When the mineral trend hit makeup, it exploded due to the grandiose claims and benefits associated with it. Mineral makeup is more natural, better for your skin, and supposedly improves your complexion. With claims like these, it’s no wonder that mineral makeup became the new “it” thing. Well, it looks like that trend has spilled over into the hair realm. Companies, like Mineral Fusion (which also makes mineral makeup) and OGX, claim that their unique blend of minerals strengthen hair, maximize shine, increase the longevity of colored hair and promote overall hair health. But is it too good to be true?
I was skeptical of the minerals’ ability to penetrate the hair strand, which would need to happen for the benefits to truly take place. Often, conditioners can’t really live up to their claims because they simply coat the hair rather than penetrate the hair structure.
So are minerals like smithsonite, malachite, hematite and rhodochrosite small enough to go further than coating your hair?
Unfortunately, I can’t really tell you. However, I can tell you that my research did not yield any kind of evidence that proves that the external application of minerals can improve hair health.
Furthermore, I didn’t see any minerals on sale on the ingredients websites I frequent and if minerals are so beneficial to hair, they would most likely be there. I did find kelp powder, but only in relation to skincare. With the plethora of hair information now available, I think it’s interesting that no one went beyond making a claim to explain how it would actually work. My thought is that it would be like protein, where it “fills in” the gaps in your hair strand, therefore strengthening your strand. But because of the lack of information available, I can’t even confirm that.
I would like to see more information or research regarding the effects of minerals on hair, but for now it looks like I’m going to file this under another “hair trend” or “ingredient buzzword” developed by marketing teams. But if you’re interested in mineral hair care, trying the products won’t hurt (I have the Mineral Fusion conditioner and it’s actually really nice). Just be sure to look at the rest of ingredients and avoid drying alcohols or other ingredients that may cause dryness or breakage. Minerals can still be beneficial to hair — just take them in vitamin form.
Have you tried products with minerals on your hair? Do you think they are beneficial?