Guest blog: why more salons are using "free from" beauty products

Caroline Biggs, founder of natural skincare brand Infinatura, explores the trend of “free from” beauty and why it could be a lucrative avenue for your business.

The beauty industry is changing, with a growing trend – with both consumers and salon owners – towards wanting to use products with less chemicals in. 

Many professional brands are now promoting that their products are paraben-free, mineral oil-free, SLS-sulphate-free and glycol-free, leading consumers to become more savvy and selective in their purchasing decisions.

Why are people becoming savvy about these products?

The public are becoming much more educated on this topic, able to research brands and ingredients online, read press articles and reviews, and connect with brands on social media.

For example, SLS-sulphates used in shampoo can penetrate the pores and sit within them, causing itching and redness, while some companies replace SLS with an organic larger molecule called SLSA which can´t penetrate the pores. Also, parabens are often used as a preservative and can also cause skin irritation in some cases.

As a result, beauty therapists and salon owners are being asked more and more if they sell free from products, and it is now becoming an important aspect of the business – especially if you have clients with sensitive skin or allergies who want to avoid harsh chemicals.

Natural ingredients tend to be harvested and produced in an environmentally-friendly way, without the use or addition of unwanted chemicals, so those with sensitive skin don´t have to worry about what they’re applying to their body. 

What are the benefits of “free from” skincare?

It’s no wonder that salons are now starting to stock skincare products free from the above ingredients. If you want to make the transition, here’s five ways you can educate your clients on the benefit of using free-from skincare:

1. Explain what petroleum based oils (mineral oils, paraffin oils) are and that your products don´t contain them

2. Ask clients about any potential allergies, explaining that some ingredients can cause irritation to sensitive skin

3. Explain that your products are free from the ingredients listed above and are less likely to cause a reaction

4. Encourage your clients to do their own research online

5. Explain that natural products tend to be gentler on the skin and hair with long-term use.

Caroline Biggs is founder of natural skincare brand Infinatura and an international distributor for hair and beauty products at KCI Hair & Beauty. She has 34 years of expertise working and teaching in the beauty industry worldwide. Infinatura is available at Alan Howard stores.