Over the decades, humans have had an up-and-down relationship with frizz. In the 1980s, the perm was all the rage. And those big curls came with one common side effect: a whole lot of fuzz. Some embraced it, but others did everything they could to control it. And, while styles and trends have changed in the decades since, the story is very similar now. Whether you’ve got fine hair, thick hair, a mane of tight curls, or a barnet of loose waves, if you want absolutely no frizz, we’ve got you covered. All of these eco gels will help to tame hair frizz and leave your locks looking healthy and luscious. Plus, they’re eco-friendly too — here’s why that part is so important.
Why choose eco gel products?
The global haircare market is massive. Right now, it’s worth more than $77 billion, which means that a heck of a lot of products are flying off shelves every day. This is all well and good for our hair, but, when you consider most of these products are packaged in single-use plastic, for the planet, it’s the equivalent of a really bad hair day. Really, really bad.
Plastic isn’t biodegradable, which means that any bottles thrown away now won’t break down in the environment for years to come. And when they do, they’ll turn into microplastics. But packaging pollution is only one of the haircare industry’s environmental problems. Ingredients are another issue.
Parabens, for example, are a common preservative. They have become the enemy of clean beauty lovers because of the potential harm they can do — not just to our bodies, but to the planet too. For example, in 2008, research confirmed a link between butylparaben and coral death, according to the Environmental Working Group.
And while natural ingredients are often considered to be “greener” options, this isn’t always the case. Palm oil, for example, is a natural ingredient, and it is used in everything from makeup to food to hair care. But, while it can be harvested responsibly, much of its cultivation is driving deforestation and habitat destruction around the world. In Indonesia, the industry is responsible for destroying around one-third of old-growth forests.
Best eco gels for taming frizz
When it comes to hair care, choosing the right products for you and the planet can be confusing. That’s why we’ve picked these five eco gels, each of which comes from brands that are committed to doing the right thing for the environment. And taming your frizz, of course.
1. Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Gel
There’s a reason this hair gel won an Allure Best of Beauty 2022 Award. The formula is packed with nutrients (aloe vera, cucumber, and chlorophyll are all sources of antioxidants), and it will help to smooth and tame frizz, while still feeling soft and lightweight after application. Rahua is also known for its commitment to sustainability (its packaging is recyclable) and the health of the rainforest. The brand has even worked closely with Amazonian Indigenous people to produce legal tools for the preservation of around 150,000 acres of rainforest.
2. Ceremonia Pequi Styling Gel
Ceremonia’s clean, medium-hold hair gel is powered by pequi oil, açaí, and aloe that nourishes while it styles, leaving hair super shiny without feeling sticky. Ceremonia’s signature fragrance has soft, woody notes with a hint of lemon zest. Plus, the brand meets Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive Guidelines, making it not only a clean choice, but a better one for the planet, too.
3. Holy Curls
Tame your curly tresses with this post-conditioner treatment. The cruelty-free formula uses natural ingredients to soften, hydrate, hold, and tame frizz. No sticky, crunchy curls, just soft, moveable and natural locks.
4. Aveda Brilliant Retexturing Gel
From the leader in natural haircare, this gel offers medium hold and shine. It’s ideal for textured, frizz-prone hair. Made from natural ingredients and packaged in sustainable, post-consumer tubing. Aveda is also the first beauty company to manufacture to use 100 percent wind power at its primary production facility, which has also achieved Zero Industrial Waste to Landfill status.
5. Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel
This concentrated, cream-based, healthy vegan hair gel does more than just tame frizz; its prickly pear, pumpkin seed, and almond oil base elongates, moisturizes, and defines without drying out your hair, making it crunchy, or tacky. The minty oil trio: wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint promotes a healthy scalp and a fresh feeling. Another Clean at Sephora product, Adwoa also comes in 100 percent recyclable packaging.
6. Aveda Confixor
Another Aveda gel — this one’s ideal for fine to medium hair. A wheat protein base, Confixor helps to condition hair while taming frizz and delivering a lasting hold and definition. You’ll love the smell of this gel, scented with Aveda’s own blend of certified organic ylang ylang, petitgrain, and lavender.
7. Wash and Go Flaxseed Gel
Made with 100 percent organic flaxseed, this is a natural gel without synthetic ingredients. The flax delivers potent omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to nourish and strengthen hair — especially curls. Jojoba and avocado oil add moisture and definition to tackle frizz and keep curls looking great.
Related on Ethos:
- 7 Sustainable, Natural Hair Care Products for Every Hair Type
- Meet Nuele: The Science-Based All-Natural Hair Care That Will Change Your Life
- Does Organic Hair Care Make a Difference? Why the Experts At John Masters Organics Say Yes.
- Why Davines Is Betting on Regenerative Agriculture for Better Beauty Ingredients
- Sustainability and Asian Representation: Why Phillip Lim Partnered With Aveda
All products featured on Ethos have been independently selected by our editorial team.
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