to remove the outer shell of the argan kernels, pressing the nuts to produce litres of this restorative oil. Argan oil is rich in nutrients like vitamin E which can help to maintain a healthy scalp and stimulate healthy hair growth. Moisturising from root to tip, it gives shine to the hair and helps ease flyaways for a sleek finish. This beautiful ingredient can be found in Curl Power, a beautiful hair moisturiser to style afros and curls. 

Avocado butter

Like avocado on toast? You’ll like it even more on your hair! Avocado butter is an all- round winner when it comes to haircare. Jam-packed with vitamin A to help the hair follicles produce a healthy amount of sebum, vitamin B to assist the absorption of essential nutrients, vitamin C, one of the most effective vitamins to help locks grow healthy and vitamin E, effective at increasing blood flow to the scalp for stronger, happier tresses. Protecting the hair strands from damage, this brilliant ingredient delivers nutrients to the very ends of the hair, locking in moisture by sealing the cuticles. You’ll find this beneficial butter in Revive hair moisturiser, a rich cream made of a blend of glorious butters and oils to add moisture and shine.

Bananas

Bananas will save you from future hair dramas. These fibrous fruits contain strengthening potassium and vitamin B to improve the hair’s elasticity and prevent breakage. Used in H'suan Wen Hua hair treatment, protect and deeply condition to give your hair higher power and lasting lustre. As if that wasn’t enough, they also smell delicious too.

Beeswax

When time is tight, hair products full of beeswax are an easy bee-sy way to lock in moisture to each hair strand. Deeply moisturising, this exquisite ingredient can keep hair and scalp happy, soothing any irritation and smoothing. Said to naturally stimulate hair growth, beeswax can slow the hair fall process and protect strands from damage for more durability. Luxurious beeswax can be found in Fairly Traded Honey, a lavish shampoo with lashings of Fair Traded honey for glistening locks.

Cade oil

Console and calm your scalp with aromatic and woody cade oil. Used since the 19th century as a treatment for skin and scalp, this antiseptic, antimicrobial and fungicidal oil can soothe and balance the scalp and has a dark, smoky scent. You’ll find it in Soak And Float: a scalp-focused shampoo bar with a heady, yet sweet scent, made to calm the skin and get your scalp back in tip top condition.

Cinnamon Leaf Oil

Renown for its rich, woody and spicy aroma, Cinnamon leaf oil is just the ticket for stimulating blood flow and warming up the scalp. You'll find it in New shampoo bar, where it seeks to boost volume and shine in hair that might be feeling a little limp. 

Cocoa butter

Should you coco? Oh yes. Deeply moisturising, cocoa butter has long been prized for its moisturising properties and will leave hair smooth, sleek and easy to manage. For a quick, travel-friendly option, try Angel Hair, a heaven-sent (and heavenly scented) shampoo bar made to gently cleanse and soften.

Ethyl Macadamiate

Often used as an alternative to silicones, this natural ingredient protects hair from heat and humidity without weighing it down. Made up of fatty acids, such as oleic acid, ethyl macadamiate is also softening for the hair. Pick up Glory, a rich, intensive conditioner that will moisturise your hair from root to tip.

Extra virgin olive oil

It’s no secret that olive oil is pretty famous in the hair world. Used in many Lush formulas, it contains some of the most powerful antioxidants in the world and can strengthen the hair. This clever ingredient helps give a sleek appearance to your ‘do, while improving shine and locking in moisture. Lush buy extra virgin grade because its extraction process preserves the most nutrients. If you’re looking for a plant-powered leave-in conditioner, that is particularly perfect for afro hair, pick up Super Milk conditioning spray. Not only does it protect hair during heat styling, it also provides weightless moisture to the driest of manes.

Green olives

Build stronger hair with the help of green olives. Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids and antioxidants, these juicy fruits are superbly rich and moisturising for the hair. Used in Montalbano shampoo bar to improve the tensile strength and elasticity of the hair strands, green olives protect against damage, meaning hair is less likely to snap when you brush. Go on, flex your hair muscles!

Henna

Hair loves henna! From the Lawsonia inermis tree, this universal product can not only be used as a natural dye, it can also be used as an addition to hair moisturisers and conditioners. For colour, the leaves of the tree are dried and powdered, then used in addition with other natural dyes to alter the shade. Alternatively, a smaller amount can be used as a conditioning agent in treatments, coating the hair strands with a protective film to give them shine, whilst adding body and enhancing natural highlights, without colour. This can be found in Jasmine And Henna, a pre-wash treatment which adds a dazzling amount of shine.

