Have You Noticed More Skin-Care Brands Are Launching Hair Products?

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  • These days, skin and hair care are no longer separate categories in beauty.
  • Many skin-care companies are using what they know about product development and ingredient formulation to address hair needs.
  • Brands like Sunday Riley, The Inkey List, Drunk Elephant, and more have launched hair products.

When it comes to beauty, many brands strategically pick where to aim their focus, whether that's skin, hair, makeup, nails, or fragrance. In most cases, the company spends years honing in how to make the best product for each need — an effective zit cream, a moisturizing conditioner, lip-plumping gloss, the works — putting time and effort into making its products stand out in that respected area. Recently, however, that notion has been turned on its head as more skin-care brands have decided to dabble in the hair space.

From The Inkey List to Drunk Elephant to, most recently, Augustinus Bader and Dr. Barbara Sturm, these formerly skin-care-only brands have created new products that are just for your hair. But the big question is: Do we as consumers trust skin-care brands in another area of expertise?

But the big question is, do we as consumers trust skin-care brands in another area of expertise?

In many ways, the expansion into this space makes sense. More consumers are understanding that every inch of your skin deserves the same attention and high-quality ingredients that your face does, even if it is the skin on the top of your head. While your scalp oftentimes takes a back seat when it comes to skin care, experts agree it should be treated in a similar manner. Dust, dirt, grime, and product build-up on the scalp can have a negative effect on the health of your hair in the same way it would your skin, meaning it needs the same kind of attention. If not cared for properly, scalp problems like flaking and itching, as well as blocked follicles and the formation of pimples, can occur just as they would on the face.

In addition, the increase in hair-care sales have skyrocketed in recent years, and even more so during the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the closure of many hair salons, people were forced to take care of their hair at home. Aside from the pandemic, sales have gone up in large part due to the demand of natural and organic ingredients in hair products. Consumers have realized that it's just as important to take care of all their skin, not just the skin on their face. Overall, skin-care brands that have broken into the hair space are using their knowledge of product development, skin concerns, and ingredient formulation to address hair needs. Taking care of your hair is just one small way of showing your body the love it deserves.

Check out a few of our favorites brands making the jump below.

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Augustinus Bader's Foray Into Hair Care
violetgrey.com

Augustinus Bader's Foray Into Hair Care

There's a lot of science behind Dr. Augustinus Bader's namesake skin-care brand — he is an established scientist and stem-cell pioneer, after all. Its patented ingredient TFC8 (a blend of amino acids and other synthesized molecules that occur naturally within the skin) has been touted by A-listers as the holy grail in skin care — with the hefty price tag to match.

Now, Bader is lending some of that science to a new category, launching a five-product range of formulations for your hair and scalp. Each one will include the TFC8 molecule, plus other ingredients to help support hair health, like the neem extract (an antibacterial) and L-arginine (an amino acid) in the Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil ($50).

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In addition to the TFC8, all of the products in the collection were sustainably sourced and formulated with bio-engineered clean ingredients. The Augustinus Bader The Shampoo and Conditioner ($55 for each), for example, contain hydrating Vitamin B5 and soothing botanical extracts.

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Consider the Augustinus Bader The Scalp Treatment ($80) like an intensive skin-care serum but for your scalp.

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For extra-damaged ends, the good doc recommends using the Augustinus Bader The Leave-in Hair Treatment ($50) two to three times a week. It's loaded with antioxidant neem extract and hydrating sunflower seed oil to simultaneously protect and repair breakage.

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The Ordinary's Foray Into Hair Care
sephora.com

The Ordinary's Foray Into Hair Care

As Instagram's buzziest, most affordable beauty brand, The Ordinary has garnered a cult following for its skin-care products that deliver without breaking the bank. That's what garnered lots of intrigue around its first (and so far, only) hair product, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density ($18), which promises to promote fuller, healthier hair.

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Drunk Elephant's Foray Into Hair Care
sephora.com

Drunk Elephant's Foray Into Hair Care

Drunk Elephant, the brand that brought us the beloved Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer and Baby Facial products, recently got into the hair space. While making the products for the line, Drunk Elephant tapped legendary hairstylist Chris McMillan to ensure that the collection contained the same innovation and excellence that it has applied to the making of its facial formulas. In addition, the Drunk Elephant hair line products are free of the same kind of sensitizing ingredients that are avoided in the skin-care line. There are no silicones, essential oils, or fragrances in any of the items, meaning that your hair can thrive the same way your skin does when you apply your favorite Drunk Elephant products to it.

The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub ($36) is made with an AHA/BHA acid blend that works to break down dead skin cells and buildup in the scalp. It gently exfoliates while making the scalp healthier and cleaner.

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This color-safe Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo ($25) removes product buildup without damaging hair or stripping it of color.

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Made with plant oils and butters, this Drunk Elephant Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner ($25) works to detangle and hydrate hair. It's also free of sulfates, silicones, essential oils, fragrance, dyes, and drying alcohols.

