The Perks Of Partnering With Natural Hair Product Wholesalers
Choosing clean and natural hair product wholesalers is more important than ever for new hair care brands.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits of natural hair care, and your competitors are already stepping up to meet the market’s new expectations.
But with so many manufacturers making empty promises of clean or natural products without delivering the goods, how can you find the clean and natural hair product wholesalers that offer the real deal?
Our in-depth guide below outlines all you need to know in the search for genuine natural hair product manufacturers. We reveal the key synthetic ingredients to avoid, the benefits of natural ingredients for hair, and how to find the labs that create truly high-quality, clean, and natural hair products.
What Is ‘Natural’ Hair Care?
‘Natural’ hair products typically refer to cosmetics formulated with naturally derived ingredients and without any synthetic additives.
To date, hair care brands are left in the dark about what is considered natural under US law. The FDA/FTC has yet to provide a legal definition of ‘natural’ cosmetics or set formula thresholds.
But don’t get too liberal with the term ‘natural’ - Cosmetic Business notes that beauty brands have faced legal repercussions from the FTC for misleading consumers by labeling their products ‘natural’.
To avoid further confusion, Congress introduced the Natural Cosmetics Act in late 2021. If approved, it will require the FDA to define ‘natural’ and ‘naturally derived ingredient’ for hair care and other cosmetic products.
If natural is your niche, choose hair product wholesalers who are knowledgeable about these upcoming legal changes, and can offer consulting services to guide you through the product creation process legally.
During this period of legal transition, focusing on the clean hair care market as a whole is a safer bet. Clean beauty offers an opportunity to capture a wider audience by incorporating a combination of natural, scalp-safe, and cruelty-free ingredients into your formulas.
At Genie Supply, we’re specialists in clean beauty manufacturing and also provide consulting services to help grow your natural hair care brand using a clear and legally compliant strategy. Learn more about our consultancy services on our website here.
Why Work With Natural Hair Product Wholesalers?
With a spotlight placed on cosmetic ingredients on social media and in the press, consumers are more aware of the potential dangers of certain ingredients than ever.
Hair care brand owners, in particular, need to stay in the loop when it comes to the safety and cleanliness of their formulas, as many of the cosmetic ingredients with the worst reps are prevalent in hair care.
For example, there is industry-wide concern about the safety of synthetic silicones and sulfates - two ingredient categories that are difficult to replace in hair care formulas.
That’s why it’s essential to collaborate with a specialist clean or natural product wholesaler if avoiding potentially damaging synthetic ingredients is your goal.
Not only are there question marks around the health and safety of these ingredients, but they can also have damaging effects on the quality and appearance of the hair.
Ingredients To Avoid In Natural Hair Product Formulas
Silicones help smooth frizz, detangle, and add shine. However, research from 2019 highlights that they can cause product buildup on the scalp - leading to greasiness and dryness over time.
Sulfates are surfactants that help to strip these stubborn silicones (along with any dirt or oil) from the hair. The problem is sulfates are often too effective. Cleansing with harsh sulfates results in dryness, frizziness, and brittle hair in the long run.
In many cases, there are natural solutions to these issues. A group of Brazilian researchers in 2018 found that hair formulas containing olive oil and Brazil nut oil were more effective than silicones at improving the appearance and health of hair cuticles - including criteria like softness, hydration, and strength.
However, this topic is more complex – synthetic ingredients aren't always harmful, and some are more safe and effective than natural alternatives.
For example, EWG suggests that Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is gentler and poses fewer health concerns compared to traditional ethoxylated alcohol sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Plus, a 2023 study confirmed that Sodium Olefin Sulfonates are safe when used at typical concentrations in cosmetic products.
Clean and natural-focused hair care brands combine both natural and synthetic ingredients that are kinder-to-scalp to create the safest and most effective hair care formulas possible.
At Genie Supply, we’re experts at formulating clean and safe hair care. Our products are formulated without over 2,000+ potentially harmful ingredients, and we don’t use any silicones in our formulas (yes, even linear silicones). Learn more about our commitment to clean and natural hair care on our website here.
The Benefits Of Natural Ingredients In Hair Care Products
Although there is a gray area surrounding the exact legal definition of ‘natural’ hair products, there’s zero doubt that there’s a strong market demand for natural hair care.
