Dry shampoo needs a makeover

INSIGHT (what we need)

Removing hair build-up may not need water or harsh aerosols.

Over cleaning is harmful to hair, scalp and skin health. Yet, we all know too well that “in between” washes phase when build up at the roots starts to get a little gnarly. Post workouts and brisk walks are the worst, where solutions like scalp washing can be clumsy or blow outs to redistribute oils time consuming. So we succumb to that additional wash which isn’t doing your scalp any favors.

This is where the dry shampooing innovations stepped onto the scene many decades ago. But even with big shifts towards less chemical shampoo options across the board, aerosols still fall into that ‘iffy’ category. Regardless, I’ve seen even the most devout eco-product advocates grab these off the shelves for their sheer convenience. Seventy percent of the top brands contain benzene, a chemical linked to certain blood cancers. And independent studies show that dry shampoos have significantly higher levels of this because they come from the propellent that sprays the product out of the can. The ingredients list of the ‘product’ itself may even be labeled as “clean, quality ingredients”, despite the propellent containing poisonous contaminants. Much of which is also difficult to capture in standard testing because the application is airborne. 

Dry shampoos have been able to stay under the radar more easily from statements by their large conglomerates that these occasional use products ‘don’t carry enough parts per million to cause a health concern’. Yet, these are not one-time use products. In fact, many people use sprays several times a day to keep that oily scalp at bay (and the more you use, the more this exacerbates). In reality, the supply chains that bring consumers their grooming products are complex, global, and difficult to track. And if you’ve ever used a dry shampoo, you’re holding your breath and screwing up your face like you just took a shot of tequila when you shouldn’t have. You know it wasn’t good for you.

Yet our greasy problems remain — along with this dangerous category of products that are flying off the shelves at a 22% growth rate from last year and continuing to make the top 10 must lists in popular beauty magazines.

How might we tackle in-between washes for hair and scalp with a truly healthy, eco-friendly alternative? 

INSPIRATION (what we want)

Magnetic Soap: scientists invent the world’s first soap that can be controlled.

Over a decade ago, scientists at the University of Bristol were able to create the world’s first magnetic soap. Made of iron-rich salts that dissolve in water (and other surfactants), this solution is able to create magnetic centers inside the soap particles. With these suspended micelles, scientists are then allowed to run a magnet to both overcome gravity and surface tension when drawing the soap bubble away — along with its attached chemical culprit.

A definite “Eureka!” moment for the implications this could have on cleanup solutions not only for a wide range of industries, but also oil spills at sea. This innovation still needs time to “bubble” as they are working on wide spread applications that are stable, safe and cost effective. However, we find this discovery to have exciting implications for the future personal care products industry and positive repercussions on waste management. For instance, imagine if you could separate household cleaning product waste (like we do toilet waste) in isolated home magnetic cleaning tanks before the waste water goes back into the municipal supply! Opportunities abound on a small scale too.

INNOVATION (what we wish for)

MagLift Kit: solve oily scalp issues post workout with a simple magnetic gel and clean up brush!

• Combat oily scalp safely with a physical solution that lifts dirt particles from your hair and scalp through a magnetic gel technology.

• MagLift gel is a nourishing water-based serum comprised of botanicals and healthy mineral salts. Iron-rich salts are added with a light surfactant to trap excess oil and dirt into magnetized micelles.

• Apply a lightweight gel to your scalp and thoroughly rub with your fingers to coat the excess oil and dirt. 

• Use the MagLift Brush by switching on the current to magnetically attract the micelles (particles trapping oil and dirt) to adere the brush bristles. Turn off while washing brush to remove.

• Continue to brush for 1-3 minutes until the gel dries and your hair feels clean. Blow dry any remaining moistness for a “out of salon” voluminous effect. 

• Brush designed to give the scalp a circulatory massage while lifting unwanted oil and dirt without harsh chemicals.