Honey

For soft and moisturised locks, choose products that contain honey. A natural humectant, it helps hair to attain and lock in moisture while its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities work to cleanse and calm at the same time. We source our fairly traded honey from Zambia where it’s produced by wild bees. Farmers are paid a fair price and support an environmentally stable supply chain that enables them to sell their honey to Lush. We use this gorgeous ingredient in Honey I Washed My Hair shampoo bar for the softest, sweetest hair.

Irish moss

Protein-packed and full of vitamins and minerals, Irish moss is a hair enhancing seaweed armed with the tools to give you magnificent locks. When combined with water, it forms a gel that coats the hair, strengthening it and delivering wow-factor shine while providing products with a luxurious texture. Working with sea salt in the solid shampoo bar Seanik, Irish moss gently cleanses the hair and soothes the scalp for satiny, carefree hair which is full of body and vibrance.

Jojoba oil

From the seeds of the jojoba shrub comes jojoba oil, a lightweight oil that protects hair from breakage and helps speed up hair growth by delivering moisture to each strand and cleansing the follicles of excess sebum (skin’s natural oil). Jojoba oil makes hair more manageable, strengthens, brings brilliant shine and moisturises deeply without weighing it down, as seen in Retread, a restorative pitstop for hair, where jojoba oil restores moisture.

Kiwi juice

Enzymic kiwi helps to cleanse away excess oil without drying out the hair. High in the minerals zinc, magnesium and phosphorous which help to boost blood circulation to the hair follicles, kiwi strengthens hair from the roots and adds shine by flattening the hair cuticles so that they reflect more light. Additionally, vitamin C supports the scalp in absorbing nutrients, while vitamin E can help to repair damaged hair follicles, promoting growth. Used in Rehab shampoo, citrusy kiwi refreshes your tresses to leave them squeaky clean. Just a squeeze of kiwi makes glossy hair a breeze.

Lavender

Aside from its bewitching scent, lavender is also brilliant at working in harmony with your hair’s needs. Balancing sebum production, it can increase blood flow to the scalp, helping to feed the roots of the hair; the first step towards healthy hair growth. Additionally, dreamy lavender has a calming effect on the mind, helping to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. If you’re in search of a lightweight conditioner, try Veganese on for size, this gentle conditioner will ensure your locks stay bouncy and delivers plenty of TLC to the scalp.

Lemon

A lemon twist may just be what your hair has missed. Lemons are full of vitamin C, which makes them a great natural cleanser. They will gently remove excess oil without stripping your hair of the good stuff it needs to stay looking great. What’s more, lemons are astringent, which means they encourage the hair cuticles to flatten and reflect more light, giving you shinier hair. This citrus fruit is also used as a natural way to lighten and brighten fair hair. A squeeze of lemon helps bring maximum shine in Big, a shine-enhancing shampoo that will really pump up your hair’s volume.

Linseed gel

Packed with essential vitamins and minerals that are fundamental to happy hair, linseed is both protective and highly moisturising. Vitamin E helps to maintain a balanced scalp, while vitamin C helps increases collagen production which promotes healthy hair growth. High in omega-3 fatty acids and rich in protein, linseed works to strengthen each strand and leave it glossy and hydrated. Try products like Curl Power to see just how beautifully linseed infusion calms the scalp and protects the hair from damage.

Mango juice

Enzymic mango juice helps to cleanse the scalp and hair, improving shine by smoothing the hair cuticles down so that they reflect more light. With a sunny and uplifting scent, mango juice has a cleansing and refreshing effect, leaving you with radiant tresses. It gives hair some bounce, while vitamins E and B12 can help to stimulate hair growth and improve tensile strength. Used in Rehab, a deeply cleansing shampoo with a seriously fruity scent, it works to cleanse away excess oil for magnificent shine.

Neroli oil

Toning and calming for the scalp and hair, neroli is renowned for its fine, sunny fragrance. It is a luxurious oil that is very popular in aromatherapy for its ultimate mood-boosting effect. Lift your hair and your spirits with a spritz of Sea Spray, a fresh and floral hair mist that’ll help encourage those beachy waves.

Nettle

Don't worry, although you may think of itchy rashes when someone says nettle, it actually has a balancing effect on the scalp, encouraging new hair growth and helping to reduce hair loss. Lather up with New shampoo bar, where nettle partners up with tingly peppermint infusion to boost blood flow to the roots and stimulate your hair follicles.   

Oat milk

While making yourself a delicious cuppa, add a splash of oat milk to your hair routine to leave your mane feeling soft and supreme. This dreamy ingredient is packed with vitamins A, B and E to keep those locks strong and healthy. It also contains beta-gluten which forms a fine, protective film on the hair and penetrates each strand to deeply moisturise. Oat milk is particularly beneficial for afro hair and a key ingredient in Revive: a beautifully rich moisturiser that will butter-up a thirsty afro and soothe the scalp.