According to GrandViewResearch, the global market for natural hair care products was valued at $8.74 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% between 2020 and 2027.
While many popular hair ingredients originate in the lab, natural ingredients hold their own and are already established staples in best-selling hair products.
From plant oils to tree butters, nature is brimming with natural ingredients that provide incredible benefits for nourishing, soothing, and enhancing shine in hair.
Rosebay Extract
Rosebay extract, also known as the fireweed plant or Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, is a natural ingredient known for its ability to improve scalp health. It is particularly favored for its anti-dandruff and anti-irritant hair care benefits.
According to UL Prospector, rosebay extract inhibits 5α-reductase activity, reduces the appearance of dandruff flakes, soothes scalp irritation, and decreases the production of sebum.
At Genie Supply, rosebay extract is a star ingredient in our detoxifying scalp exfoliator. Order samples of our scalp exfoliator directly from our website here.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is one of the most widely used natural ingredients in hair care. A study from 2009 notes that jojoba oil is similar in composition to sebum (the naturally occurring oil on the scalp).
It’s hydrating, adds shine and softness, prevents breakage, and improves the overall appearance and health of the hair.
At Genie Supply, jojoba oil is a key hydrating and moisturizing ingredient in our leave-in conditioner. Order a sample of our leave-in conditioner from our website here.
Fo-Ti
Fo-Ti or He Shou Wu (translated as ‘Black-haired Mr. He’) is a herb from the Polygonum multiflorum plant.
Commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, a 2023 academic review cites evidence that Fo-Ti stimulates hair growth and promotes pigmentation in the hair, which delays the graying process.
At Genie Supply, Fo-Ti is one of the standout anti-greying ingredients in our grey hair rewind serum. Order samples of our grey hair rewind serum from our website here.
Shea Nut Butter
As noted in UL Prospector, shea nut butter is extracted from the nuts of karite nut trees in West and Central Africa. It’s full of fatty acids, including oleic acid and stearic acid, which have moisturizing and emollient benefits for the hair.
A 2021 Korean study revealed that treating bleached hair with shea butter offered protective benefits - it increased hair thickness, improved amino acid levels, and smoothed the hair cuticle better compared to the control group.
At Genie Supply, shea butter is a crucial moisturizing ingredient in our conditioner base product. Try it for yourself by ordering a sample directly from our website here.
Finding High-Quality Natural Hair Product Wholesalers
Now that you’re up to speed on the importance of ingredient choice in hair care formulas, it’s time to search for clean and natural hair product wholesalers.
Start with basic Google searches for terms like ‘natural hair product wholesaler’. Quickly assess each lab’s website and make a shortlist of all the viable options.
Keep in mind that suppliers understand the appeal of natural hair products – expect to see a lot of natural ’washing’ without the clean credentials to back it up. Always assess the ingredient lists on suppliers’ websites, and look for genuine natural ingredients and cleaner synthetic choices where applicable.
Next, you need to ask yourself if you are interested in preformulated products, or if you want to create a natural hair care range from scratch. Narrow down the list further by ensuring each supplier’s manufacturing capabilities align with your brand’s goals. The more manufacturing methods on offer - the better.
If a lab's ingredients and manufacturing processes tick all your boxes, book a call to see if you’re a good fit.
At Genie Supply, we offer a wide range of manufacturing services to create genuine natural, and clean hair products. From bulk, private label, and custom product creation, to custom formulating, we have a method to suit every small business. Learn more about our manufacturing processes here.
In sum, working with natural hair product wholesalers is more important for small hair care brands than ever:
A legal definition of ‘natural’ with reference to cosmetics is likely to become law within the next decade. Natural product suppliers can help you navigate this legal transition
Natural hair labs can formulate without silicones and often use milder sulfates for healthier hair
Natural hair ingredients like rosebay extract, jojoba oil, fo-ti, and shea butter offer impressive moisturizing, hair growth, and scalp health benefits
It’s relatively easy to find natural hair product wholesalers online and shortlist your options based on ingredient quality and manufacturing range
Are you ready to create your own range of clean and natural hair products? Genie Supply is here to help! Get in touch via email: customerservice@geniesupply.com or call: (812) 3291105 to learn more about our natural hair product formulating capabilities.