What is Hair Cycling?
Hot Off The Heels of Skin Cycling, Hair Cycling Is The New Trend You Need To Try.
In 2022 skin cycling took over the beauty world. Well, now your hair care routine is about to get the same treatment. As with skin cycling, hair cycling involves alternating products in order to achieve the healthiest, most optimal results for your hair and scalp.
What is Hair Cycling?
Just as skin cycling was designed to allow skin a chance to recover from actives and drive results while minimizing irritation, hair cycling alternates between products like clarifying shampoos and deeply hydrating hair masks to prevent product build-up, tackle scalp and hair concerns like dryness, dandruff and excess oil, and restore moisture and shine.
How Does Hair Cycling Work?
Ready to give hair cycling a whirl? Here’s how it works: The first cycle focuses on detoxifying and clarifying the hair and scalp with a pre-wash treatment to remove buildup on the scalp.
Start by doing a double wash with an exfoliating shampoo. Double cleansing is essential here because the first wash removes product build up from the hair, while the second wash cleans the scalp. Next up is a moisture-rich conditioner and, finally, a nourishing hair oil.
The second cycle (in other words, the next time you wash your hair) is all about recovery, repair, and restoring hydration. Double-cleanse using a hydrating shampoo to restore moisture and shine. Follow this with a hydrating hair mask and, finally, a leave-in treatment targeted to your hair's specific needs (like frizz prevention or curl control).
How Often Should You Hair Cycle?
Depending on how often you use styling products, you should aim to repeat this every two to four weeks, resuming your regular routine in between cycles.
What Do I Need To Try Hair Cycling?
To carry out a hair cycling routine you will need a scalp treatment, clarifying and exfoliating shampoo, a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, a hydrating hair mask and a leave-in treatment. While you may already have many of these products in your bathroom, here are some recommendations for incorporating our favorite clean hair products into your hair cycling routine.
HAIR CYCLE ONE
Detoxify:
Act + Acre Cold Processed Scalp Renew
A gentle scalp exfoliator and detoxifier that employs Salicylic Acid to clear away flakes, sensitivity, and itchiness caused by dry, itchy scalp. The Scalp Renew works triple duty to remove product build-up, support the natural balances of sebum/oil levels, and soothe an irritated scalp.
JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
This pre-wash treatment works to nourish and clarify the scalp while helping remove leftover product. Hemisqualane works to promote healthy hair, while bisabolol calms and clarifies the scalp.
Exfoliate:
Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Perfect for gently removing buildup while restoring hydration to the scalp and stimulating blood flow, which aids in hair growth. This unique shampoo is made with Himalayan pink salt, nourishing cold-pressed moringa oil, and pure unfiltered rosehip oil to purify and detoxify in one go. We love the refreshing scent of rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint.
Rahua Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo
This shampoo scrub hybrid removes dead skin cells and buildup, and improves blood circulation, promoting a healthy microbiome and improving overall hair health. Formulated with aromatic crushed star anise as a gentle, tactile exfoliant, along with superfruit enzymes of organic mango and passion fruit.
Condition:
Saya Argan Conditioner
A sulfate-free conditioner that was formulated to leave hair feeling hydrated with a soft, glossy finish. The blend of macadamia and argan oils nourishes split ends while helping to keep frizz at bay.
Augustinus Bader The Conditioner
This conditioner was formulated to help refresh the hair and scalp while also combatting breakage and preventing damage. Oat kernel oil nourishes, soothes and supports the elasticity of the hair cuticle, while Augustinus Bader’s proprietary TFC8® technology supports cellular renewal and natural hair growth.
Treat:
Innersense Harmonic Healing Oil
Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients, this treatment oil is formulated with a blend of emollient oils and flower essences, including sacred tamanu, evening primrose and macadamia oils, that deliver hydration and nourishment.
14th Night The Hair Elixir
Rich in essential vitamins and antioxidants, this luxurious hair treatment features pomegranate, argan, and sweet almond oils and is formulated to be extra light and highly absorbent, leaving hair shiny with a radiant glow.
HAIR CYCLE TWO
Cleanse:
Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath
This ultra hydrating shampoo is perfect for hair that needs an extra boost of hydration. Formulated with a blend of sage and tamanu essential oils to help control excess oil, while nourishing emollients smooth and soften hair from the root.
Grown Alchemist Nourishing Shampoo
This gentle nutrient-rich formulation leaves hair clean, shiny and nourished. Perfect for daily use, it combines soothing azulenes and flavonoids found in chamomile and damask rose to reduce scalp dryness, while bush tomato, which is rich in lycopene and vitamin C, nourishes the hair, noticeably increasing manageability and strength.
Condition:
JVN Complete Instant Recovery Serum
This serum doubles up as a treatment and style primer with heat protection. It equalizes porosity (your hair’s ability to retain moisture), and smooths and hydrates, thanks to hemisqualane and niacinamide. All of this, while reducing the appearance of split ends and creating a soft, touchable finish.
Stripes The Crown Pleaser
A hydrating, densifying hair mask powered with amino acids to improve shine and a trio of plant extracts that revitalize thinning hair, while ectoine uses smart-targeted hydration to distribute moisture to where the scalp needs it most.
Treat:
Rahua Hydration Detangler & UV Barrier
This moisturizing formula also softens hair, smooths frizz, and prevents breakage and damage while morete oil provides a UV defense barrier and provides color-treated hair with photoprotection.
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
This lightweight leave-in conditioner is infused with emollient oils, fragrant herbs, flower essences and honey to maintain body and manageability, boost moisture and add shine.