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The hydrating and detangling Drunk Elephant Wild Marula Tangle Spray ($25) makes hair manageable, shiny, and healthy.

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Dr. Barbara Sturm's Foray Into Hair Care
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Dr. Barbara Sturm's Foray Into Hair Care

Hollywood's go-to aesthetics doctor Barbara Sturm had already made a name for herself in the luxury skin-care sector with her namesake brand — with everyone from Hailey Bieber to POPSUGAR editors singing its praises — so it only makes sense she would want to extend her knowledge on all things skin to the scalp.

The first launch in the lineup is the Dr. Barbara Sturm Scalp Serum ($100), which uses a potent blend of hyaluronic acid, purslane (a plant extract), and panthenol (aka vitamin B-5) to hydrate, soothe, and protect the scalp.

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The Inkey List's Foray Into Hair Care
theinkeylist.com

The Inkey List's Foray Into Hair Care

Everybody loves The Inkey List for two reasons: it's affordable and transparent. Ingredients are listed clearly on the label, the packaging is simple, and you can't beat that price point — all factors of which are carrying over into the company's first foray into hair care. Like its facial products, the brand will be calling out individual ingredients that'll help you identify which is best for your particular hair type.

Take The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Hair Treatment ($10), for example: the ingredient known for its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water has been formulated to help combat dry hair.

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The same stuff you sprinkle in your smoothie is also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which is why you'll want to use The Inkey List Chia Seed Curl-Defining Hair Treatment ($8) whenever your coils need a little extra hydration.

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You know the ingredient, you love the ingredient, and now your hair-care routine can get acquainted with its dull-zapping properties with the The Inkey List Vitamin C Brightening Hair Treatment ($10).

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In the same way salicylic acid works to dissolve any gunk from your pores (and therefore, help prevent breakouts), this The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment ($12) uses the ingredient to exfoliate away any product buildup sitting on the surface of your scalp.

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Neutrogena's Foray Into Hair Care
walmart.com

Neutrogena's Foray Into Hair Care

Neutrogena recently stepped into the hair care category after debuting its new Healthy Scalp Hair-Care Collection in late July. The line has a variety shampoos and conditioners that are infused with skin-care ingredients in its own facial care products, like micellar water and hyaluronic acid, with the focus on creating a healthy scalp. Just like how you can address your skin needs like oily skin, breakouts, and dryness, you can now do the same with your hair products.

Made with micellar water, this Neutrogena Lightweight Shampoo For Sensitive Scalp ($9) cleanses ends without stripping them of moisture. It's ideal for those with sensitive scalps as it helps maintain the scalp's natural barrier.

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Nix dryness with the help of the Neutrogena Triple Moisture Professional Cream Lather Shampoo ($5). It provides intense moisture, leaving hair healthier and shinier than before.

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Made specifically for extra-dry, over-processed, and color-treated hair, this Neutrogena Triple Moisture Conditioner With Hydrating Olive, Meadowfoam, and Sweet Almond Extracts ($5) works wonders. It helps provide deep treatment to leave hair feeling soft, smooth, and manageable.

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Sunday Riley's Foray Into Hair Care
sephora.com

Sunday Riley's Foray Into Hair Care

With only one product on the market so far, the buzzy beauty brand Sunday Riley. is taking small steps into the large world of hair. The Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum ($48) is a rinse-off scalp treatment that includes ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acid, witch hazel, and rose clay, which together exfoliate, cleanse, and clarify the scalp, riding it of product build-up, excess oil, dead skin, and even pollution residue. If those ingredients sound similar to the ones you find in your skin-care products, that's because they are. Sunday Riley formulated it that way because your scalp is essentially an extension of your face, meaning serums can be just as effective.

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Aveeno's Foray Into Hair Care
amazon.com

Aveeno's Foray Into Hair Care

Aveeno also made strides into the hair realm with its vast line of new items. The 75-year-old brand, best known for its solutions-based skin-care products including eczema, acne, and more, dropped a collection of 25 products including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and even styling sprays. The main ingredients in the line span from oats to apple cider vinegar, each targeting different hair needs. From dull to dry ends, the product lineup covers the main bases of hair care issues, just as Aveeno's skin-care products have done for years.

Aveeno's line of hair care features eight different shampoo and conditioner sets. One of the products in the line is this Aveeno Kefir Probiotic Blend Shampoo ($7). It's infused with probiotic kefir extract to help moisturize and soften hair.

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If you're looking for ultra-lightweight moisture, opt for the Aveeno Cotton Blend Leave-In Light Moisture Conditioning Mist ($12). It protects hair from styling heat while also providing frizz control.

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Gorgeous, shiny hair is only one wash away when you use the Aveeno Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar In-Shower Hair Rinse ($7). It has clarifying properties that add high shine to hair while also rebalancing hair's pH.

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Infused with oats, rosemary, peppermint and cucumber, this Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Shampoo Dry ($15) not only smells good, but feels good! It adds volume to hair and leaves it as fresh as can be.