Peppermint oil

Invigorating peppermint has high menthol content to boost circulation, stimulate the hair follicles and leave your scalp feeling tingly-fresh. It’s also naturally astringent which helps to regulate the scalp’s oil production and can disrupt the hair fall cycle, meaning hair is retained within the scalp for a longer period. Pack on a treatment like Roots to really feel the benefits of this cooling, stimulating herb and give your scalp a thorough MOT.

Pineapple juice

Give your hair and scalp a tropical kiss with enzymatic pineapple juice. When used in shampoos such as Rehab, pineapple juice deeply cleanses and refreshes the scalp, as well as adding shine to the hair.

Rose oil

With a delicate and sweet fragrance, rose oil can be used to balance and soothe the scalp as well as beautifully perfume the hair. Damask roses are picked at dawn in Senir, Turkey, where the oil is then extracted from the rose petals through a process of steam distillation. Try Valkyrie conditioner for a perfectly perfumed ‘do.

Rosemary infusion

Take your mind and scalp on a trip to Mediterranean gardens where the precious rosemary herb blooms. This dry herb can be added to boiling water to make an infusion that deeply cleanses the skin and improves circulation to the scalp. Its woody aroma also helps aid relaxation. To give your scalp a really deep clean, opt for Jumping Juniper: a reviving blend of rosemary, lemon and lime to cleanse and impart shine.

Saffron infusion

Embrace the golden tones in your hair with the most expensive spice in town. With its honey-sweet aroma, saffron infusion helps to enhance lighter notes in the hair, meaning it’s great for those with blonde or grey hair. This exotic ingredient can be found in Marilyn, a light, pre-wash treatment that boosts your inner bombshell by brightening your locks and banishing brassiness.

Sea salt

For beachy waves all year round why not make a match with sea salt? Coarse sea salt is packed with minerals that occur naturally in sea water and will soften your hair leaving it fuller and bouncier. Additionally, it’s full of nutrients to keep your hair and scalp looking and feeling healthy. Hand harvested sea salt, which can be found in Wasabi Shan Kui shampoo, also helps to combat the effects of soft water (which can leave hair flat) and promote a shiny, voluptuous, mermaid mane.

Silken tofu

Another seriously great replacement for eggs, silken tofu has a high protein content and heaps of vitamins, making it fantastic for moisturising and improving the condition for the hair. Blending seamlessly into products like H'suan Wen Hua, this ingredient supports the divine effects of the hair treatment.

Soya lecithin

This fatty acid occurs naturally in soybeans. Lecithin helps to soften your hair, while also encouraging the absorption of other ingredients, leaving you with a happy, healthy mane. Soya lecithin helps flatten hair cuticles to give a smoother appearance to hair, making it a fantastic antistatic. It can be found in products like The Golden Cap, a shimmering solid conditioner that leaves your hair bouncy but smooth. 

Sweet orange oil

To revitalise the hair, why not choose a product packed with sweet orange oil? Its uplifting fragrance will leave your hair smelling fresh and zesty. This cheerful ingredient also has enzymic, cleansing effects on the scalp. Honey I Washed My Hair is a honey-rich shampoo bar oozing with orange oil to give vibrancy and gloss to the hair.

Toothed wrack seaweed

Toothed wrack seaweed from Poole Harbour, Dorset, is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals that form a protective barrier on the hair, helping to retain moisture. Found in Big solid conditioner, it lightly coats and hydrates the hair without weighing it down, meaning you can turn up the volume.

Vetivert oil

Not only a grounding essential oil for the mind, vetivert oil has a reviving effect on the scalp and encourages cell regeneration. You’ll find this deliciously earthy and smoky perfume in Big solid conditioner, designed to leave your tresses bouncier and textured. 

Violet leaf absolute

Perfume your hair with sweet, grassy-green violet notes to really turn heads. Violet’s antiseptic qualities make it a magnificent refresher for the scalp in Retread, a protein-packed conditioner that strengthens hair.

Wheatgerm oil

The best thing since sliced bread, wheatgerm oil is rich in linoleic acid which helps the skin to retain moisture and anti-inflammatory vitamin E which soothes the scalp. This wholesome ingredient can be found in Jasmine And Henna, a hair treatment that helps tame your mane by adding body, shine and strength.

Ylang ylang

A sweet, heady oil extracted from the flowers of the ylang ylang plant, this luxurious ingredient gives a rich, sensual perfume to the hair and has a balancing effect on the skin and scalp. Try it in Angel Hair shampoo bar, where its effects include gently stimulating and toning your hair. 

With nature's help, your hair is set to look and feel sublime, whether wash day is approaching or you’ve just had a bouncy blow! Explore our full haircare range here.